FRANdata is franchising’s leading provider of market research, performance analytics, and proprietary data. For over 30 years, they have helped Fortune 500 companies, the largest franchisors, and top private equity firms make smarter, faster, and more profitable decisions in franchising.
Their proprietary franchise database — the largest in the industry — encompasses thousands of franchise brands (and their parent companies) and hundreds of thousands of units and their owners, providing valuable visibility into the franchise ecosystem.
IFA partners with FRANdata on the annual Franchise Economic Outlook and the IFA Annual Franchisor Survey, which track emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities across the franchising. They also power high-profile industry rankings for Franchise Update Media, including the Multi-Brand 50 and Mega 99, important resources that assist executives and investors in identifying top-performing franchise organizations.
Each year, FRANdata analyzes the ownership patterns that shape the U.S. franchise economy. For franchisees—whether you are an established multi-unit operator or a first-time owner planning your next move—understanding how your industry compares to the larger franchise landscape can inform expansion decisions, competitive positioning, and long-term strategy.
This year’s analysis covers 433,558 franchised units, with 57% operated by multi-unit owners and 43% by single-unit owners.
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The franchise landscape continues to evolve, and the latest FRANdata research shows just how dramatically multi-unit ownership (MUO) has reshaped the sector over the past 15 years. Updated 2025 data reveals widespread expansion across every MUO category, signaling a continued shift toward consolidation, scale, and increasingly sophisticated operators. Here’s a closer look at what the numbers tell us.
The restaurant and beverage industry has long been the backbone of franchising — and it continues to evolve in compelling ways. From shifting consumer preferences to new concept categories gaining ground, the sector offers a rich picture of where the franchise industry is heading. Below, we break down the latest data on market composition, growth trends, and the opportunities and challenges that industry leaders should have on their radar.
America is aging — and the franchised senior care industry is rising to meet the moment. With the 65-and-older population now representing 18% of the U.S. and projected to reach 73 million people in 2025 alone, demand for quality senior care services has never been greater. This demographic shift is not a distant trend; it is happening now, and it is creating one of the most significant growth opportunities in all of franchising.
When the economy gets uncertain, people tend to take care of what they already have — and that instinct is fueling remarkable growth in the franchised home services industry. From repairs and maintenance to cleaning, pest control, and moving services, this sector delivers the kind of essential, needs-based value that resonates with consumers regardless of broader economic conditions. It’s no surprise that home services is projected to lead all franchised industries in growth in 2026.
Few industries offer the combination of personal purpose and proven business resilience that child-related services do — and within franchising, the sector is experiencing a particularly strong moment. Spanning early education and childcare, youth fitness and recreation, and a wide range of other child-focused concepts, the industry reflects deep and durable consumer demand driven by parents who continue to prioritize investment in their children’s development regardless of broader economic pressures.
Health and wellness has become one of franchising’s most resilient and rapidly expanding sectors — and the forces driving that growth show no signs of slowing. As medical costs rise and consumers increasingly prioritize prevention over treatment, demand for accessible, results-oriented health and fitness services continues to build. The industry now ranks as the third largest in franchising by total establishments, and it is still growing.
Pickleball has gone from backyard pastime to one of the fastest-growing sports in America — and franchising is moving quickly to capitalize on it. Player participation has surged 263.5% since 2014, with an 85.7% year-over-year increase that reflects a sport still very much in its growth phase. Younger, more affluent demographics are driving the shift, and the shortage of public courts has opened a clear lane for indoor club operators willing to offer quality, weather-proof, pay-to-play experiences.
Soccer is no longer a niche opportunity in U.S. franchising — and this FranData report makes the case in numbers. With outdoor participation surpassing 14 million players, a fan base that skews younger and more diverse than any other major sport, and the 2026 FIFA World Cup driving a new wave of cultural momentum, the conditions for franchise growth in soccer-related businesses have rarely been stronger.
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Visit FRANdata’s website to learn more.