The Hottest Franchise Brands of Fall 2025 (According to Real Buyers)

If you’ve ever caught yourself Googling “best franchises to own right now” and ended up overwhelmed, this episode is for you.

Ryan Zink and senior advisor Anthony Hudson walk through the Top 10 Hottest Franchise Brands of Fall 2025 – picked not by gut feel, but by real client demand.

Over the fall, our advisors introduced clients to more than 1,300 franchise brands. From there, clients chose which brands they actually wanted to meet with. The list below represents the ones they kept raising their hands for.

If you’re ready to explore franchise ownership and want a smart, curated starting point, this is your fall 2025 playbook.

How we actually picked these “hot brands”

This isn’t a random top 10 or a popularity contest in someone’s head.

Here’s how these brands made the cut:

• We made 1,300+ introductions from clients to vetted franchise brands over the fall.
  
  
• After reviewing their matches, clients selected which brands they wanted to dig into.
  
  
• The top 10 are the concepts that consistently rose to the top of those choices.
  
  
• Investment levels range from about $43,000 to $800,000, with typical down payments around 20%.
  
  
• Some concepts are home-based with no employees, others are retail with small teams.
  
  
• You’ll see a mix of B2C, B2B, home services, wellness and experiential models.
  
  

The key takeaway:

Franchising is way more accessible and flexible than most people think. There really is a lane for almost every budget, lifestyle and skill set.

Now let’s get into the list – from number 10 to number one.

10: Degree Wellness

Category: Beauty/Wellness
Model: Retail wellness studio
Typical team size: Six to seven employees

Degree Wellness lives in a space people are obsessed with right now: feeling better, aging better and recovering faster.

Why our clients keep choosing it:

• Recurring revenue from memberships and repeat services.
• A big chunk of the investment goes into equipment, not huge payroll or complex clinical staff.
• You don’t need to be a doctor – the technology and systems do the heavy lifting, backed by warranties and strong support.
• The brand has a solid leadership team, and our clients consistently report strong franchisor support.

If you like the idea of running a sleek, modern wellness studio with predictable recurring revenue, Degree tends to check a lot of boxes.

9: Golf Envy

Category: Sports/Recreation
Model: Indoor golf simulators
Typical team size: One to two employees

Golf Envy rides the wave of the booming indoor golf space, but with a big focus on experience.

Why it stands out:

• This isn’t a basic simulator you stick in a garage – it’s a high-end golf experience with moving platforms and realistic surfaces.
• The model leans into private memberships, which means recurring, predictable revenue.
• It attracts serious golfers and golf-obsessed markets, especially in cold-weather states where outdoor play is limited for months.
• Low employee count and a “hangout” vibe make it appealing for owners who want both business and lifestyle value.

If you love the idea of mixing hospitality, sports and memberships, Golf Envy earns its spot on the list.

8: Anderson Longevity Clinic

Category: Fitness/Health
Model: Retail, medical-lite clinic
Typical team size: Two to three employees

Anderson Longevity is in a category that’s exploding: TRT, hormones, peptides and longevity for both men and women.

Why buyers are drawn to it:

• It’s in a proven, high-demand space, not a fad.
• In-house bloodwork means faster answers and a smoother patient experience – no sending labs off and waiting days for results.
• Founder Dr. Anderson owns his own pharmacy, which streamlines access to product and helps avoid supply-chain headaches.
• The model is built on recurring revenue, long-term patient relationships and a wide addressable market.

If you want a business at the intersection of health, performance and aging well – with strong systems behind it – Anderson is worth a serious look.

7: Speedy Freight

Category: Personal Services
Model: Home-based consulting/sales
Typical team size: Start solo, grow to three to four employees

Speedy Freight helps businesses save money on logistics – without you owning trucks, warehouses or fleets.

What makes it attractive:

• Despite the “logistics” label, this is really a sales and consulting business.
• Franchisees don’t have to be logistics experts – the franchisor handles the heavy technical lifting.
• Speedy typically works as a revenue-share or savings-share model: They find savings, participate in those savings, and the client still wins.
• It targets business clients, which usually means real budgets and a clear ROI-driven value prop.

If you’re comfortable talking to business owners and like the idea of selling a “we save you money” solution, this is a strong B2B option.

6: Puddle Pools

Category: Home Services
Model: Pool maintenance
Typical team size: One to two employees

Puddle Pools taps into a simple truth: Once someone owns a pool, they don’t want to manage it themselves – but they absolutely need it maintained.

Why it resonates with clients:

• Led by a franchising veteran with a track record, not a first-time founder.
• Works in warm and cold climates – cold markets actually create high-ticket opening and closing services.
• Opportunity to go beyond homeowners into B2B clients like hotels, gyms, swim schools and community centers.
• Tech-forward systems allow owners to run the business from their phone and stay focused on growth and relationships.

If you want a straightforward, recurring service business in a niche that’s not going away, Puddle Pools fits the bill.

5: Gatsby Glass

Category: Home Services
Model: Home and business glass services
Typical team size: Five or less employees

Gatsby Glass lives in a category most people don’t notice until they’re in it: there’s glass everywhere – in homes, offices, gyms and more.

Why our clients like it:

• Strong technology and configurator tools make it easy for customers to design and price their projects.
• Serves both residential and commercial markets, increasing opportunity and repeat business.
• Glass projects can be high-ticket and highly visible, which drives referrals and reviews when you do great work.
• The brand positions owners to run a professional, best-in-market glass company, not a “guy with a truck” operation.

For someone who wants a solid, scalable service brand with real differentiation, Gatsby stands out.

4: Tiger Adjusters

Category: Home Services
Model: Public insurance adjusting
Typical team size: Under five employees

Tiger Adjusters steps in when property owners feel like their insurance payout doesn’t match the damage.

Why this concept hits a nerve (in a good way):

• The public adjuster space is under-served, which means wide-open opportunity.
• It’s a true win-win: Tiger fights for a higher payout, you pay your deductible and they participate in the improved result.
• You don’t need a background in insurance – Tiger provides licensing, training and support.
• Owners get to show up as the advocate: “I’m on your side, and I’m going to help you get what you’re entitled to.”

If you like the idea of helping people in stressful situations while building a high-value, professional service business, Tiger is a compelling option.

3: Schooley Mitchell

Category: Professional Services
Model: Cost reduction consulting (B2B)
Typical team size: Zero to five employees

Schooley Mitchell helps businesses cut everyday operating costs and then shares in those savings.

Why it keeps climbing the list:

• Low, predictable startup cost – no build-out, no storefront.
• No territories: if you get a referral across the country, it’s still your client.
• Franchisees focus on relationships and business development, not technical auditing.
• The franchisor handles the analysis, vendor negotiations and savings strategies.
• You can start part-time, build your book of business and grow into full-time ownership.

This model is built for people who like networking, introductions and talking ROI with business owners – without managing trucks, crews or inventory.

2: Pink Zebra

Category: Home Services
Model: Moving services (experience-focused)
Typical team size: One manager and three to five movers

Pink Zebra competes in a crowded space – moving – but completely changes how it feels for the customer.

What makes it different:

• It’s still a moving company … but with a heavy focus on experience and emotional relief.
• They may send clients out to dinner the night before to relieve stress.
• They leave gifts and surprises in the new home, so the move ends on a memorable high note.
• Because moving is such a stressful moment in life, this kind of experience becomes highly referral-friendly.

Most moving companies are forgettable. Pink Zebra is built to be the one people can’t stop talking about.

1: The Back 9

Category: Sports
Model: Indoor golf simulators
Typical team size: Owner-operator or very lean team

The Back 9 has been holding onto the No. 1 spot for months – and for good reason. It’s one of the most talked-about concepts we work with.

Why it’s consistently on top:

• About as close to semi-passive as you can realistically get – keyless entry, tech-enabled and low staff needs.
• Members can access the space 24/7 with secure entry.
• Works for serious golfers, casual groups and corporate memberships (events, team outings, client entertainment).
• Absolutely shines in cold-weather markets, where golf is limited but demand isn’t.

Creative ownership strategy:

In a work-from-home world, some owners are building a small office inside their Back 9 location. That lets them:

• Keep their day job
• Be physically present in their business
• Support their team and watch operations firsthand

For someone who wants to keep their income while stepping into business ownership, The Back 9 creates a unique bridge.

What these 10 brands tell us about today’s franchise market

Looking across the list, a few patterns stand out:

• Recurring revenue is king: Memberships, subscriptions and ongoing services dominate.
• Lean teams: Many of these concepts are owner-operator or small teams, which means fewer hiring headaches.
• B2B and B2C mix: You can choose between selling to homeowners, businesses or both.
• Longevity, wellness and quality of life are major themes: People want to look better, feel better and live easier.
• Technology and systems are doing more of the heavy lifting: This opens the door for owners without industry backgrounds.

Where Franchise Sidekick fits in

Think of Franchise Sidekick like a buyer’s agent in real estate – but for franchises:

• Our help is 100% free to you. We’re compensated by the franchisors if you end up moving forward.
• Our tech-driven system has helped people purchase over 10,000 franchise locations.
• We’ve earned a five-star rating on Google by staying in your corner and helping you avoid bad fits.

If one (or more) of these brands caught your eye – or you want to see which brands match your goals, budget and lifestyle – the easiest next step is:

👉 Watch this 20-minute webinar: 

Then, connect with a Sidekick Advisor and let us help you shortlist smart options, ask the right questions and negotiate on your behalf.

Because franchise ownership isn’t just about buying a business. It’s about designing a life where you call the shots.