If you are researching the fastest-growing franchises, you probably want to separate real momentum from marketing hype. Strong growth can point to real demand and a business model that works for new owners. It is also only one part of a smart buying decision.
This guide explains what the fastest-growing franchises are and how their growth gets measured. It also covers which industries lead in 2026 and how to check a brand before you invest.
Key Takeaways
- The fastest-growing franchises are the brands adding the most net new locations in a year, a signal of demand and a working model.
- Most growth rankings use FDD Item 20 unit data, so the numbers are public and worth checking yourself.
- For 2026, commercial and residential services (which includes pest control) rank among the fastest-growing franchise industries.
- Fast growth is one factor, not a guarantee. Weigh the unit economics and owner satisfaction behind the growth before you buy.
- Always read the Franchise Disclosure Document and talk to current and former owners before you invest.
What Are the Fastest-Growing Franchises?
The fastest-growing franchises are the brands that add the most new locations in a single year. Each location, often called a unit or territory, is a separate business that an owner runs under the brand’s name and system.
Fast growth usually signals two things: customers want the service, and the model works well enough for new owners to keep opening. That is why buyers watch these lists closely.
Franchising is a large and growing part of the U.S. economy, which is one reason these lists draw so much attention from buyers. The 2026 Franchising Economic Outlook projects over 12,000 new franchised businesses in 2026, with economic output rising by 1.6%, exceeding $920 billion, and the creation of nearly 8.9 million jobs.
How Franchise Growth Is Measured
Most rankings measure net unit growth. That means the new locations a brand opened in a year, minus the ones that closed. Net growth beats a simple opening count because it also captures the units that failed to survive.
These counts come from a legal document called the Franchise Disclosure Document, or FDD. Item 20 of the FDD lists a brand’s outlet numbers across recent years, so the growth figures are public and easy to check.
For example, Entrepreneur’s annual list is ranked by net unit growth. It covers the top 150 fastest-growing franchises for 2025. The ranking is based on net franchise unit growth across the U.S. and Canada from July 2023 to July 2024.
When two brands add a similar number of units, rankings often break the tie by percentage growth. Keep in mind that a high ranking shows momentum. It does not prove the business is the right fit for you.
Which Franchise Industries Are Growing Fastest in 2026
Growth is not spread evenly across the franchise world. Some industries expand faster than others, and that mix shifts from year to year.
The fastest-growing franchise industries for 2026 are led by two categories. The International Franchise Association expects child services and commercial and residential services to grow fastest, at a year-over-year rate of 3.2%.
Commercial and residential services cover work that homes and businesses need on a regular schedule. Pest control services fits squarely in that group. These services tend to grow because demand is steady and repeat customers are common.
Why Pest Control Ranks Among the Fast-Growing Categories
Pest control is a home and commercial service with recurring, seasonal demand. Homeowners want mosquito and pest protection year after year, which can turn into predictable revenue for owners.
Mosquito Authority is one example of a growing pest control system, and it runs as a pest control franchise opportunity built on recurring service. According to the brand’s 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document (Item 20), its network of Mosquito and Pest franchised businesses grew from 217 units at the end of 2022 to 246 at the end of 2024. That same filing shows 22 new businesses opened and 5 closed in 2024.
The 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document also reports that, as of December 31, 2024, 154 Mosquito Authority franchisees owned 546 franchised businesses, up from 539 a year earlier. The brand is part of a dual-brand pest control franchise family covering mosquito control and full-service pest work.
Per the brand’s own franchise program, the model leans on recurring service through bundled protection programs. Mosquito Authority also offers a 30% discount on second and additional territories for multi-unit owners, plus a Pro Authority certification program for owners and technicians.
“Pest pressure comes back every season, so good service turns into repeat business,” says Bobby Rycroft, VP of Growth and Strategy at Mosquito Authority. “That recurring demand is what makes home services a durable place to build a franchise.”
Is a Fast-Growing Franchise a Good Investment?
Fast growth can be a good sign, but it does not guarantee a good investment. Rapid expansion can strain a franchisor’s support and service quality. It can also shrink the number of open territories left in your area.
Look past the growth headline at unit-level economics and owner satisfaction. Ask how much existing locations earn and how happy current owners are with the system.
Item 19 of the FDD is where you find financial performance data. According to Mosquito Authority’s 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document (Item 19), the average gross revenue of the 128 franchisees that operated 506 franchised businesses continuously through 2023 and 2024 was $464,599.95. That figure is historic and is not a promise of what any new owner will earn.
Cost basics belong in the same review. The same 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document lists an initial franchise fee of $25,000 for a Home Town territory or $45,000 for a full-size territory, with a 10% royalty on gross revenues. Honorably discharged U.S. and Canadian veterans receive a 15% discount on that franchise fee.
“Growth tells you a brand is in demand, but the FDD tells you how the business actually performs,” says Amy Hamm, Vice President of Business Operations & Franchise Management at Mosquito Authority. “Read Item 19 and Item 20 together before you get excited about a ranking,” says Hamm.
How to Evaluate a Fast-Growing Franchise Opportunity
A little homework protects your money. Use a simple checklist before you sign anything.
- Read the full FDD. The FTC’s Franchise Rule requires franchisors to give buyers a disclosure document with 23 specific items of information.
- Check the numbers. Review Item 20 for unit trends and Item 19 for financial performance, so you see growth and earnings together.
- Mind the timing. You must receive the FDD at least 14 calendar days before signing a binding agreement or making any payment.
- Talk to owners. Call current and former franchisees to hear how the model works in real life.
- Weigh the support. A strong franchisor offers training and coaching, like the experienced franchise support team behind a brand’s certification program.
- Bring in advisors. Have an attorney and an accountant review the agreement and the financials with you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Franchise Is Growing the Fastest in 2026?
Rankings shift through the year, so no single brand holds the title for long. The clearest signal is net unit growth, which counts new locations opened minus those that closed.
Which Franchise Category Is Growing Fastest?
Commercial and residential services, which include pest control, rank among the fastest-growing categories for 2026, alongside child services. The industry section above covers the source and the growth rate.
Is a Fast-Growing Franchise a Good Investment?
Fast growth is one helpful factor, not a promise of profit. Weigh unit economics and owner satisfaction before you buy, and confirm whether territory is still available.
How Are Fastest-Growing Franchise Rankings Determined?
Most lists rank brands by net unit growth over a year, using the outlet data in Item 20 of the FDD. Ties often break by percentage growth.
What Should I Check Before Buying a Fast-Growing Franchise?
Read the full FDD and review Item 19 and Item 20 before you speak with current and former owners. An attorney and an accountant should review the details with you too.
Find the Right Fast-Growing Franchise for You
The fastest-growing franchises can open the door to strong demand and a proven system. The smartest buyers still slow down to read the FDD and compare unit economics before they commit. Talking to current owners is the final gut check.
If recurring revenue and home services interest you, pest control through Pest Authority and Mosquito Authority is worth a closer look. Explore more franchising resources and guides to keep learning, then take the next step.
Get our FREE eBook to see how a dual-brand pest control model builds recurring revenue and multi-unit growth.
