2026 has brought a surge of interest in franchise ownership, as more professionals explore it as the next step in their career.
Dion Garnett, the founder of Franchise Sells, said the market has shifted rapidly from a "ghost town" to a wave of new interest.
“At the end of 2025, no one was buying,” Garnett said. “We’re in the third month of the year, and all of a sudden, there are a lot of inquiries.”
According to Garnett, much of this renewed interest comes from economic uncertainty and concerns about long-term job stability. These professionals want to explore business ownership as a way to take control of their future. This trend also includes an increase in international buyers exploring business ownership through visa programs, such as the EB-5.
Through his company, Garnett helps these aspiring entrepreneurs identify franchise opportunities that match their skills, goals and budget. While interest is picking up, he noted there are still major things people get wrong about franchise ownership.
Misconception 1: It costs millions of dollars to start
The assumption that they need millions of dollars to buy a franchise is the biggest hurdle for many. Many people think only of giant national brands, such as McDonald’s, which can cost nearly $2 million to open when including the land and building.
However, many franchises require much less of a startup cost.
Service-based businesses, including senior care or home services, often operate without a storefront to keep costs down.
For these types of businesses, the average total investment is closer to $150,000. Additionally, owners can often use their retirement accounts to help fund the purchase.
Misconception 2: You must be an industry expert
Many people believe they need to be an expert in a specific field to own a business in it. In reality, franchise systems are designed so the owner can focus on managing the business rather than doing the technical work.
For example, owners do not need to be licensed electricians to own an electrical franchise. The franchise provides the training, support and established processes. This allows the owner to lead the team while trained employees handle the technical tasks.
How Franchise Sells simplifies the path
Franchise Sells helps people find the right match for free.
The process starts with a consultation and a franchise education course. Then, potential buyers take a two-part assessment that looks at their leadership style and interests. This ensures the business fits the owner’s personality and daily working style.
Once a franchise is chosen, Garnett connects owners with a free advisory network of financial planners, bankers and attorneys to help them launch.
To further help beginners, Garnett is launching a new educational platform within the next six months. This site will teach "the average Joe" about franchise terms and the seven steps of buying a business.
The bottom line
As more professionals look for independence in 2026, franchising is becoming a popular path. Franchise Sells aims to remove the fear of the unknown and make the journey easier for franchise owners.
Click here to learn more about Franchise Sells today.
The above story was produced by Senior Multi-Platform Journalist Sydney Heller with Community Impact's Storytelling team with information solely provided by the local business as part of their "sponsored content" purchase through our advertising team.
