10 Best States for Franchising in 2025

Have you heard the news? The International Franchise Association (IFA) recently dropped their 2025 Franchising Economic Outlook, and it's packed with fascinating insights.

One of the most compelling pieces of data highlighted in the report is the top ten states poised for franchise growth this year.

In this blog post and video, we'll dive into the IFA's findings and explore how you can capitalize on these trends by franchising with Jack in the Box.

Regional Trends Point to Southeast & Southwest

According to FranData, a leading industry source for tracking franchising, the Southeast and Southwest regions are projected to continue leading the nation in new franchise establishments, employment, and overall output in 2025. This growth is fueled by business-friendly policies and significant population increases as people relocate to these areas.

The Top 10 States for Franchise Growth in 2025

The states leading the pack for franchise growth cited in the 2025 Franchising Economic Outlook are:

1. Georgia
2. North Carolina
3. South Carolina
4. Virginia
5. Pennsylvania
6. Tennessee
7. Arizona
8. Florida
9. Colorado
10. Maryland

These ten states are anticipated to add a staggering 285,000 franchise units, create three million jobs, and generate over $300 billion in output in 2025 alone.

Let's take a closer look at some of these promising markets and the opportunities Jack in the Box offers.

Georgia

• A franchise capital of the United States with a 3.3% expected franchise growth rate.
• Jack in the Box has identified approximately 246 open market points for development.
• Currently, 15 commitments are in place across central and southeastern Georgia, including Augusta, Macon, and Savannah.

North Carolina

• A very attractive state for franchising, projected to have a 5.5% growth rate in franchise units.
• Jack in the Box has a strong existing presence in Charlotte with 18 operating restaurants and 14 additional commitments.
• An additional 218 opportunities are identified across the state, including Raleigh, Greensboro, Wilmington, and Greenville.

Virginia

• Continues to experience population growth in major metropolitan areas like DC, Richmond, and the Tidewater region.
• Over 200 opportunities have been identified for new Jack in the Box locations.
• The state has approximately 23,000 franchise establishments, with an expected growth of 2.5%.

Arizona

• Another hot growth state for franchising with a projected 2.6% franchise growth.
• Jack in the Box already has a significant presence, offering opportunities in edge markets.
• Approximately 11 additional opportunities are available to join the existing operational market.

South Carolina

• Benefiting from the overall growth in the Southeast.
• Jack in the Box currently has 8 open stores with 104 identified market points for development.
• The state is projected to have a 2.7% franchise growth rate.

Pennsylvania

• A new frontier for Jack in the Box, with no current locations.
• Nearly 300 opportunities have been targeted across the state.
• Ideal for pioneers looking to introduce the Jack in the Box brand to a new market.

Tennessee

• Another strong Southeast market.
• Jack in the Box has 4 open stores with 16 future store commitments.
• Expects a 3.2% franchise growth rate with over 120 identified market points, including opportunities in Nashville, Knoxville, and Memphis.

Florida

• One of the fastest-growing markets in the US, experiencing significant population growth.
• Despite having 62,000 existing franchise establishments, the population growth creates further opportunities.
• Jack in the Box has 27 commitments for new units and will be opening its first locations in the state within the next 6-9 months.

Colorado

• A strong growth state with a projected 2.5% franchise growth rate.
• Jack in the Box has an existing presence with 18 open restaurants.
• Approximately 83 additional restaurants can be built, with opportunities in markets like Lakewood, Aurora, Colorado Springs, and Boulder.

Maryland

• Projected 2.4% growth rate for franchise establishments.
• Franchise output is projected to reach $18.1 billion in 2025.
• Jack in the Box is not pursuing Maryland at this time.

Key Takeaway

Jack in the Box offers significant "white space" availability in these top 10 fastest-growing states for franchising. Whether you are an existing franchisee, a multi-unit operator, or looking to enter the franchising world for the first time, Jack in the Box, a well-established brand of over 70 years, provides a prime opportunity to grow in these dynamic markets. They are actively seeking franchisees to expand their presence in these promising locations.

Check Out These Additional Resources

We hope this article gave you a better understanding of the best states for franchising from this year.

At Jack in the Box, we work with our franchisees every step of the way in order to get their restaurants up and running.

Here are some additional online resources you may like to check out:

• 5 Reasons to Buy a Burger Franchise
• How Much Does a Jack in the Box Franchise Cost?
• Which Burger Franchise Makes the Most Money?

If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to the Jack in the Box franchise team.