Oklahoma franchise growth among highest in U.S. for 2025

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Franchising in the United States is expected to increase by more than 20,000 units and 210,000 jobs in 2025, and Oklahoma will see its fair share.

The 2025 Franchising Economic Outlook report from the International Franchise Association (IFA) projects franchise output will exceed $936.4 billion this year, an increase of 4.4% from 2024. The growth is expected to outpace the U.S. economy, which is projected to increase by 1.9% in 2025, according to the Congressional Budget Office.

Oklahoma’s franchise output is projected to grow by 9.4% to nearly $12.6 billion, one of the highest growth rates in the country.

The outlook report projects the number of franchise establishments in Oklahoma will grow by 2.2% to a total of 11,054 and the number of jobs will grow by 2.1% to 116,929.

Nationwide the number of franchise establishments is projected to increase by more than 20,000 units, or 2.5%, in 2025, and franchising is expected to add approximately 210,000 jobs, bringing franchising employment to more than 9 million jobs.

Personal services and retail food/products/services are expected to be the fastest-growing franchise industries in 2025, increasing by 4.3% and 3.5%, respectively.

Oklahoma City – now the 20th largest U.S. city – and Tulsa are franchise expansion targets for multiple businesses.

Recent announcements include The Red Chickz, a fast-casual restaurant known for putting a California twist on Nashville hot chicken, revealing plans to open its first Oklahoma location. New franchisee Jay Riaz will introduce The Red Chickz’ to the heart of Oklahoma City late this year or in the first quarter of 2026, according to the company.

Cold Stone Creamery – with two current stores in the state – announced plans to open eight new locations in Oklahoma City and Tulsa in the next 10 years. Its current locations are in Edmond and Oklahoma City.

Franchising spans more than 300 industries – from brands just getting their start to some of the most common household names – with reach around the world, according to IFA.

A key component of brand success is how they centralize and manage brand marketing for individual franchisees, IFA President and CEO Matthew Haller, notes in a new report released by Constant Contact.

The report looks at the state of franchise businesses in the U.S., how they are growing, top challenges and priorities for the year ahead.

Haller said IFA supports research efforts to understand how franchise brands are helping their local franchisees achieve marketing success through corporate-provided tools for social media, email, SMS and other strategic support.

“This is one of the incredible benefits of being in franchising – you’re in business for yourself, but not by yourself,” he said.

Constant Contact, in partnership with Ascend2 Research, surveyed marketing decision-makers working for franchisors (239 participants) and franchisees (264 participants) throughout the U.S. and Canada. Individuals surveyed represent businesses across all industries and company sizes.

Franchisors and franchisees were asked about their marketing priorities, autonomy, access, barriers to success, and training and support.

Findings show franchisors value control, while franchisees value autonomy.

The more control franchisees have over their own marketing efforts, the more satisfied they are; 61% with full control over messaging report being very satisfied, compared to just 38% of those with moderate control and 20% with limited or no control. Franchisees have a more positive perception of their autonomy when marketing controls are in the background and visible only to corporate.

Managing brand adherence and reputation across multiple markets is a top concern among franchisors (47%), but they also recognize the necessity for customization at the local level (37%). Failure to unify these needs at a strategic level can lead to inconsistent branding, inefficient operations, and missed opportunities for growth, the report warns.

Franchisors that grant franchisees more local control over their marketing efforts do so to foster innovation and creativity (50%), while those that maintain tighter oversight prioritize brand consistency (71%) and results and performance (65%).