Top Franchise Brands in States with Strong Economic Policies

As the 2024 ALEC-Laffer “Rich States, Poor States” report highlights, state-level economic policies are a key determinant of business success, particularly in the franchise sector. Franchises often thrive in states with pro-business tax policies, low personal income taxes and strong economic outlooks. The report ranks states based on 15 economic variables, offering insights into where franchises can maximize profitability. But what does this mean for the brands that call these top-performing states home?

In this article, we’ll explore the top franchise brands headquartered in the highest-ranked states from the 2024 report and how their location in these economically advantageous regions contributes to their growth and profitability.

Utah franchise brands

Utah continues to hold the top spot in the ALEC-Laffer rankings for its low tax burden, flat income tax and other business-friendly policies. Franchise brands headquartered in Utah benefit from this strong economic environment, which fosters growth and profitability.

• AlphaGraphics Inc.

• Apple Spice Junction

• Bad Ass Coffee Company

• Chem-Dry Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning

• Costa Vida

• Image Studios 360

• InXpress

• Kid to Kid

• Kneaders Bakery & Café

• Mrs. Fields Original Cookies, Inc.

• N-Hance

• Precision Concrete Cutting

• Pro Image

• Property Management Inc.

• Real Property Management

• Rodizio Grill

• Speaking Roses

• Sub Zero Ice Cream

• TCBY Systems, LLC

• Totally Nutz

• Unishippers

• Uptown Cheapskate

• Zerorez

With a diverse range of industries represented, Utah's franchise brands benefit from the state's business-friendly policies and tax advantages, allowing for more aggressive expansion and stronger financial performance.

Idaho franchise growth

Idaho has climbed the rankings, securing the No. 2 spot in 2024, thanks to recent tax reforms and a pro-growth business climate. This has created an ideal environment for franchises headquartered in the state.

• GarageTown USA

• Heaven's Best Carpet Cleaning

• Radiant Waxing

• Pita Pit

Idaho’s business-friendly policies have enabled these franchises to grow both domestically and internationally, leveraging lower operating costs and a stable economy.

Arizona business climate

Arizona’s low personal and corporate tax rates, coupled with significant population growth, make it an attractive state for franchises. The business climate encourages investment, particularly in fast-growing industries like food service, fitness, and personal care.

• ActiveRx

• AmCheck

• Amazing Lash Studio

• America’s Taco Shop

• Bounce U

• Circle K / TMC Franchise Corporation

• Cold Stone Creamery, Inc.

• D'lish

• DataPreserve

• Data Doctors

• Dogtopia

• Doo Care

• Extreme Pita

• Fuchsia Spa Group

• Frullati Cafe & Bakery

• Game X Change

• Grabbagreen

• The Great Steak & Potato Company

• Grout Doctor

• HomeSmart Real Estate

• Honest-1 Auto Care

• HYPOXI

• Johnnie's Pizza

• Kahala Brands

• Ling & Louie's Asian Bar

• Little Gym International, Inc., The

• Lo-Lo's Chicken & Waffles

• Massage Envy

• My Pie Pizza

• National Youth Sports Franchising

• Native Grill & Wings

• Nrgize Lifestyle

• OpenWorks

• Peter Piper Pizza

• PremierGarage

• Primp and Blow

• Pump It Up

• Radiance Medspa

• Ranch 1

• Realty Executives International

• Re-Bath

• RedLine Athletics

• Rhea Lana's

• Rise Above Debt Relief

• Samurai Sam's Teriyaki Grill

• Shake's Frozen Custard, Inc

• Sirius Day Spa

• Slim Chickens

• Super Shuttle

• Surf City Squeeze

• Synergy Homecare

• The inside Coup

• The Joint

• Tacos 4 Life

• TacoTime International, Inc.

• Tax Centers of America

• Thai Express

• Tilted Kilt

• V's Barbershop

• Wafflo

• Zoyo Neighborhood Yogurt

• Zounds

Arizona’s pro-business environment has helped make it a hub for franchise brands, especially in industries related to food, wellness, and personal services.

North Carolina has seen significant economic growth due to tax reforms and a thriving business environment. Franchise brands headquartered in North Carolina benefit from these policies, which encourage expansion and operational efficiency.

• 101 Mobility

• Adam & Eve Stores

• AdvantaClean

• Atlantic PinStriping

• Berrybrook Farm Franchising

• Blue Moon Estate Sales

• Bojangles' Restaurants, Inc.

• Brixx Wood Fired Pizza

• Burn Boot Camp

• Carstar Automotive

• Clean Juice

• Driven Brands - Meineke Merlin

• Drive N Style

• East Coast Wings and Grill

• Econo Lube N Tune

• Enovana Green Cleaning

• Famous Toastery

• Fleet Feet Sports

• Golden Corral Buffet & Grill

• Hwy 55 Burgers

• Jantize America

• Kono USA

• Krispy Kreme

• Meineke Car Care Centers

• Monkee's

• Peno Mediterranean

• Port City Java

• Putt-Putt Golf and Games

• Red Hot & Blue

• Rise Biscuits Donuts

• Salsarita

• Smithfield's Chicken 'n Bar-B-Q

• The Dog Wizard

• The Fuzzy Peach

• Urbana Wellness Spa

• Window Gang

• Window World

• Wine & Design

• World Tavern Entertainment

• Your Office USA Inc

North Carolina’s business-friendly policies and competitive tax rates allow franchises to reinvest in growth and expand their footprints across the country.

Indiana’s low corporate taxes and strong economic policies make it a favorable location for franchises. This environment supports brand profitability and allows franchises to scale with lower operational costs.

• ACI Franchising

• Aether Estate Sales

• Ben's Soft Pretzels

• Border Magic, LLC

• Cookie Cutters Haircuts for Kids

• DirectBuy

• J.D. Byrider Systems, Inc.

• Memories of You

• MonitorClosely.com

• Noble Roman's Pizza

• Ritter's Frozen Custard

• Sell 4 Free Real Estate Systems

• Steak n Shake

• Stop & Shred

• Wild Birds Unlimited, Inc.

• Wings Etc.

Franchises headquartered in Indiana benefit from its stable economy and pro-business climate, making it easier to grow and expand their operations.

Texas’ significant jump in the rankings this year is a direct result of the state’s largest-ever tax cuts in 2023. With no personal income tax and a favorable corporate tax rate, Texas is a hotspot for franchise headquarters, allowing businesses to grow rapidly.

• 7-Eleven, Inc.

• 810 Billiards & Bowling

• A+ Transmission

• A-Pro Home Inspection

• Accor Hotels

• ACE Cash Express, Inc.

• Advantage Rent A Car

• Adventure Kids Playcare

• Alamo Drafthouse

• Bahama Buck's Original Shaved Ice Co.

• Baker Bros. American Deli

• Bath Fitter

• Bennigan's Grill & Tavern

• Berryhill Baja Grill

• Boardroom Salon, The

• Bonanza Steakhouse

• Boston's Restaurant & Sports Bar

• Brick House Tavern & Tap

• Brinker International

• BRIX Holdings

• Brioche Doree

• Bullritos

• Camille's Hand-Dipped Ice Cream

• Caring Senior Service

• Children's Lighthouse Learning Centers

• Christian Brothers Automotive

• Christmas Decor

• Chuck E. Cheese

• CiCi's Pizza

• CM IT Solutions

• CocoCrepes

• Colbert/Ball Tax Service

• ColorTyme Rent To Own

• Cookies by Design / Cookie Bouquet

• Cowboy Chicken

• Curves

• DEFINE body & mind

• Dickey's Barbecue Restaurants, Inc.

• Dogs Rule Resort

• DoubleDave's Pizzaworks Systems

• DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen

• The Dwyer Group

• Eagle Transmission, Inc.

• Eco Box

• EnVie Fitness

• FaceLogic

• FASTSIGNS

• Fastest Labs

• Fiesta Restaurant Group

• Findley Group

• Five Star Painting

• Freebirds World Burrito

• Fuddruckers, Inc.

• Fuzzy's Taco Shop

• Games2U

• Gatti's Pizza

• Genghis Grill

• Gigi's Cupcakes

• Glass Doctor

• Golden Chick

• Gold's Gym Franchising

• Golf Etc

• Gotcha Covered Blinds

• Green Life Interiors

• H2O PLUS L.P.

• HomeVestors

• HomeStyle Dining

• IDEA Lab Kids*

• Ignite Restaurant Group

• Interstate Batteries

• Jani-King International, Inc.

• Jiffy Lube International, Inc.

• K & N Mobile Franchises

• Keller Williams Realty

• Knockouts

• Kolache Factory

• Kwik Kopy Business Centers

• La Madeleine

• La Quinta Inn & Suites

• Landry's Restaurants

• Layne’s Chicken

• Liberty Burger

• Link Staffing Services

• Luby's

• Massage Heights

• Mattress Firm

• MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes

• MosquitoNix

• Mr. Appliance

• Mr. Jim's Pizza

• Mr. Rekey Locksmith

• Mr. Rooter Plumbing

• Murphy's Deli

• Nancy Poppinz

• Nautical Boat Clubs

• New York Pizzeria

• On the Border

• Paciugo Italian Gelato

• Palm Beach Tan

• Pet Butler

• Pickles & Ice Cream Franchising

• Pie Five Pizza

• Pinot's Palette

• Pizza Hut, Inc.

• Pizza Inn, Inc.

• Pizza Patron

• Planet Popolicious Franchises

• Pollo Campero*

• Pronto Insurance

• Property Damage Appraisers

• RadioShack

• Rainbow International Restoration & Cleaning

• RAVE Restaurant Group

• Red Mango Frozen Yogurt

• Rent-A-Center

• RimTyme

• Roosters Men's Grooming Center

• Romano's Macaroni Grill

• Russo's New York Coal-Fired Italian Kitchen

• Safeguard

• Salata

• Salons by JC

• Scoop Soldiers

• Shipley Donuts

• Sirloin Stockade

• Smoothie Factory

• Snelling Personnel Services

• Sonitrol Corporation

• Soulman's BBQ

• Souper Salad

• Southern Classic Chicken

• Sport Clips*

• Star Wellness

• Steamatic, Inc.

• Supper Suppers

• Sweet & Sassy

• Taco Cabana

• Taco Bueno

• Taco Taco Café

• TGI Friday's

• The Gents Place

• The Grounds Guys

• The Grout Medic

• The Lice Place

• The Woodhouse Day Spa

• TireMax

• Tumbles

• Twin Peaks

• Uberrito

• Urban Bricks Pizza

• Vapor Galleria

• Waggin' Tailz

• Whataburger, Inc.

• Which Wich Superior Sandwiches

• Wildlife X Team

• WingStop Restaurants Inc.

• Woodhouse Day Spa

• Worldwide Express

• Young Chefs Academy

• Yumilicious

Texas’ pro-business climate has enabled these brands to expand aggressively both domestically and internationally, leveraging the state’s favorable tax structure to maximize profitability.

South Dakota, with no personal or corporate income tax, provides a stable and favorable environment for franchises. This state is known for its low regulatory burden, making it easier for businesses to operate.

• Apartment Movers

• Howard Johnson by Wyndham

• Kitchen Tune-Up

South Dakota’s business-friendly policies allow franchise brands headquartered here to thrive and maintain lower operational costs.

Wyoming’s minimal tax structure, with no corporate or personal income tax, continues to attract franchise brands seeking a low-cost environment for their headquarters.

• Taco John’s International

With a favorable tax climate, franchises based in Wyoming benefit from reduced overhead, allowing them to focus on expansion and growth.

Oklahoma’s low cost of living, favorable tax policies, and supportive business environment make it a great location for franchises to establish their headquarters.

• Alliance Maintenance

• Bar 145

• Bonus Building Care

• Camille's Sidewalk Cafe

• Christian Companion

• Coolgreens

• Express Employment Professionals

• FreshBerry Frozen Yogurt Cafe

• Glamour Shots

• GOLF USA Inc.

• Jimmy's Egg

• Just Between Friends

• LifeSpring

• Mazzio's Pizza

• Orange Leaf

• Phone Doctors

• Ram Jack

• Rib Crib Barbecue

• Sonic

• Safe HomeCare

• Seeking Sitters

• Simple Simon's Pizza

Oklahoma’s pro-growth policies have helped these brands expand their reach while maintaining profitability.

North Dakota’s low taxes and strong regulatory environment make it a favorable state for businesses. Its growing economy continues to attract franchises that are looking for a stable environment to grow.

• ABC Seamless

• Advanced Maintenance

• CertiRestore

North Dakota’s business climate supports growth, helping franchises maintain profitability and expand their operations.

The 2024 ALEC-Laffer “Rich States, Poor States” report highlights how state-level economic policies shape franchise profitability. Franchise brands headquartered in states with pro-business policies, like Utah, Idaho, and Texas, benefit from lower taxes, a stable economy, and a supportive environment for growth. As a result, these brands can reinvest profits, expand more aggressively, and build stronger national and international franchises.

Read the full report here.

For more on the ALEC-Laffer report, visit * Find more information on top franchise opportunities at* *