How Escapology is Scaling Its Escape Room Franchise with Premium Experiences and Strategic Growth in 2026

Brand expansion plans

Escapology has earned a place on 1851 Franchise’s 2026 Fastest Growing Emerging Franchises list, reflecting the brand’s steady expansion and growing role in shaping the escape room category. With continued interest from franchisees and corporate investment in new locations, Escapology is entering an important phase of growth.

Escapology was founded in 2014 by brothers Simon Davison and Paul Davison in Orlando, Florida and began franchising two years later. As escape rooms began to gain global popularity, the founders created a brand focused on high-quality, immersive experiences that could scale. By 2020, Escapology had expanded to 50 locations and by 2022 the brand had grown beyond the U.S., expanding internationally in locations like the U.K., Canada, Spain and Mexico.

Escapology differentiates itself by featuring themed escape rooms in a private setting. The escape rooms also feature immersive décor and licensed games such as Scooby-Doo™ and Batman™.

“We always like to say that our only competition is a bad escape room,” said Escapology CEO Burton Heiss . “I was like most consumers out there that haven’t tried it: I was curious. I was like, ‘This looks interesting - but I don’t know what it’s about. The windows are blacked out. I’m a little nervous to check that out.’ But you come to Escapology and we’re at your local mall next to the theater and your favorite restaurant. It’s like, ‘Oh yeah! Let’s see what this is about!’”

Growth strategy mix

Escapology’s expansion blends corporate-owned and franchised locations, allowing tested initiatives to roll out systemwide with a lofty, but properly-supported, goal.

“We’ll open six corporate locations. 10 of brand new franchisees and 20 are existing franchisees,” Heiss said. “I was asked in my AMA session, ‘Are you guys just going in on corporate? Are you gonna be distracted by that?’ And I said, ‘Us being a bigger operator will make us a better franchisor.’ We don’t roll out something that hasn’t been tested and tried. And I can bring data to show people, ‘Here’s the value and why it’s going to help you.’”

Operational demands in the escape room industry have evolved rapidly, requiring franchisees to keep pace.

“What is a little different in the escape room space is how fast the evolution has been,” Heiss said. “The real estate model, the level of the games, the technology, the marketing capability that you need to succeed. All of that has evolved very rapidly.”

More than a decade after its founding, Escapology has grown from a single Orlando location into an international franchise system. With corporate investment, a growing franchise base and tested operational systems, the brand is positioned to scale in 2026 while maintaining consistent, high-quality and fun guest experiences.

Stay tuned throughout the rest of the month for 1851 Franchise's full Fastest Growing Emerging Franchises series to explore the other innovative brands making waves in the industry.