TL;DR
Ziebart ranked No. 270 on Franchise Times Top 400 list, recognizing its accelerated franchise development with a 285% increase in franchise leads in 2026. The company remains selective in its expansion, focusing on conversions as a key growth strategy.
Franchise ranking
“Earning a place on the Franchise Times Top 400 speaks to the consistency of our system and the dedication of our franchise owners,” said Thomas A. Wolfe, President & Chief Executive Officer of Ziebart. “Their top-quality service is the backbone of our franchise success, and we’re focused on carrying that momentum forward by growing with the right operators.”
Ziebart’s Top 400 ranking is a recognition of its accelerated franchise development. Franchise leads increased 285% at the start of 2026, and interest from prospective owners continues to grow.
Growth strategy
As Ziebart looks to expand, it remains selective in its chosen markets and potential franchisees. Conversions remain a key growth strategy, giving established owners a way to add new services and national brand recognition to their existing businesses.
“Many of the prospective franchisees we see already have automotive business experience, which means they typically have many technical skills,” said Tray Doster, Director of Franchise Development at Ziebart. “What Ziebart offers is brand-name recognition and a full menu of appearance and protection services. These offerings are what make the brand so appealing to operators who don’t want to fully start over.”
The Top 400 ranking caps a strong year of industry recognition for Ziebart. The brand ranked No. 144 on Entrepreneur’s 2026 Franchise 500 list and No. 78 on Entrepreneur’s 2026 Top Brands for Multi-Unit Owners list. It also ranked No. 1 on Entrepreneur’s Automotive Appearance Services list.
Looking ahead, Ziebart is entering the fourth quarter focused on supporting its franchise owners and continuing to grow its system.
In this story
This story was originally published in Franchising.com on October 14, 2026. Burnaze summarizes and links to the original reporting.
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