Entrepreneur’s Startups: Fall/Winter 2026

Choosing a franchise is a consequential decision, and this issue gives prospective owners a broad place to begin their research. Its centerpiece is a 2026 buyer’s guide listing more than 1,500 franchise businesses, arranged by industry and accompanied by details that help readers compare opportunities—not just names.

A wide-ranging franchise directory

The guide spans fields including automotive, business services, food, health and wellness, home improvement, personal care, pets, recreation, retail and technology. Individual listings provide comparison details such as estimated startup costs, royalty fees, financing availability, qualification requirements and operating-unit counts. Those figures can help narrow an initial search and identify the questions to investigate further.

Beyond the numbers: stories from franchise owners

Editorial features add the human and operational side of franchise ownership. The issue includes an owner profile, a look at the costs involved in evaluating franchise fees, a sales-improvement playbook drawn from a Pure Barre business, and a story about former partners who continue running a franchise together. Other highlights touch on fitness, sports and the growth of GymGuyz.

A starting point for careful research

The directory is designed to help readers explore the range of businesses available, from different industries to different investment levels. Its listings are not recommendations or a substitute for independently checking a company’s current information and reviewing the relevant franchise disclosures. For aspiring franchisees, the useful next step is to compare options against their own resources, experience and goals.

Part directory and part collection of franchise-owner stories, this Fall/Winter issue offers an informed first look at the landscape of franchise business opportunities.