Franchising remains one of the most powerful business expansion models globally-enabling brands to scale fast while mitigating risk. However, franchising is also complex: it requires strategic model design, legal structuring, operational mapping, franchisee support frameworks, and franchise sales systems. That’s where franchise development consulting companies come in – experts who help founders convert successful businesses into scalable franchise systems and support established franchisors to grow sustainably.
This article highlights the Top 20 franchise development consulting firms that are empowering brands to scale across industries and geographies. Each profile includes founders (where available), headquarters, services, business focus, and key differentiators.
1. iFranchise Group
Founders: Mark Siebert (CEO & founder)
Founded: 1990s (established early franchise development leader)
Headquarters: Chicago, USA
Product Categories: Franchise strategy, development, operations, marketing, international growth
Description:
iFranchise Group is widely recognized as the premier franchise consulting firm, repeatedly ranked #1 by Entrepreneur magazine and highly regarded by hundreds of franchisors for its deep expertise in building and scaling franchise systems. Their team combines real-world experience with structured methodologies to evaluate franchise feasibility, design franchise systems, craft legal documentation, and bolster franchise sales and marketing initiatives across more than 50 markets globally.
Key Features:
- Full-spectrum franchise strategy and implementation
- Franchise feasibility & Item 7 financial modeling
- Franchise Marketing & lead generation
- Training and operations documentation
- International expansion expertise
2. SMB Franchise Advisors
Founders: N/A (leading boutique franchise advisory)
Founded: 2009
Headquarters: Doylestown, USA
Product Categories: Consulting, franchise development, advisory services
Description:
SMB Franchise Advisors offers personalized franchise development strategies for emerging and mid-market brands. With experience across hundreds of industries, SMB’s consultative approach includes brand positioning, franchise model design, and support in navigating legal requirements, operations planning, and franchisee recruitment.
Key Features:
- Hands-on franchise readiness evaluation
- Tailored franchise sales enablement
- Strategic growth roadmap development
- Support for start-up and multi-unit franchisors
- Deep network of franchise legal and financial partners
3. Big Sky Franchise Team
Founders: Tom DuFore (CEO)
Founded: Early 2000s
Headquarters: Alpharetta, USA
Product Categories: Consulting, development planning, sales & marketing
Description:
A veteran consultancy that has worked with hundreds of owners to expand through franchising, Big Sky Franchise Team offers holistic systems to design franchise programs that resonate with franchisees. Their expertise spans model testing, operational manuals, franchisee recruiting, and marketing strategies designed to align franchisor goals with marketplace demand.
Key Features:
- Franchise system development
- Franchise marketing and sales support
- Lead generation strategies
- Operational documentation and SOP creation
- Long-term franchise performance analytics
4. BrandONE
Founders: N/A
Founded: N/A
Headquarters: Maple Grove, USA
Product Categories: Franchise development, sales enablement, marketing
Description:
BrandONE specializes in integrated brand and franchise development services, helping emerging franchisors create compelling offer packages, marketing collateral, and digital funnels that attract quality franchise candidates. Their data-driven approach balances storytelling, performance marketing, and scalable sales systems.
Key Features:
- Franchise marketing strategy
- Lead generation and CRM systems
- Digital campaign execution
- Brand positioning and messaging
- Franchisee onboarding frameworks
5. FranDevCo
Founders: Sung Ohm & Drew Chalfant
Founded: N/A
Headquarters: Huntersville, USA
Product Categories: Franchise sales organization (FSO), Franchise development
Description:
FranDevCo functions as both a consulting and execution partner – specializing in franchise sales outsourcing. They help franchisors accelerate growth by managing franchisee pipelines, conducting outreach, qualifying prospects, and closing franchise sales, bridging the strategic and tactical sides of franchise expansion.
Key Features:
- Franchisee lead qualification
- FSO execution and sales management
- Recruitment pipeline support
- Franchisee onboarding assistance
- Strategic insights to improve close rates
6. Franchise Business Review
Founders: N/A
Founded: N/A
Headquarters: Portsmouth, USA
Product Categories: Research, franchisee satisfaction benchmarking
Description:
Not a traditional consulting firm, Franchise Business Review is indispensable for data-driven franchisors seeking to understand franchisee satisfaction, retention drivers, and competitive benchmarks. Their proprietary surveys inform strategy, brand improvement, and recruitment messaging – enabling franchisors to make growth decisions rooted in evidence.
Key Features:
- Franchisee satisfaction benchmarking
- Market research and industry insights
- Franchise performance reports
- Competitive positioning analysis
- Strategic advisory based on data
7. Franchise FastLane
Founders: N/A (entrepreneurial development team)
Founded: 2016–2017
Headquarters: Omaha, USA
Product Categories: Franchise development & sales acceleration
Description:
Franchise FastLane is a growth accelerator helping emerging brands scale rapidly by managing franchise sales lifecycles, lead pipelines, and recruitment strategies. Their proven systems empower franchisors to reach milestones years faster than industry averages (some hitting 100 units in under two years), while maintaining franchise health and operational alignment. franchisefastlane.com
Key Features:
- Franchise sales as a service (FSO)
- Lead generation & qualification
- Discovery & franchisee onboarding
- MasterMind coaching programs
- Brand health assessments
8. Accurate Franchising, Inc.
Founders: N/A
Founded: ~1980s (35+ years experience)
Headquarters: Multiple (Global)
Product Categories: Franchise consulting & operational services
Description:
Accurate Franchising brings deep domain expertise and a unique advantage – it also operates franchise brands as a franchisor. This means their recommendations are not theoretical but battle-tested in real markets with validated processes. Their global footprint across Australia, Europe, & North America supports multi-country scaling.
Key Features:
- Franchise model design
- Global expansion strategy
- Operational support and manual development
- Franchisee training design
- Proven, real-world tested systems
9. FranLift
Founders: N/A
Founded: N/A
Headquarters: Van Alstyne, USA
Product Categories: Franchise sales outsourcing, development
Description:
FranLift focuses on helping emerging franchisors build and manage franchise sales pipelines, refine sales processes, and support recruitment efforts. As an FSO partner, they provide outsourced teams that integrate seamlessly with franchisor operations.
Key Features:
- Sales pipeline management
- Lead qualification & outreach
- Franchisee support systems
- KPI tracking frameworks
- Strategic sales coaching
10. FranWise
Founders: N/A
Founded: N/A
Headquarters: Costa Mesa, USA
Product Categories: Operations consulting, compliance support
Description:
FranWise offers specialized consulting in operations and compliance – essential for franchisors that already have franchisees but need to elevate system standards, ensure regulatory compliance, and improve overall operational consistency.
Key Features:
- Franchise operations assessments
- Policy & compliance frameworks
- SOP optimization
- Franchisee performance analytics
- Turnaround and performance coaching
11. REP’M Group
Founders: N/A
Founded: N/A
Headquarters: Cornelius, USA
Product Categories: Full-service franchise development
Description:
REP’M Group supports franchisors from concept refinement to franchise sales execution, offering strategic planning, marketing, and lead generation under one umbrella. Their holistic methodology is ideal for brands seeking integrated support.
Key Features:
- Franchise system creation
- Sales support & lead nurturing
- Marketing strategy alignment
- Territory planning
- Franchisee onboarding systems
12. Franchise Growth Solutions
Founders: N/A
Founded: N/A
Headquarters: Westwood, USA
Product Categories: Strategic planning, franchise development
Description:
This consultancy blends business strategy with franchise systems thinking – focusing on competitive differentiation, long-term growth planning, and scalable infrastructure to guide franchisors through expansion in competitive markets.
Key Features:
- Franchise strategy workshops
- Growth planning & forecasting
- Competitive benchmarking
- Sales process design
- Franchisee value proposition refinement
13. Global Talent Solutions
Founders: N/A
Founded: N/A
Headquarters: Laguna Hills, USA
Product Categories: Executive search, franchise talent acquisition
Description:
Talent is a critical yet overlooked competitive advantage in franchising. Global Talent Solutions specializes in recruiting leadership and executive talent for franchisors – from VP of Development to franchise operations leaders – ensuring capable teams drive growth.
Key Features:
- Franchise leadership recruitment
- Executive search services
- Talent assessment frameworks
- Workforce development planning
- Franchise HR advisory
14. Raintree
Founders: N/A
Founded: N/A
Headquarters: Denver, USA
Product Categories: Franchise design, marketing, sales
Description:
Raintree offers end-to-end franchise development support with strong emphasis on branding, lead generation, and sales enablement. They integrate creative services with franchise business strategy to support newer franchisors in building appealing franchise offers.
Key Features:
- Brand identity & position strategy
- Marketing automation support
- Sales enablement content
- Lead nurturing frameworks
- Franchisee training support
15. M Squared Franchise Consulting
Founders: N/A
Founded: N/A
Headquarters: Atlanta, USA
Product Categories: Franchise strategy & development
Description:
M Squared focuses on helping emerging franchisors build scalable and sustainable franchise systems – from feasibility assessment to launch strategies and operational manuals that prepare brands for multi-unit replication.
Key Features:
- Franchise readiness reviews
- Operational systems documentation
- Brand positioning support
- Franchise sales prep
- Expansion strategy coaching
16. Franchise Genesis
Founders: N/A
Founded: N/A
Headquarters: USA
Product Categories: Franchise launch consulting
Description:
Franchise Genesis offers end-to-end franchise consulting that helps founders prepare businesses for franchising, including Item 7 financial packages, franchise documentation, and launch readiness. They are known for structured processes and detailed preparation.
Key Features:
- Launch readiness planning
- Item 7 financial development
- SOP & operations guide creation
- Franchise sales preparation
- Legal coordination support
17. The Franchise Maker
Founders: N/A
Founded: N/A
Headquarters: USA
Product Categories: Franchise consulting services
Description:
A boutique franchise consulting firm emphasizing speed and affordability, The Franchise Maker supports smaller brands seeking to establish a franchise system with clear documentation and basic franchise infrastructure.
Key Features:
- Affordable consulting packages
- Franchise documentation support
- Franchisee recruitment prep
- Operations playbooks
- Starter system strategy
18. Franchise Consulting Group
Founders: N/A
Founded: 1978
Headquarters: Los Angeles, USA
Product Categories: Franchise development, due diligence
Description:
With decades of experience, Franchise Consulting Group provides seasoned guidance to franchisors on franchise system design, operational best practices, and due diligence processes – ideal for brands seeking experienced counsel.
Key Features:
- Franchise due diligence reviews
- System documentation support
- Scaling strategy advisory
- Franchise operational coaching
- Market entry planning
19. Franchise Science, Inc.
Founders: N/A
Founded: 2015
Headquarters: Santa Barbara, USA
Product Categories: Consulting & development services
Description:
Franchise Science adopts a holistic, data-centric approach to franchise development – helping brands evaluate market fitness, optimize operations, craft franchise agreements, and set up frameworks that support long-term franchise scalability.
Key Features:
- Data-informed franchise strategy
- Market & competitor analysis
- Franchise documentation support
- Operations & training frameworks
- Scalable system planning
20. Select Franchise Consulting
Founders: N/A
Founded: 2013
Headquarters: Ravenna, USA
Product Categories: Franchise development & consulting
Description:
Select Franchise Consulting offers personalized services to franchisors and prospective franchisees, helping clients identify suitable franchise opportunities, craft compelling offers, and support development planning – ideal for early-stage franchise ventures.
Key Features:
- Franchise identification & matching
- Offer creation support
- Franchise acquisition guidance
- Strategic planning
- Personalized advisory
Conclusion: Choose the Right Franchise Development Partner
Selecting the right franchise consulting partner can make or break your growth plans. The firms listed above range from global strategists and deep-dive consultants to execution-focused sales accelerators and boutique niche specialists. Whether you’re launching your first franchise concept or scaling an established system, aligning with a consulting partner whose strengths match your strategic goals is key to sustainable success.
