Franchising is a unique, forward thinking and diverse industry with small businesses that collectively create BIG impact. You can be a solo business owner, just one person in a side hustle – or the leader of dozens of employees – making a difference for those around you while improving your local community. By Dawn Abbamondi
Serving as vice president of experience and training at BODY20 includes hectic yet rewarding days for Kelly Turner. Focused on optimizing client experiences, Turner identifies opportunities to streamline and improve front-house operations, standards, training and workout offerings. BODY20 provides personal training workouts that utilize advanced technology. Clients wear wireless electro-muscle stimulation (EMS) suits that deliver electrical impulses, engaging up to 90% of muscles simultaneously. By Erika Ortega
Ray Glover was working 12 hour days and clocking in on the weekends, serving a large national tenant in the commercial real estate industry. He was stressed, overworked and not loving the life he was living. So, he decided to use that same time and energy to launch his own business and seek a better work/life balance. By Jessica Petrucelli
Beth Dow didn’t originally set out to become a business owner. Her career had taken several turns – from working in juvenile court to ministry work to helping place children removed from their homes – but the common thread was always supporting people during difficult moments. By Tamara Rahoumi
As AI spreads rapidly across workplaces, employees and hiring managers agree the biggest gap isn’t technology; it’s training.
OKLAHOMA CITY — Artificial intelligence is reshaping how work gets done, but most employees say they’ve been handed the tools without the training to use them effectively, according to a recent Express Employment Professionals-Harris Poll survey.
More than 8 in 10 U.S. job seekers (83%) say companies need to formally train employees on how to use AI, rather than expecting them to learn on their own. And hiring managers agree, as 86% say formal AI training should be a company priority.
That urgency reflects just how quickly AI has shifted from optional to expected in the workplace.
Nearly 8 in 10 U.S. companies (79%) now use AI, with more than 2 in 5 (43%) reporting regular use. Just two years ago, only 66% of companies reported using AI, a figure that climbed to 72% in the spring of 2025 and has continued rising since.
Employees feel the acceleration firsthand. Sixty‑two percent of employed U.S. job seekers say their company uses AI at work, including 22% who say it’s already part of their regular workflow.
The result: AI is everywhere, but training has fallen behind.
The Adoption Curve Is Outrunning Readiness
Among companies using AI, reliance is increasing fast. Eighty‑nine percent of hiring managers say their company’s dependence on AI tools has significantly increased over the past year, signaling that AI is no longer experimental or optional.
Adoption is especially widespread among:
At the same time, employees are increasingly open to learning with AI. Seventy‑six percent of job seekers say it’s appropriate to learn professional skills using AI, including 27% who say it’s completely appropriate.
Rules Without Roadmaps
Seventy‑eight percent of hiring managers say their company has policies regulating AI use, a view shared by 78% of job seekers whose company uses AI.
But when it comes to actual tools, direction is inconsistent:
That lack of clarity leaves many employees navigating powerful technology largely on their own.
The Upside Companies Risk Missing
Despite the training gap, workers remain optimistic about AI’s potential, especially when it comes to building their skills.
Three‑quarters of job seekers believe AI can be part of the solution, not the problem. Seventy‑five percent say their company’s AI tools can help bridge skills gaps, and an equal share say they are likely to seek additional training in response to AI advancements. Nearly one‑third (31%) say they are very likely to do so.
Hiring managers largely back that optimism. Eighty‑one percent say their company already has the tools needed to train new hires in AI‑driven workflows, suggesting the obstacle is less about capability and more about follow‑through.
When asked how companies should prepare future talent as AI expands, hiring managers most often point to hands‑on, employer‑led approaches:
“AI adoption is moving faster than most organizational change ever has,” said Bob Funk Jr., CEO, President and Chairman of Express Employment International. “What this data shows is that companies have focused on getting the technology in place, but not enough on helping people use it effectively. Training is what determines whether AI becomes a source of real productivity or just another tool employees are left to navigate on their own.”
Discover more research and real-world workforce trends from the America Employed series at ExpressPros.com/Newsroom.
Survey Methodology
The Job Insights survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of Express Employment Professionals from Nov. 3 to 19, 2025, among 1,002 U.S. hiring decision-makers.
The Job Seeker Report was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of Express Employment Professionals from Nov. 7 to 20, 2025, among 1,003 adults ages 18 and older.
For full survey methodologies, please contact Sheena.Hollander@ExpressPros.com, Director of Corporate Communications & PR.
If you would like to arrange for an interview to discuss this topic, please contact Sheena.Hollander@ExpressPros.com, Director of Corporate Communications & PR.
About Robert (Bob) Funk Jr.
Robert (Bob) Funk Jr. is the Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman of Express Employment International, a global staffing franchisor founded and headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He leads a portfolio of workforce solution brands, including the flagship Express Employment Professionals franchise, along with several affiliated brands serving specialized markets. The Express franchise brand is an industry-leading, international staffing company with franchise locations across the U.S., Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.
About Express Employment Professionals
At Express Employment Professionals, we’re in the business of people. From job seekers to client companies, Express helps people thrive and businesses grow. Our international network of franchises offers localized staffing solutions to the communities they serve across the U.S., Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, employing more than 11 million people globally since its inception. For more information, visit ExpressPros.com.
Premium Pilates Franchise Celebrates New Milestones With 25 New Openings And 92 Territories Awarded in Q1 Of 2026
MIAMI — JETSET Pilates, the fast-growing modern Reformer Pilates franchise offering premium, full-body workouts, surpassed 350 territories awarded and more than 60 studios open systemwide following a strong first quarter of 2026. In Q1 alone, the brand opened 25 new studios and awarded 92 additional territories, reinforcing sustained demand from experienced, multi-unit operators and continued momentum across key U.S. markets.
“Surpassing 350 territories and 60 studios is a meaningful milestone for our brand and a reflection of the standard we’re achieving in every studio,” said Tamara Galinsky, Founder and Brand President of JETSET Pilates. “As we grow, our focus remains on consistency, quality, and creating an environment that resonates with members across every market.”
Franchise Development and Market Expansion
In Q1, JETSET opened 25 new locations across a diverse mix of markets, including Dallas, Raleigh, Charlotte, Fort Myers, Nashville, Salt Lake City, and New York City, reflecting a balanced growth strategy that combines densification in core metro areas with expansion into earlier-stage markets such as Somerville, NJ, Edwardsville, IL and Bridgeland, TX.
JETSET also awarded 92 new territories across 22 franchise partners, expanding its footprint across both major metropolitan areas and high-growth suburban regions, including markets such as Chicago, San Francisco, Austin, and Boston.
These territories will include entry into several new markets, including London, Scottsdale, Boulder, Kansas City, and Louisville, supporting JETSET’s long-term domestic and international expansion strategy.
“Our growth is being driven by experienced operators who understand what it takes to build a strong brand with real staying power,” said Bert Albertse, CEO of JETSET Pilates. “We are focused on partnering with the right people in the right markets and supporting them with a model that is designed for sustainable, scalable success.”
System Performance
JETSET continues to demonstrate strong unit-level performance alongside its rapid expansion. The brand reported a 2025 systemwide average unit volume of approximately $1.13 million, reinforcing the strength of its positioning within the boutique fitness category.
Q2 Outlook and Strategic Priorities
JETSET enters Q2 with a robust pipeline and a continued focus on strategic, disciplined expansion. The brand anticipates opening 20+ studios in the quarter, with priority regions across Texas, the Northeast Corridor, California, and key Southeast territories.
To support this growth, the brand is continuing to invest across its platform, including:
“As we enter Q2, we are focused on balancing rapid growth with a consistent, high-quality experience across every studio,” continued Albertse. “These efforts are designed to support strong studio ramp performance, deepen member engagement, and ensure we are building a brand that scales thoughtfully while maintaining quality, consistency, and strong unit economics as we expand into new and existing markets.”
For more information about JETSET Pilates and its franchise opportunities, please visit https://jetsetpilates.com/franchise/.
About JETSET Pilates
Founded in 2010 and franchising since 2022, JETSET Pilates has quickly become one of the most attractive concepts in the boutique fitness franchise space, with over 350 studios open or in development across the U.S., U.K. and Australia. The brand is known for its 50-minute classes that combine strength, cardio, and Pilates-inspired movements for a full-body workout, focusing on connection, consistency, and wellness in every community it serves. JETSET Pilates now offers franchising opportunities to entrepreneurs in some of the largest and fastest-growing markets in the fitness sector. For more information, please visit https://jetsetpilates.com/franchise/, or follow the brand on LinkedIn and Instagram.
LIVONIA, Mich. — This Earth Day, Pet Supplies Plus and Wag N’ Wash celebrate the achievement of collecting and recycling 69 tons of pet food, treat and litter bag packaging through their in-store program. To further expand this commitment to sustainability, the pet retail brands are launching a trade-in program, making it easier than ever for pet parents to reduce waste while caring for their furry family members.
From April 30 through May 13, neighbors are invited to bring in any used collar, leash, or harness to participating Pet Supplies Plus and Wag N’ Wash locations for recycling. In return, neighbors will receive 40% off a new collar, leash, or harness as part of a limited-time trade-in program.
This extension of an already impactful program builds on the brands’ ongoing partnership with TerraCycle, an international leader in innovative sustainability solutions. Together, the companies have created a proven and convenient way for pet parents to keep hard-to-recycle products out of landfills, including pet food, treat, and litter bag packaging through in-store collection stations.
“Through our neighbors and their participation in our recycling program, we’ve been able to make a real difference,” said Chris Rowland, Chief Executive Officer of Pet Supplies Plus and Wag N’ Wash. “We were the first pet retailers to launch a recycling program and we’re more committed than ever to sustainability and providing neighbors with simple, accessible ways to recycle pet products.”
Since the partnership with TerraCycle began in 2023, more than 69 tons of waste have been prevented from ending up in landfills or incinerators, underscoring a measurable and growing environmental impact. Through these efforts, the brands continue to provide neighbors with an opportunity to participate in responsible recycling and reduce waste.
Pet Supplies Plus and Wag N’ Wash are pioneers in pet specialty recycling, launching the first program of its kind in the industry. With the continued expansion of their TerraCycle partnership, the brands remain committed to supporting local communities and creating accessible, everyday solutions that make sustainability a part of routine pet care.
“Most pet-related items—from packaging to worn collars and leashes—aren’t accepted through local recycling, which means they’re typically thrown away,” said Tom Szaky, Founder and CEO of TerraCycle. “By building on an established in-store collection program and introducing a limited-time way to recycle everyday gear, this effort makes it easier for pet parents to take action and keep more of what they use out of landfills and incinerators.”
To learn more about which products can be recycled and find participating locations by visiting Pet Supplies Plus and Wag N’ Wash websites.
About Pet Supplies Plus
Your neighborhood Pet Supplies Plus has everything you need for your furry, scaly and feathery friends. Its shelves are stocked with pet essentials, including a wide selection of over 11,000 products from 400 brands. Easily find all their favorites at prices you love, whether you shop in store or online using free curbside pickup, same-day delivery or Autoship. To help keep your pets happy and healthy, pet prescriptions can be filled online and delivered directly to your door. As the nation’s largest pet retail franchise with over 725 locations and counting, Pet Supplies Plus makes shopping local simple. For more information visit www.petsuppliesplus.com.
About Wag N’ Wash
Wag N’ Wash Natural Pet Food & Grooming, a full-line dog grooming and self-wash specialty retail destination, has a mission to recognize, promote and foster the positive impact that companion pets and their humans have on each other. Wag N’ Wash provides full-service grooming, self-wash facilities, baked dog treats, natural food, supplements, and toys. Wag N’ Wash has ranked on Denver Business Journal’s Colorado-Based Franchisors List, Franchise Times’ Top 200+ List and Franchise Gator’s Top 100 Franchisees List. Today, there are 26 Wag N’ Wash locations open across the nation. To learn more about Wag N’ Wash, please visit wagnwashfranchising.com.
About TerraCycle
TerraCycle is an international leader in innovative sustainability solutions, creating and operating first-of-their-kind platforms in recycling, recycled materials, and reuse. Across 18 countries, TerraCycle is on a mission to eliminate the idea of waste and develop practical solutions for today’s complex waste challenges. The company engages an expansive multi-stakeholder community, from Fortune 500 companies to schools and households, across a wide range of accessible programs and has raised millions for schools and nonprofits since its founding more than 20 years ago. To learn more about TerraCycle and join them on their journey to move the world from a linear economy to a circular one, please visit https://www.terracycle.com/en-US/.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — AtWork®, an award-winning staffing agency franchise, is excited to announce the appointment of Nancy Halverson as Vice President of Professional Services. In her new role, she will lead AtWork Professional, a new division dedicated to specialized professional recruiting for contract staffing and direct-hire solutions. Halverson brings more than 30 years of experience in staffing and franchising experience. (PHOTO HERE)
“This is truly my dream role because it allows me to leverage every part of my career,” said Nancy Halverson, AtWork’s Vice President of Professional Services. “AtWork has an incredible foundation in commercial staffing, and now we have the opportunity to expand into professional services with a fresh, modern, and highly specialized approach. We’re building a division where franchisees are true experts in their verticals, and where clients feel they’re working with a partner who understands their world.”
Halverson joins AtWork with extensive leadership experience across the staffing and franchising industry, where she has spent decades developing operational strategy, supporting franchise growth, and strengthening system-wide performance. Throughout her career, she has built a reputation for driving scalable growth, enhancing franchisee success, and elevating professional contract staffing and direct-hire staffing operations.
As Vice President of Professional Services, Halverson will lead the development of the division’s franchise model, training programs, operational systems, and market strategy.
“AtWork Professional represents a natural evolution of our brand and the needs of today’s workforce,” said Jason Leverant. “Nancy’s deep industry experience and proven leadership make her the ideal person to build and scale this division. We’re confident this new offering will create meaningful opportunities for our franchise owners while delivering high-value talent solutions to clients.”
AtWork’s Professional launched this year, reflecting the changing dynamics of the modern workforce and the growing demand for specialized talent. Designed as a low-cost franchise opportunity, AtWork Professional eliminates the need for a brick-and-mortar location and can be operated independently without the need for additional staff, making it an accessible and flexible franchise model.
Halverson’s appointment further strengthens AtWork’s executive leadership and reinforces the brand’s commitment to cultivating accomplished, high-impact female business leaders.
For more information about AtWork Professional and franchise opportunities, visit https://www.atwork.com/franchise/.
About AtWork
Headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, AtWork is an award-winning staffing franchise with more than 30 years of experience helping businesses find dependable talent and helping people find meaningful work. AtWork provides comprehensive workforce solutions, including temporary staffing, temp-to-hire, and direct hire services, supporting companies across a wide range of industries nationwide. AtWork delivers its staffing solutions through two distinct channels: their legacy brand, AtWork Personnel–focusing on commercial staffing (light industrial and clerical), and AtWork Professional–placing skilled professionals in areas such as accounting and finance, engineering, information technology, and other professional-level roles.
AtWork is recognized by Staffing Industry Analysts as one of the Largest and Best Staffing Firms to Work for in the U.S. and as an Entrepreneur Verified Franchise. The brand’s commitment to service excellence has earned ClearlyRated’s Best of Staffing® Award for both client and talent satisfaction. AtWork’s strong growth and franchisee support have secured its place on Franchise Business Review’s Top 200 Franchises for eight consecutive years, along with induction into the FBR Hall of Fame for more than 10 years of outstanding performance. Additional recognition includes ranking in Franchise Times Top 400, named one of America’s Best Recruiting and Temporary Staffing Firms for 2026, Fran Serve’s Fran-tastic 2026 Award and Entrepreneur’s Top Franchises for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
For more information about AtWork visit https://www.atwork.com/franchise/. To learn about AtWork Professional visit: https://www.atwork.com/franchise/professional/.
Strategic leadership appointments position multi-brand franchisor for continued expansion following record 2025 performance
RICHMOND, Va. — Empower Brands, a franchisor of home and business services brands, is reinforcing its leadership team with a series of strategic appointments and promotions over the last six months, positioning the company for continued growth in 2026.
Following a record-setting 2025, in which the company achieved significant expansion across its portfolio, with multiple brands earning national recognition and franchisees demonstrating strong unit-level performance, Empower Brands has expanded its leadership bench across marketing, operations, technology and brand leadership roles. These additions reflect a continued investment in franchisee support and platform innovation across its portfolio.
“Coming off a milestone year, we’re focused on building the right leadership structure to support the next phase of growth,” said Scott Zide, CEO of Empower Brands. “These leaders bring deep experience and a shared commitment to helping our franchise owners succeed. As we move through 2026, this team will play a critical role in driving performance across every brand in our system.”
Key leadership updates include:
The company’s continued investment in leadership reflects its commitment to building a scalable platform that supports both emerging and established brands. By strengthening expertise across key functional areas, Empower Brands aims to improve execution at the local level while creating new opportunities for franchisees to expand and grow within the system.
“Our strategy is centered on empowering franchise owners with the tools, leadership and support they need to succeed,” Zide added. “With this expanded leadership team in place, we’re well-positioned to accelerate growth, strengthen our brands and deliver long-term value across the entire platform.”
With a diversified portfolio and a growing base of multi-unit franchise operators, Empower Brands enters the remainder of 2026 focused on driving sustainable expansion, enhancing franchisee performance and continuing to build one of the leading service-based franchise platforms in North America.
To learn more about Empower Brands and its array of franchise opportunities across its award-winning portfolio, visit EmpowerFranchising.com.
About Empower Brands
Empower Brands is a commercial and home services platform company encompassing ten industry-leading brands: JAN-PRO, FRSTeam, Archadeck Outdoor Living, Outdoor Lighting Perspectives (OLP), Conserva Irrigation, Superior Fence & Rail, Wallaby Windows, Koala Insulation, Bumble Roofing and Canopy Lawn Care. Empower Brands is dedicated to providing its customers with the highest quality products and services in the commercial and home services industries while simultaneously delivering its franchise owners committed personal support, tools and empowerment to pursue their own success. Empower Brands is a portfolio company of MidOcean Partners, a leading private equity firm with an excellent track record investing in successful, growth-focused franchise businesses. For more about Empower Brands, visit the company’s website at EmpowerFranchising.com.
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Evive Brands is launching its “Hands in Action” campaign in recognition of National Volunteer Month, spotlighting the meaningful ways franchise owners across its portfolio give back to the communities they serve.
The nationwide initiative showcases volunteerism and community service efforts from franchisees representing brands Assisted Living Locators, Executive Home Care, Grasons, Maid Brigade, The Brothers That Just Do Gutters, Shine and Pacific Lawn Sprinklers. The campaign aims to amplify the real-world impact of local business owners.
“Across our brands, we see franchise owners stepping up every day to support their communities,” said Ryan Parsons, Evive Brands CEO. “Hands in Action is about recognizing those efforts reflecting who we are as an organization—people driven by purpose, service and a commitment to making a difference.”
Franchisees are already demonstrating that impact in communities across the country.
In California, Assisted Living Locators Santa Clarita franchisee Kevin Hayden leads veterans groups at local senior living communities, creating a space for connection, shared experiences and access to veteran resources.
In Virginia, Executive Home Care Richmond owner Tim Hayes is hosting a community Alzheimer’s fundraising event in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Richmond, bringing residents together to support awareness and research.
Grasons of Clarksville, TN owner Jonathan Curri partners with local organizations including Yaipak, Habitat for Humanity, Manna’s Cafe Ministries and AMVETS to donate items from estate sales, helping individuals and families rebuild their lives.
Maid Brigade of Loudoun and Fairfax Counties operations manager Sally Crosen has contributed more than 3,000 volunteer hours to Habitat for Humanity, including providing free cleanings before home dedications to support families transitioning into stable housing.
In New Hampshire, The Brothers That Just Do Gutters franchisee Mike Manni is supporting workforce development by awarding scholarships to students pursuing careers in the skilled trades.
Shine’s founders continue to support orphaned and vulnerable children in Uganda through the Arrows & Hope initiative, funded in part by franchise growth.
Additionally, Pacific Lawn Sprinklers owner Steve Pellicane and his team volunteered to decorate a home for a local family facing cancer, bringing comfort and joy during a challenging time.
The Hands in Action campaign highlights the collective impact of franchise businesses locally while reinforcing the importance of community engagement across Evive Brands network.
For more information about Evive Brands, visit www.evivebrands.com.
Evive’s franchise brands—Executive Home Care, Assisted Living Locators, Grasons, and The Brothers that just do Gutters—contribute to the company’s mission of providing high-quality, compassionate care and expert home services. Evive collectively represents over 600 franchise locations across the nation.
For more information about Evive Brands and its franchise opportunities, visit www.evivebrands.com.