In the home improvement industry, sustainability is often framed in terms of product selection – things like low-VOC paints or recycled materials. But for LIME Painting®, sustainability begins much earlier in the process, rooted in how projects are approached from the start. By Tamara Rahoumi
Jeremy Thacker was no stranger to entrepreneurship. Throughout his career, he had owned multiple businesses and some franchises, but he hadn’t found the type of business he felt would endure until he retired. He knew he wanted to pursue the franchise route, having had experience growing businesses from the ground up. He was familiar with the benefits of a proven, turnkey franchise model. By Kelsi Trinidad
When homeowners and business owners face water damage, fire loss or mold issues, they want clarity, speed and someone they can trust to handle the chaos. 911 Restoration provides exactly that, backed by a growing network of franchise owners who work together to deliver a true fresh start. By Shelby Green
When Chase Atwell discovered NaturaLawn® of America in 2022, it planted a seed. By Lizzy Yeserski
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
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/.