LINE-X

More Than a Dozen New Locations Open or in Development as Demand for Vehicle Upfitting Continues to Rise

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — LINE-X, the global leader in protective coatings and vehicle upfitting, is building significant momentum in 2026 with an aggressive expansion pipeline that reflects increasing demand for aftermarket vehicle customization and fleet upfitting services across North America.

Following early-year openings and a strong development schedule through the remainder of the year, LINE-X is on track to add more than a dozen new locations, further strengthening its presence in both established and emerging markets. The brand kicked off the year with the successful openings of LINE-X of South Pittsburgh, PA, LINE-X of Roanoke, VA, and LINE-X of Eastern Panhandle, WV in Q1, setting the tone for continued growth.

“Our development pipeline in 2026 reflects both the strength of the LINE-X model and the growing demand we’re seeing across consumer and commercial segments,” said Matt Labuda, President of LINE-X. “We’re expanding into markets where there is a clear need for high-quality upfitting solutions, while continuing to support entrepreneurs who want to build scalable, service-driven businesses.”

Strategic Growth Across Key Markets

LINE-X’s 2026 expansion spans a wide geographic footprint, with new locations planned across the Midwest, Northeast, South, and Canada. Upcoming openings include:

• Q2 2026: Suffolk County, VA; La Porte, TX; Myrtle Beach, SC
• Q3 2026 (Projected): Hamilton County, OH; Bastrop, TX; North Indianapolis, IN; Morgantown, WV; SE Kansas City, MO; Rochester, NY
• Q4 2026 (Projected): Oneida, NY; Burlington, ON (Canada); Fairport, NY; Morristown, NJ; Apex, NC; Washington County, PA; Union County, NC

This expansion reflects a balanced approach to growth, targeting regions with strong population growth, active contractor and fleet industries, and increasing consumer interest in truck and vehicle customization.

Meeting Rising Demand in the Upfitting Industry

As more consumers invest in personalizing their vehicles and businesses continue to rely on efficient, branded fleets, LINE-X franchisees are uniquely positioned to serve both markets. From spray-on bedliners and protective coatings to advanced vehicle upfits, the brand continues to evolve its offerings to meet a wide range of customer needs.

The 2026 growth pipeline also highlights increased interest from prospective franchise owners seeking opportunities in service-based industries with multiple revenue streams and strong local demand drivers.

Building for Long-Term Market Presence

In addition to opening new locations, LINE-X remains focused on ensuring each market is set up for long-term success. The brand continues to provide comprehensive training, operational support, and marketing resources to help franchisees establish strong local visibility and customer loyalty from day one.

“We’re not just opening locations, we’re also building a network of operators who are committed to delivering quality and consistency in every market,” Labuda added. “Each new territory represents an opportunity to strengthen the brand and better serve customers at the local level.”

With a full pipeline of openings scheduled throughout 2026, LINE-X is poised to further solidify its position as a leader in the automotive aftermarket and upfitting space. The brand continues to seek qualified franchise partners in key territories across the U.S. and Canada.

For more information about available franchise opportunities with LINE-X, please visit www.LINEXFranchise.com.

New Collaboration Builds on $2M+ Partnership, Reinforcing LINE-X’s Commitment to Franchisee Success

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — LINE-X, the leader in vehicle up-fitting for over 30 years, recently announced that it has joined the Preferred Upfit Network for Merchants Fleet, the nation’s fastest-growing fleet management company. The signed agreement builds on a 5-year collaboration between the two companies with steady growth.

LINE-X Fleet Solutions will support Merchants Fleet with their growing need for high-quality, reliable upfitting services, helping to prepare vehicles for the field faster and more consistently. LINE-X has hundreds of locations that service up-fitting requests while maintaining national service standards across diverse applications and industries.

“This agreement deepens the longstanding relationship between LINE-X and Merchants Fleet and enhances the support we can provide to Merchants and their clients, but it also creates meaningful new opportunities for our franchisees,” said Matt Labuda, Vice President at LINE-X. “Partnering with Merchants Fleet is a strategic win for both companies, and we’re proud to bring consistency, speed, and innovation to a growing commercial segment that’s critical to the future of mobility.”

With LINE-X’s dedicated support team who centralize components of the fleet up-fit process, partners can trust that the job will get done right. LINE-X’s growing influence in the fleet space signals its continued commitment to serving franchisees by securing partnerships that offer long-term opportunity, stability, and innovation. From the outset, LINE-X has prioritized creating pathways for its franchisees to tap into commercial revenue and building meaningful connections within their local markets.

“Over the past five years, LINE-X has consistently impressed us with their reliability, responsiveness, and ability to adapt to our evolving needs,” said Charles Mathew, Assistant Director Orders & Upfits for Merchants Fleet. “As we invest in technology and begin incorporating EVs into our fleet, it’s clear that LINE-X is a partner we can grow with. Their forward-thinking approach and attention to detail give us confidence in where we’re headed.”

LINE-X, which originally gained global recognition for its premium spray bed liners and protective coatings, is proud to offer over 80 up-fitting services for medium and light-duty work trucks and vans. Services range from expert electrical work like strobe lights, light bars, and backup alarms, to truck toppers and truck caps, van shelving, rack systems and accessories, and life-saving safety equipment.

For information about available franchise opportunities with LINE-X, please visit www.LINEXFranchise.com.

The Leader in Vehicle Up-fitting Recognized as #1 in the Automotive Products & Services Category. 

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — LINE-X, the leader in vehicle up-fitting for over 30 years, was recognized as #1 in the Miscellaneous Automotive Products & Services category in 2024. The ranking, featured in Entrepreneur magazine’s print issue and on Entrepreneur.com, highlights the brands from Entrepreneur’s 2024 Franchise 500 ranking that ranked at the top of their industry categories. LINE-X was ranked in the overall Franchise 500 for the 18^th time.

“Being recognized as top in category is a testament to our franchisees and home offices hard work,” said Blair Boggs, President at LINE-X. “Consumers have lots of options, but they consistently turn to LINE-X because of our quality service and dedicated franchisees. We can’t wait to bring our service to more communities and continue to expand our network, ensuring that more people experience the reliability and excellence that LINE-X is known for.”

As a 30-year industry leader with a loyal customer base, seasoned leadership, and hundreds of locations across North America, LINE-X continues to evolve to meet market demands. The business model offers multiple revenue streams and proprietary products while maintaining low staffing and overhead costs. Supported by a proven system and a strong network of franchisees, LINE-X enjoys a significant scale advantage in purchasing, product variety, and business support—benefits that local competitors simply can’t match.

Entrepreneur‘s Best of the Best Franchises ranking is based on information submitted for its annual Franchise 500® and evaluated based on more than 150 data points in the areas of costs and fees, size and growth, franchisee support, brand strength, and financial strength and stability. The franchises selected as 2024’s Best of the Best are ranked at the top of their respective industry categories. There are 158 categories represented this year, a testament to the ever-growing diversity of industries represented in the franchise world.

“Everyone wants to know who’s the best—but at Entrepreneur, we go further,” says Jason Feifer, editor-in-chief of Entrepreneur magazine. “With so many incredible franchises out there, we love to celebrate the absolute best of the best. It’s the perfect place for any ambitious future franchisee to start looking for their dream brand.”

To view LINE-X in the 2024 Best of the Best list visit https://www.entrepreneur.com/franchises/directory/best-of-the-best.