Best Franchise Opportunities in Wisconsin

Wisconsin may be known for its cheese, but that doesn’t mean it’s the only thing the state has going for it. 

As a franchise broker, I review tons of different FDDs to understand things like territory rights, royalties, and franchisee obligations. 

By doing so, I equip myself to best be able to support aspiring franchisees that reach out to me. I’ve decided to write a series covering a lot of the states in the US where I delve into my thoughts on different states and what opportunities they present. 

It’s important to know that the Wisconsin selection below is just that – a selection of opportunities. It also means the list may not contain the right franchise for you. I have, however, written this article to give you insights into some of the thoughts you should be asking yourself as you get ready to find the right franchise for yourself. 

When you’re ready, make sure to schedule a call with me so I can help you out! 

Crumbl Cookies

Crumbl cookies has made it to the top of my list of the best multi-unit franchise opportunities in Wisconsin. In order to make it to multi-unit potential, there is a range of factors that need to be present.

(Don’t worry, later on, I also talk about some of the state-specific factors)

And I think Crumbl Cookies has a lot of those very important factors. First of all, even if the franchise has a rotating menu, the items are still sufficiently easy to make that a trained staff can handle it without your daily oversight. That’s important when you’re looking to scale! 

Secondly, Crumbl Cookies has high margins. It may be a premium cookie, but the products are priced so there’s a good chunk of profit per cookie sold. Trust me, I’ve been down the road of running a project where the margins were too slim, and it’s just hard. 

Low margins require extremely tight operational procedures, and there’s no room for mistakes. 

Thirdly, what I like about Crumbl Cookies is that it has a customer base that will return over and over. Can you imagine how excited kids become when they realize there’s a new cookie on the menu every single week? 

Wisconsin loves to indulge, and Crumbl Cookies has increased massively in popularity. It feels like it has become an overnight sensation! 

College towns are great for this product, and Madison comes to mind. However, you can also look into growing metros like Milwaukee and Green Bay. There’s a great mixture of youth in addition to families that will all be excited to have one of the best cookie spots in their backyard. 

What’s convenient is it’s an easy grab-and-go concept, so they can be brought home to the family. 

There’s no denying that Wisconsin is a different place when it’s winter, and walk-in traffic will be lower as a consequence. However, that’s when you’ll need to push online orders so that the business doesn’t stop at that point. 

Sport Clips

For guys, going and getting a haircut can either be a nice experience watching sport or it can be an experience of being forced into small talk while wanting to watch sports. Sport  Clips is that great franchise that’s part of the first experience. 

A scalp massage, fade, and some sports. What would a guy not want about that? In addition, Sport Clips is a great model that’s focused on recurring revenue (since hair keeps growing). You can expect that guys come in on average once per month as a consequence. 

Another benefit of this model is that hair keeps growing even when it’s cold out. It could mean that some people perhaps choose to go slightly longer between haircuts while it’s cold, but it doesn’t take away the demand. 

You want something that allows a semi-absentee model, especially if you’re scaling to multiple locations, and Sport Clips is great for that. 

There are 3 reasons why this is something to consider in Wisconsin: Packers, Brewers, Badgers. The harsh winters breed loyal sports fans, so may as well knock out the haircut and the football game at the same time. 

Sport Clips is higher up on the list of businesses that are easy to run, in part because of its lower employee count. You’re also less prone to lower demand during periods of tight economic conditions because Sport Clips is a business that’s appealing to the average person in terms of prices. 

Paris Baguette

Okay, this one may definitely be a step in another direction and could not be what entices you to start studying FDDs and territory rights. However, it could just be that you find it interesting. 

Paris Baguette is a fast/casual bakery café that definitely appeals to a certain market segment. On top of that, its artisan sandwiches have reasonable pricing, especially when considering the flavors they pack. Wait until you try the flaky pastries! 

Much like Crumbl Cookies, Paris Baguette is also a delicacy that will land your business on Instagram.

It’s a European twist that will make you want to go on a trip. 

The reality is this specific franchise requires the right location. Personally, I think there are neighborhoods in Madison or Milwaukee that are trendy where people appreciate what Europe has to offer. 

In my opinion, it’s a little bit of an elevated flair added to a sandwich. However, it’s achieved without being pretentious. This is a play where I would definitely have a location and marketing plan in mind before fully committing to it, at least for Wisconsin.

There’s certainly a value-driven mindset in the state, but I feel Paris Baguette manages to hit that line nicely. It’s not too much, but it’s still elevated. However, it’s not a business conceptI would choose to open outside specific areas of the state. 

Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming

It feels like everyone I know has a dog, and Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming is tapping into the growing pet market. With its grooming services and high-end but accessible feeling, it’s about giving your dog a good time. 

I’ve included this on the list because it surely feels like people are willing to spend about anything on their dog. For some, it feels like they love dogs more than they love their human friends. 

Wisconsin is no stranger to the fact that a lot of people have dogs, especially in suburban and affluent rural towns. Grooming is also a great option to ensure there’s recurring revenue coming in, keeping customers spending more on your business.

Factors to consider

When you’re opening a franchise, there are tons of things to consider. Some of those factors are more important to consider in some states over others, and others are plain obvious. 

In this section, I’m briefly touching on some of the aspects that are more relevant for Wisconsin. Yes, you surely shouldn’t open a dog grooming service if you don’t like animals. 

However, Wisconsin has pretty fierce winters, which is important to consider as you lay your business plan. What are your customers doing in the winter, and how do you make sure you’re still making money off of them? Those consideration aren’t quite as obvious in Florida. 

Consider the labor market you’re thinking about going into. Certain businesses (Sport Clips and Hydrate IV Bar) may require talent that’s not available everywhere in the state. 

Again, the companies listed above are all potential options in Wisconsin, but there may be many reasons why none of them appeal to you specifically. If you book a meeting, we can go over what’s important to you, and I’m sure we’ll find you the right opportunity then!