IMAGE Studios® was recognized as one of the top 500 franchises in Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500®, the world’s first and most comprehensive franchise ranking. For 47 years, The Franchise 500® has been recognized as an invaluable resource for potential franchisees, and placement in the ranking has been a highly sought-after honor within the franchise industry. In the 2026 Franchise 500®, IMAGE Studios® has ranked No. 265, rising 79 spots from 2025, for its outstanding performance in areas including unit growth, financial strength and stability, operational and marketing support, and brand power.
“Being recognized in Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500® and moving up nearly 80 spots is a meaningful milestone for our entire IMAGE Studios community,” said Jason Olsen, Founder and CEO of IMAGE Studios. “This ranking reflects the strength of our model, the dedication of our franchise owners, and our commitment to building a brand that supports long-term success. We’ve always believed that when you create beautiful spaces, provide real support, and empower entrepreneurs to do what they love, growth follows.”
Throughout 2025, IMAGE Studios continued to build momentum across the country, opening new locations, welcoming new franchise owners, and expanding its footprint in key markets while maintaining strong unit performance and system stability. The brand also invested heavily in innovation, launching new education and support initiatives designed to help IMAGE Pros and franchisees grow with confidence. Looking ahead to 2026, IMAGE Studios remains focused on thoughtful expansion, continued investment in technology and design, and elevating the salon suite experience for both owners and professionals as it builds on its position as one of the most compelling franchise opportunities in the beauty and wellness industry.
In Entrepreneur’s continuing effort to best understand and evaluate the ever-changing franchise marketplace, the company’s 47-year-old ranking formula continues to evolve as well. Each franchise is thoroughly evaluated and given a cumulative score based on an analysis of 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 500 franchises with the highest cumulative scores become the Franchise 500® in ranking order.
Over its 47 years in existence, the Franchise 500® has become both a dominant competitive measure for franchisors and a primary research tool for prospective franchisees IMAGE Studios’® position on the ranking is a testament to its strength as a franchise opportunity.
To view IMAGE Studios® in the full ranking, visit www.entrepreneur.com/franchise500. Results can also be seen in the January/February 2026 issue of Entrepreneur, available on newsstands now.
