Express Employment Professionals Marks Mid-Year Franchise Growth with 29 Signed Agreements

Through the first half of the year, Express has welcomed 27 new franchisees. Of the 29 agreements signed, 26 were resales.

July 15, 2026 // FranchisePR.com // Oklahoma City — Express Employment Professionals is reporting steady mid-year franchise growth in 2026, with 29 total franchise agreements signed year-to-date. Growth has been driven largely by resale demand.

Among the resale agreements completed this year were transactions in Bloomfield, NJ; Syracuse, NY; Stockton, CA; and Mayfield, KY.

Across the system, Express continues to see engagement in franchise education and discovery. The organization has hosted seven Discovery Days this year, representing 31 territories.

“After years of working in the staffing industry, I knew I wanted to own a business of my own, but I also knew I did not want to figure everything out alone,” said Melissa Speaker, owner of the Express Employment Professionals office in Pensacola, Florida. “Having worked with Express for 14 years before becoming an owner, I had already seen the strength of the culture and support system firsthand. Taking ownership of the Pensacola office gave me the opportunity to build a business in my hometown with the backing of a team that is genuinely invested in helping franchisees succeed.”

Speaker’s path to ownership is one example of the different routes candidates are taking to join the Express system.

“We continue to see meaningful interest from candidates who are looking for both stability and long-term growth in a proven business model,” said Melissa Davis, Vice President of Franchising at Express Employment Professionals. “Resale opportunities remain an accessible entry point for many new franchisees, while we’re also seeing growing demand in targeted Canadian markets and key U.S. territories. The consistency of engagement across Discovery Days reflects the strength of the system and the opportunity ahead.”

Express reports a Fast Track incentive program for new franchisees intended to support early performance milestones and accelerate performance in new territories. Interest in available markets remains strong, particularly across Ontario and British Columbia, with continued demand in select U.S. regions.

The company also notes a pipeline of available territories, including opportunities across the Northeast U.S., with ongoing interest in established brand presence and market demand.

Express’s long-term goal is to place a significant number of people in work annually, aligning the company’s vision with helping people find good jobs and clients find good workers.

Express has received multiple industry recognitions. For multiple years, the brand has been recognized in Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 and ranked top in the Franchise 500 overall list. It has also been listed as a top franchise in Franchise Times Top 400 and in FranchiseDirect’s Top 100 Global Franchises.

SOURCE Express Employment Professionals