Franchises in Tennessee

In addition to individuals, businesses also benefit from Tennessee’s tax policies. Ranking 14th among all states in the Tax Foundation’s Business Tax Climate Index, Tennessee has demonstrated an ongoing commitment to incentivizing business formation and hiring.

The fastest growing industries in Tennessee, and the largest employer within each industry, include:

1. Healthcare: HCA Healthcare
2. Automotive Manufacturing: Nissan North America
3. Hospitality and Tourism: Marriott International
4. Logistics and Distribution: FedEx Corporation
5. Information Technology: Dell Technologies

Starting a franchise in Tennessee makes sense due to the state's favorable business environment, robust population growth and increasingly-diverse range of industries. The low tax burden for individuals provides another compelling reason for startup entrepreneurs, small business owners and franchisees to call Tennessee home.

Tennessee has long been a fervent supporter of the franchise business model. According to the International Franchise Association, the almost-19K franchised businesses within the state created 219K jobs and accounted for $10B in GDP in 2021. Tennessee is also home to many of the most recognizable franchise brands. The top 6 franchise systems headquartered in Tennessee include:

1. MAPCO Express
2. Krystal
3. Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc.
4. Captain D's
5. Pancake Pantry
6. Taziki's Mediterranean Cafe