Heads up, franchise fans—noncompete clauses just got kicked in the teeth. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) just dropped a legal bomb: a final rule banning most noncompete agreements for employees nationwide. If you’ve ever relied on these clauses to protect your business—or worried they might come back to haunt you—here’s everything you need to know. And yes, franchising is in the crosshairs, but not exactly how you’d think.

Franchising isn’t just trending—it’s exploding. And in 2026, all signs point to the U.S. entering the most active period of franchise growth in modern history. With shifting attitudes toward traditional employment, rising access to capital, and improved commercial real estate opportunities, Franchising is helping more people than ever pivot from employees to empowered owners. So, what’s behind the surge—and how can you get in before everyone else catches on?