Top Markets for Painting Franchises in 2026

Choosing a franchise isn’t just about selecting the right brand. It’s about selecting the right market. For painting franchises, location plays an outsized role in long-term performance.

The strongest territories tend to emerge where three factors align: high homeownership or dense commercial activity, consistent renovation and maintenance demand, and a population base large enough to support sustained growth.

The outlook for 2026 is especially strong. The painting industry continues to expand, and many high-value territories across the U.S. remain available. Below is a data-informed look at the types of markets showing the greatest opportunity, based on population trends, renovation patterns, and insights from currently available CertaPro Painters® franchise territories.

Why Market Selection Matters More in 2026

The demand landscape has shifted.

More homeowners are choosing refresh and maintenance projects over full remodels. Commercial properties are addressing deferred maintenance. Real estate activity is picking back up in select metro areas and surrounding suburbs.

Painting has returned to being a high-frequency service. In 2026, the right market can shorten ramp-up time, stabilize demand, and unlock faster scalability for franchise owners.

What Makes a Market Ideal for a Painting Franchise?

While no two territories are identical, the most successful painting franchise markets consistently share several characteristics.

1. Strong real estate turnover
   More moves mean more repaint cycles, across both residential and commercial properties.
2. Higher median household income
   Supports premium interior projects, full-home exteriors, and repeat service work.
3. Weather that accelerates repaint cycles
   Sun exposure, humidity, snow, and road salt all shorten paint life and drive recurring demand.
4. Commercial development and density
   Schools, offices, warehouses, HOAs, and retail centers create predictable, repeatable revenue.
5. Population scale for long-term growth
   Strong territories allow owners to scale beyond year two without quickly hitting a ceiling.

The Best Markets for Painting Franchises in 2026

Based on current demand indicators, population movement, and renovation activity, the most attractive franchise opportunities generally fall into three market categories.

High-Growth Suburban Markets

Expanding suburbs around major metro areas continue to perform well. These markets benefit from rising homeownership, new construction, and steady inbound migration. They often offer strong demand with less saturation than core urban centers.

Midsize Cities with Untapped Potential

Midsize cities can offer an ideal balance of population scale and competitive breathing room. These markets are large enough to support growth, yet often underserved compared to top-tier metros.

Commercial-Dense Urban Clusters

Urban territories with concentrated commercial assets—such as healthcare, education, logistics, and multi-family housing—support recurring maintenance work and long-term contracts.

These markets tend to reward owners who build strong operational systems and long-term client relationships.

Turning Market Opportunity Into a Franchise Advantage

Market selection sets the foundation, but execution determines outcomes.

The most successful franchise owners pair strong territories with reliable systems, disciplined operations, and consistent follow-up. That combination allows demand to compound over time.

A CertaPro Painters® franchise provides the structure, support, and brand recognition needed to capitalize on the right market—while avoiding the trial-and-error of building from scratch.

Explore Available Franchise Territories

If you’re evaluating ownership opportunities in 2026, market selection should be one of your first considerations. Many high-potential territories remain available across the U.S.

Explore available CertaPro Painters® franchise markets and start the conversation today.

Source: Public U.S. Census data and performance patterns from currently available CertaPro Painters® franchise territories.