Last week, we hosted a corporate team building event at one of our Cork & Candles locations. From the outside, it looked like a typical group booking. People walked in, found their seats, and got settled. But within about 15 minutes, something shifted. Conversations picked up.Laughter replaced silence.People who had only met on Zoom calls before started engaging differently. And …
Experience-Based Franchises: The Future of Retail
For decades, franchising has followed a familiar playbook: Fast food. Retail. Fitness. And for a long time, that model worked. But something is changing. Today, a new category is emerging—one that is less about transactions and more about connection.
Why Experience-Based Businesses Are Replacing Traditional Retail
The 2025 economy proved one thing: stability is no longer guaranteed. Here’s why franchising in 2026 may be the smartest move for your future.
Why Experiential Franchises Outperform Traditional Retail in 2026
For decades, traditional retail franchises followed a familiar playbook: open a storefront, stock products, rely on foot traffic, and compete on price or convenience. But as we move into 2026, that model is no longer enough. Consumers aren’t just shopping differently. They’re valuing differently. The franchises that are outperforming today, and will continue to outperform in the years ahead, aren’t …
Lighting the Way: Cork & Candles Expands to Pittsburgh
Bob and Mary Kirk are bringing Cork & Candles to Pittsburgh, blending creativity, connection, and community in an inspiring new chapter of franchising.
The Story Behind Cork & Candles: From Family Business to National Franchise
For co-founder Dave Straub, the journey of Cork & Candles began in his childhood, making candles with his dad and selling them door-to-door. “When I was around 12 to 14 years old, I made candles with my dad,” he recalls. “I put them in a wagon, walked around my neighborhood, knocked on doors, took orders, came back to the basement, …
Understanding Franchise Fees and Royalties
When considering a franchise, it’s important to understand the fees involved and what they actually cover. The two primary fees are the royalty and the brand fund, sometimes called a marketing fund.
Franchise ROI: What To Expect in Your First Year
Opening a franchise for the first time is an unforgettable milestone. After months of preparation, planning, and learning the ropes, you finally welcome your first customers and see your vision come to life. It’s a moment filled with energy, pride, and a sense of ownership. As our co-founder Dave Straub reflects on his own experience as a franchisee for Brewsters …
Montgomery County Business Owner Chris Holloway Needs Second Kidney Transplant
After three decades in the mortgage business, Chris Holloway, now a Cork & Candles franchise owner in Ardmore, is facing his toughest challenge yet, the need for a second kidney transplant. Holloway was first diagnosed with a rare disease, FSGS, and underwent a life-saving transplant in 2016. Sadly, the kidney began to fail in May 2024, forcing him to begin …
Cork & Candles featured in Beyond Fast Food: Uncovering Unique Franchise Opportunities | Built By Me Podcast Ep. 2
Think franchising is just for burger joints and sandwich shops? Think again. In the latest episode of the Built By Me Podcast (Ep. 2), hosts Taina and Mo sit down with franchise expert and CEO of Milestone Franchising, Lisa Linkowsky, and let’s just say, this conversation goes places. We’re talking everything from pet waste disposal franchises to million-dollar buildouts and …