Unity Rd. Named a “Franchise of the Future” by Entrepreneur Magazine

DENVER – Unity Rd., powered by ONE Cannabis Group, was named a “Franchise of the Future” by Entrepreneur Magazine. Appearing in the “health” category of the 2019 list, the cannabis franchisor was featured among physical therapy, accessibility/mobility, and health & wellness franchise concepts as the only cannabis retail brand on the list.

Entrepreneur magazine is a leading U.S. publication that shares news stories about entrepreneurship, small business management and business. The publication has been covering the franchise industry for more than 40 years and making trend predictions along the way. Its annual “Franchises of the Future” list is a compilation of the top 10 franchise categories they expect to do best in the year ahead, along with 347 trend-topping franchise concepts to watch.

The cannabis industry is projected to reach $30 billion by 2025, according to a recent study New Frontier Data. Unity Rd. COO Mike Weinberger said this number will be even greater as more states continue to legalize recreational and medicinal use. A common industry challenge he said is that countless newcomers attempt to enter the market each year and try to navigate the new opportunity, but soon find that it is wrought with challenges that make a formidable barrier to entry.

“Although many [newcomers] have past business operation experience, managing and building a cannabis business is a unique and complicated endeavor,” Weinberger said. “There are special considerations specific to cannabis concerning regulatory compliance, licensing, cultivating, taxes, banking, marketing and many more – making profitability and compliance challenging to the most business savvy entrepreneurs.”

He continued, “What’s great about franchising is that the initial success from one entrepreneur impacts the lives of so many others – allowing those who may not have the knowledge or access to resources necessary to have a viable opportunity to flourish. In my nearly two decades in franchising, I’ve never seen an industry quite like this [cannabis] that could benefit so much from the franchise business model. Beyond helping industry newcomers and existing operators find success, franchising is also helping standardize the cannabis industry.”

Earlier this month, Unity Rd. was named one of the top cannabis retail leaders in the nation by MJBizDaily, the most trusted daily news source for the cannabis industry. Chosen from more than 700 submissions, the U.S. dispensary franchise was one of five retailers to be named a finalist in the publication’s inaugural award program for the “U.S. Market Leader – Retail” category. The company joined the elite bench with Planet 13, Native Roots, The Apothecarium and Bloom Medicinals. The U.S. Market Leader Award acknowledges companies who are leaders in their category, utilizing the latest innovations and new or unique approach to expanding the industry as a whole.

The marijuana franchise launched in 2018 and has multiple agreements signed with eight entrepreneurial groups across the United States for development in Colorado, Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, Massachusetts, and Ohio, among others. Unity Rd. partners with industry newcomers, existing multi-unit franchisees who are looking to diversify their franchise portfolio as well as existing dispensary owners or operators. Total investments range from $1 million to $2.5 million, including a $100,000 franchise fee for a single unit or $250,000 for three units. Those interested in becoming a Unity Rd. franchisee should have access to a minimum $1 million in liquid capital. Franchisees may be owner-operators or passive owners with a designated, experienced manager running operations.

ABOUT UNITY RD.

Unity Rd., the retail brand of ONE Cannabis Group, is bridging the two previously disconnected worlds of cannabis and franchising. The industry trailblazer is the first to bring the cannabis dispensary franchise model to the United States—with duality of prowess in both industries to back it up. Built up from the legacy of Green Man Cannabis and infused with decades of franchise experience, the company helps eager operators and social equity applicants alike open their dispensaries with confidence by utilizing its turnkey franchise blueprint and deep network of seasoned experts to enter the complex industry with ease. The marijuana franchise pioneer offers its partners the knowledge, resources, and ongoing support needed to compliantly and profitably operate a dispensary. The retail franchise is powered by ONE Cannabis Group, which is a Colorado-based, vertically integrated cannabis company. Recently, it became the first cannabis business to earn a Franchise Times Dealmakers award – a recognition presented to the boldest players driving mergers and acquisitions in franchising.

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