JULY 13, 2026 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Littleton, CO – July 13, 2026 – Payroll Vault was recently named a top franchise by Franchise Business Review in its report on the Top Recession-Resistant Franchises for 2026.
Payroll Vault is a national payroll and HR solutions franchise purpose-built for small and mid-sized businesses. With more than 60 locally owned locations across the United States, Payroll Vault delivers end-to-end payroll, tax, HR, and compliance services. Each office is backed by national resources and deep regulatory expertise, while local franchise ownership keeps support personal, responsive, and rooted in the community.
Franchise Business Review, a research firm that conducts independent surveys of franchisee satisfaction, provides the only ratings of franchises based solely on actual franchisee satisfaction and performance. Franchise Business Review publishes its rankings of top franchises on its website, as well as industry reports throughout the year that highlight research on the top franchises in specific sectors.
More than 29,000 franchisees representing over 330 franchise brands participated in Franchise Business Review’s franchisee satisfaction survey over 18 months. From the research, Payroll Vault was one of just 50 franchise brands to be identified as a Top Recession-Resistant Franchise award winner and featured on the list of the Top Recession-Resistant Franchises.
Payroll Vault’s franchisees were surveyed on 33 benchmark questions about their experience and satisfaction regarding critical areas of their franchise systems, including training & support, operations, franchisor/franchisee relations, culture, and financial opportunity.
"The brands on this list have proven they can weather economic uncertainty," said Michelle Rowan, President of Franchise Business Review. "This year's Top 50 recession-resistant franchises earned owner satisfaction ratings 10 to 40% above the industry benchmark. If you're exploring business ownership right now, this list is the smartest place to start. These brands have performed in strong economies and weak ones, and their track record suggests they'll keep outperforming when conditions get tough."
"Being named a Top Recession-Resistant Business for 2026 validates what our franchisees experience every day," said Tricia Petteys, CEO and Co-Founder of Payroll Vault. "Payroll is an essential service, and demand doesn't disappear when the economy shifts. For entrepreneurs looking for a business with real staying power, that stability matters. This honor belongs to our franchise owners, whose commitment to their clients and communities makes our network as resilient as the model itself."
Visit FranchiseBusinessReview.com to see the full list of the Top Franchises of 2026.
About Payroll Vault Franchising
Payroll and Workforce Management services are growing requirements for small businesses. Payroll Vault Franchising offers the opportunity to own a boutique-style full-service payroll company supported by a team of experts and a nationally recognized brand. Franchisees are trained in business best practices and provided systems and strategies to operate a payroll business in an increasingly in-demand industry. From the 2012 franchise launch, Payroll Vault Franchising has rapidly grown due to exemplary client service and is an industry leader receiving many accolades and awards nationally. For more information, visit PayrollVault.com/Franchise.
About Franchise Business Review
Franchise Business Review (FBR) is a leading market research firm serving the franchise sector. FBR measures the satisfaction and engagement of franchisees and franchise employees and publishes various guides and reports for entrepreneurs considering an investment in a franchise business. Since 2005, FBR has surveyed hundreds of thousands of franchise owners and over 1,300 leading franchise companies. FBR publishes free and unbiased franchisee satisfaction research reports throughout the year online at http://www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com.
Media Contacts:
Payroll Vault
Callie Christiansen
Director of Marketing
callie.christiansen@payrollvault.com
Franchise Business Review
Mariah Morgan
VP of Marketing
603.501.1977
Mariah@franchisebusinessreview.com