Batteries Plus, a leading specialty battery and power solutions service center, is entering the second half of 2026 with significant expansion momentum. The company reported signing 15 franchise agreements covering 30 new units and opening 12 additional stores during the first six months of the year. This growth is driven by a strategic pivot toward a "commercial-first" model, targeting essential service sectors such as hospitals, school systems, and municipalities. Supported by new leadership and proprietary AI-ready technology, the brand is scaling its footprint across all 50 states and Puerto Rico to meet the durable, everyday demand for reliable power solutions in both consumer and industrial environments.
Batteries Plus Franchise Growth and Leadership Shifts
The first half of 2026 has been defined by rapid unit development and structural organizational changes at Batteries Plus. The brand successfully secured 15 franchise agreements that will bring 30 new units into the system, complementing the 12 new stores already opened this year. This expansion is being managed by a strengthened leadership team, highlighted by the promotion of Jon Sica from Chief Operating Officer to President. To support the pace of development, the company has also expanded its franchise development team, adding Rick Schanz as Franchise Development Manager of Resales/Conversions and promoting Scott Buchalter to Senior Director of Relations and Administration.
Strategic partnerships are also being utilized to drive this growth. The company named GoGather as its Official Strategic Event Management Partner through 2027 and engaged the marketing agency HOTDISH to refine development strategies aimed at sophisticated, multi-unit operators. These moves coincide with the brand's recognition in several industry rankings, including being named to the Entrepreneur Franchise 500 Hall of Fame for the third consecutive year and being recognized on the Forbes 2026 Best Midsize Employers List. With over 800 locations currently open or in development, the company is positioning itself to capture broader market share through both retail visibility and professionalized franchise management.
Commercial-First Model and Proprietary AI Development
A central driver of the current expansion is the "commercial-first" mindset, which focuses on high-reliability sectors. Franchisees serving municipalities, schools, and hospitals are reporting some of the system's strongest sales results to date. This shift is exemplified by the success of the Commercial First program, which helped drive significant growth in markets like the Minneapolis metro. By prioritizing these essential-service clients, Batteries Plus is tapping into a segment of the market characterized by durable, non-cyclical demand for power solutions.
Parallel to this commercial expansion, Batteries Plus is investing heavily in its internal technological infrastructure. Unlike many franchisors that rely on third-party software, the company is developing proprietary tools in-house. This follows several years of building an "AI-ready" enterprise architecture. According to Chief Development Officer Joe Malmuth, this internal development approach is intended to create specialized tools that reduce operational friction for franchisees and their customers. By building these capabilities from the inside out, the company aims to provide a more integrated technological experience that supports the complex requirements of both retail consumers and large-scale commercial clients requiring consistent power reliability.
Key Takeaways
- Batteries Plus signed 15 franchise agreements covering 30 new units in the first half of 2026.
- The company's growth is increasingly driven by a commercial-first model serving hospitals, schools, and municipalities.
- The brand is developing proprietary AI tools in-house rather than using off-the-shelf vendor solutions.
EnergyInsyte's Take
In our view, the strategic pivot by Batteries Plus toward a commercial-first model signals a sophisticated understanding of market resilience. By prioritizing institutional clients like hospitals and municipalities, the company is insulating its franchisees from the volatility often seen in pure consumer retail. This focus on essential-service infrastructure provides a more predictable revenue stream rooted in the fundamental need for power reliability. Furthermore, the decision to develop proprietary AI-ready architecture in-house, rather than outsourcing to third-party vendors, suggests a long-term commitment to operational efficiency and data control. This technological independence could provide a significant competitive advantage as the complexity of power management grows. For investors and developers, this combination of diversified commercial demand and customized technological scaling indicates a robust approach to capturing long-term value in the specialized power solutions sector.
Source: https://www.prnewswire.com/
