This 'Dream' Franchise is Climbing the Franchise 500 and Looking Stronger Than Ever With impressive unit growth and an investment in tech, this brand is redefining the 'travelpreneuer' opportunity.

If you love travel and want to own your own business, Dream Vacations may be the perfect franchise opportunity for you. If you're an aspiring "travelpreneur," you'd be far from the only one. Founded in 1991 and franchising since 1992, Dream Vacations achieved a milestone in 2024: It reached and surpassed the 2,000-unit mark.

And that's just one of the reasons Dream Vacations comes in at #41 on the 2025 Franchise 500 (up 13 spots from last year) and is the top-ranked franchise in the travel agency category for the fourth year in a row. It scores in the top 5% in size/growth on this year's list, has strong financials, and scores in the top 10% for brand strength.

"Dream Vacations continues to shine with accolades for innovation, culture, and franchisee satisfaction," says Debbie Fiorino, Chief Operating Officer for Dream Vacations. "Our organization is particularly celebrated for its support of veterans, ranking as a top franchise overall for veterans and earning a 5-star rating from VetFran. A welcoming, collaborative network is a key pillar of our success, with franchisees from all backgrounds thriving in this inclusive network."

All in on tech and artificial intelligence

Blending cutting-edge technology, enhanced support systems, and a proven suite of resources to empower franchisees, Dream Vacations has embraced artificial intelligence (AI). Franchisees can now access AI-powered tools to build dynamic itineraries, generate social media content, and streamline the creation of marketing campaigns. In 2025, an AI-powered Learning Assistant will debut, transforming how franchisees access training and best practices, the company says.

This comes on the heels of completely revamped and updated websites for franchisees. The new digital storefront improves the franchisee experience with an upgraded content management system, "making website customization as simple as editing an email," Fiorino says. "Franchisees can now easily tailor images, links, banners, and vacation highlights to align with their niche markets."

Strength in an expanding community and a growing opportunity

Dream Vacations added 204 U.S. franchises over a one-year period, and 591 over three years. This impressive growth means that the brand's community of passionate "travelpreneurs" is growing, too. In 2025, Dream Vacations is planning regional training events that will expand across the U.S. –in Orlando, Dallas, San Francisco, and more. Niche-focused gatherings, such as the River Summit in France and the Luxury Summit in Miami, are expected to further enrich franchisees' expertise.

"Each event offers opportunities to learn, network with industry leaders, celebrate as a community and – frequently – for franchisees to travel and explore the world themselves," Fiorino says.

If you ask Fiorino, she will tell you that Dream Vacations' low-cost, home-based franchise model offers unmatched flexibility, backed by the robust resources of its parent company, World Travel Holdings.

"As consumer demand for leisure travel surges, this franchise opportunity ideally positions aspiring entrepreneurs to succeed in a booming industry," Fiorino says. "For those who are ready to transform their love for travel into a fulfilling business, Dream Vacations provides the ultimate pathway to success."

Click here to learn more about Dream Vacations and their exciting franchise opportunities.