The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) introduces a consolidated set of tax changes that affect franchise owners, franchisors and private equity–backed platforms. By extending and clarifying provisions that had previously been temporary or scheduled to expire, the legislation provides greater predictability for tax planning by businesses and individuals alike.
Below is a high-level overview of the provisions most relevant to the franchise sector and how they may apply in practice.
A More Predictable Tax Landscape for Franchise Planning
Over the past several years, franchise operators have navigated a tax environment shaped by temporary provisions, expiring rules and incremental legislative changes, including the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 and COVID-era relief measures. OBBBA brings many of these elements together into a more unified framework.
By reducing uncertainty around expiring rules, the legislation may support more confident multi-year planning. For franchise systems, this added clarity may help inform unit expansion and financing decisions, capital investment planning, and long-term tax modeling.
Individual Tax Provisions with Operational Implications
Several individual income tax changes impact both owners and employees within franchise systems. The expanded standard deduction, which allows taxpayers to reduce their taxable income by a set amount without itemizing, is maintained.
These provisions include:
• Continuation of current tax brackets and lower rates, supporting personal planning stability
• New deductions for tips and overtime, which may influence payroll strategy for hospitality and service-based franchise systems
• An increased SALT (State and Local Taxes) deduction cap through 2029, creating planning opportunities for operators in high-tax jurisdictions, subject to income-based phaseouts
• Deductibility of interest on loans for certain new, U.S.-assembled vehicles, relevant for franchise owners, field teams and territory managers with fleet needs
• Charitable giving incentives expanded for non-itemizers
For franchise systems employing large hourly or tipped workforces, these changes may improve retention dynamics and after-tax take-home pay.
Business Tax Reform: Implications for Capital Strategy and Growth
OBBBA includes several pro-investment provisions that may benefit franchise operators, franchisors, and PE-backed platforms:
• 100% bonus depreciation for qualified assets placed in service after the effective date, allowing immediate expensing of certain investments in equipment, buildouts, technology and rebranding initiatives
• Higher Section 179 expensing limits, offering flexibility for small- and mid-sized operators managing unit-level capital needs
• Immediate expensing of domestic R&D, beneficial for franchisors investing in product development, technology, training platforms or operational innovation
• A permanent Section 199A Qualified Business Income (QBI) deduction, allowing a 20% deduction of qualified business income — beneficial for pass-through entities, including many franchise operators and PE-backed holding structures
These provisions encourage continued investment in store development, operational upgrades and system-wide innovation.
Estate, Gift, and Succession Planning Considerations
OBBBA raises the estate and gift tax exemption to $15 million per individual beginning in 2026, and retains the annual gift tax exclusion, currently at $19,000 per recipient. Multi-unit operators, family franchisees, and PE groups will have greater flexibility in structuring transitions and recapitalizations. For founders, the increases expand planning opportunities for ownership transitions or liquidity events.
IRS Administrative Enhancements
In addition to tax policy changes, OBBBA includes several modernization initiatives to improve IRS efficiency. These measures are intended to improve processing, streamline compliance and support more consistent administration. For large franchise organizations operating across multiple states, administrative improvements may reduce delays and support more consistent interactions with tax authorities.
Strategic Implications for Franchisees, Franchisors, and PE Investors
Taken together, OBBBA provisions improve clarity and predictability for planning.
At a high level, the legislation:
• Encourages capital investment at both unit and corporate levels
• Enhances tax efficiency for common franchise ownership structures
• Strengthens tools for succession planning, acquisitions and ownership transitions
• Creates potential cost savings that can be reinvested in operations and growth
Franchise leaders should evaluate these changes in the context of capital expenditure plans, remodel cycles, development commitments, compensation policies and near-term expansion strategies.
Understand Legislative Change with Grassi
Grassi’s Franchise Services and Tax advisors work with franchise owners, franchisors, and investors to evaluate how legislative changes, such as OBBBA, affect cash flow, capital planning, compensation strategy, and long-term growth objectives. Our team can help translate complex tax provisions into practical considerations aligned with your business objectives.
These topics were explored in greater detail during Grassi’s recent webinar, “The One Big Beautiful Bill: Key Tax Changes for Franchise Owners.” Watch the on-demand replay to hear our advisors walk through the legislation and discuss real-world planning considerations for franchise businesses.
To discuss how these changes may apply to your business, connect with a Grassi advisor today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA)?
A: OBBBA is a comprehensive tax package that consolidates and extends several tax provisions affecting individuals and businesses. For franchise leaders and investors, it is reduces uncertainty around provisions that were previously temporary or scheduled to expire.
Q: How does OBBBA affect franchise owners and operators?
A: OBBBA affects franchise owners through a combination of individual tax provisions, business investment incentives and changes that influence long-term planning. For franchise owners and operators, these provisions can impact cash flow, capital investment decisions and growth strategies.
Q: What does OBBBA mean for succession and ownership transition planning?
A: A higher estate and gift tax exemption of $15 million may help expand flexibility for ownership transitions, recapitalizations and liquidity events. Franchise owners should evaluate these changes as part of broader succession or exit planning discussions.
Q: How can Grassi help franchise leaders understand and apply OBBBA changes?
A: Grassi’s Franchise Services and Tax advisors work with franchise owners, franchisors and investors to evaluate how OBBBA provisions affect cash flow, capital planning and long-term business strategy, helping translate legislative change into practical planning considerations.
