Food trucks, coffee shops and gyms are adding jobs. Bars, laundromats and landscapers are shedding them. Here are the 14 business types first-time owners open most, ranked from BLS employment data for the first quarter of 2026, with what each one pays and costs to start.
| Business type | Jobs YoY | Establishments | Avg weekly wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Food trucks & mobile food | +7.6% | 13,075 | $523 |
| Coffee shops & cafés | +5.6% | 89,512 | $474 |
| Gyms & fitness studios | +4.0% | 47,160 | $443 |
| Pet care & grooming | +2.5% | 28,651 | $603 |
| Nail salons | +2.1% | 34,585 | $500 |
| Quick-service restaurants | +0.2% | 272,118 | $464 |
| Cleaning & janitorial | -0.1% | 83,480 | $664 |
| Auto repair shops | -0.2% | 86,416 | $1,155 |
| Full-service restaurants | -0.4% | 265,527 | $602 |
| Hair & beauty salons | -0.8% | 77,594 | $670 |
| Child day care | -1.1% | 79,617 | $632 |
| Landscaping services | -1.4% | 124,018 | $971 |
| Bars & taverns | -2.0% | 41,912 | $515 |
| Dry cleaning & laundry | -2.9% | 14,031 | $629 |
The three fastest-growing small-business types in the four largest states, jobs year over year, on one scale. Source: BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2026 Q1, private sector. Checked October 13, 2026.
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