Ellie Mental Health PLLP has quickly emerged as one of the fastest-growing mental health companies in the United States. Founded in 2015 and based in Mendota Heights, Minnesota, the company has achieved remarkable success by combining a patient- and clinician-focused approach with a strategic franchising business model. From 2018 to 2021, Ellie’s revenue grew 544%, earning the company a spot on the Inc. 5000 list at No. 1,193. A key driver of this success has been its focus on Ellie Mental Health franchise growth, which has enabled the company to expand rapidly while maintaining quality care and clinician support.
Co-founder and CEO Erin Pash told Behavioral Health Business that the company’s emphasis on customer service and practitioner experience has resonated wherever they take the story of Ellie. “People respond when you prioritize both the patient and clinician experience,” Pash said. By prioritizing both patients and clinicians, Ellie has created a scalable framework that allows for nationwide expansion, fueling continued Ellie Mental Health franchise growth.
Franchising: A Strategic Growth Engine
Rather than attempting to scale nationally through corporate ownership alone, Ellie opted for a franchise model. Since launching its franchise program in August 2021, the company has sold and awarded over 400 clinic sites to roughly 130 franchisees across 32 states. This approach has been central to Ellie’s Ellie Mental Health franchise growth, allowing local entrepreneurs to replicate the company’s proven model while maintaining high standards of care.
Ellie currently operates 20 corporate locations in Minnesota and plans to open as many as five more by the end of 2022. In addition, seven franchise locations are open today, with 30 more expected by the end of the year. Pash shared that new clinics will continue to open weekly throughout 2023, demonstrating the ongoing pace of Ellie Mental Health franchise growth.
Selecting the Right Franchise Partners
Ellie’s franchise strategy is built around identifying partners with three key traits: a passion for mental health, excitement about the Ellie model, and entrepreneurial experience. Franchisees are often former business owners or franchise operators who are deeply connected to their communities. Pash explained, “In mental health, it’s hard to get buy-in because people don’t trust as easily as they do with medical health. If you walk-the-walk and talk-the-talk of your community, you’ll understand who the local football teams at the high school are, and all that kind of stuff.”
While franchisees don’t need to be licensed mental health professionals themselves, each clinic must have a clinical director who is a licensed practitioner. This partnership model allows entrepreneurs to focus on business operations while clinicians focus on patient care—another key factor in Ellie Mental Health franchise growth.
Supporting Clinicians and Innovating in Care
Ellie Mental Health aims to give practitioners the security of a larger organization while offering the flexibility of private practice. Minnesota acts as a test market where new care models, operational strategies, and innovations are piloted. Once refined, these approaches are systematized into training programs, financial models, and operational frameworks for franchisees—further supporting Ellie Mental Health franchise growth.
The company also offers telehealth services and is developing a proprietary app for patients and corporate partners. This technology will enable broader access to care and support employee wellness programs. Pash noted that the app is expected to go live by the end of the year, reinforcing the company’s mission to innovate while expanding, driving more Ellie Mental Health franchise growth nationwide.
Investment and Future Expansion
Earlier this year, Ellie secured investment from Princeton Equity Group, which has a portfolio including Massage Envy, D1 Training, and medspa810. This funding will accelerate clinic openings, support technology development, and help systematize franchise operations—paving the way for ongoing Mental Health franchise growth.
Conclusion
Ellie Mental Health’s story is one of thoughtful, strategic expansion. By blending high-quality mental health care with a scalable franchise model, the company has set a new standard for growth in the sector. Its focus on clinician support, patient experience, and community engagement ensures that every new clinic thrives. With ongoing clinic openings, telehealth expansion, and the launch of its proprietary app, Ellie Mental Health is driving nationwide Mental Health franchise growth, showing how innovation and care can go hand in hand.
