The Surge
A studio from Philadelphia's Main Line opens its doors to franchise owners
Main Line Mahjong, based in Wayne, Pennsylvania, says it is the first American mahjong studio brand to offer franchises.
Main Line Mahjong, an American mahjong studio headquartered in Wayne, Pennsylvania, announced a franchise program on September 30, according to a company press release. The company describes itself as the first mahjong studio brand in the country to franchise, and says it is awarding franchises in select markets nationwide.
Per the release, franchise owners receive a structured teaching curriculum, teacher training certification, league and tournament formats, private and corporate event programming, open play, and a retail plan. The release does not state the cost of a franchise or how many locations are planned.
The release cites Yelp naming mahjong a top trend of 2026, with searches for mahjong clubs up 4,467 percent and searches for mahjong lessons up 819 percent year over year. The studio's name comes from a player's favorite line on the National Mah Jongg League card, the release says.
In Prim's opinion, the news is less about one company than about where the game now lives: in rooms built for it, with a teacher at the table. OOTT is not affiliated with Main Line Mahjong and does not sell sets or franchises.