Main Line Mahjong Launches the Nation's First Mahjong Studio Franchise as U.S. Interest in Mahjong Explodes

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WAYNE, Pa., September 30, 2026 -- Main Line Mahjong (MLM), the popular mahjong studio brand founded on Philadelphia's Main Line, today announced the launch of its franchise program—becoming the first mahjong studio brand in the nation to franchise. The move opens the door for entrepreneurs across the country to bring MLM's signature blend of expert instruction, competitive league play, private events, open play, and beautifully curated retail to their own communities, just as mahjong becomes one of the most popular games in the U.S.

“Mahjong isn't just having a moment—it's meeting a fundamental, long-term societal need: real, in-person connection,” said Karla Crockett, co-founder and head of franchise operations and marketing at Main Line Mahjong. “We are proud to be the first brand to offer passionate entrepreneurs a proven blueprint to build a fulfilling and successful gathering place that brings joy to members in their own communities. We're taking the studio game to the next level and could not be more excited.”

The launch arrives during an irrefutable resurgence of a centuries-old tile game. Yelp named mahjong a top trend of 2026, reporting that searches for mahjong clubs surged 4,467% year over year while searches for mahjong lessons climbed 819%. Nationwide, mahjong events listed on Eventbrite jumped 179% in a single year, and industry analysts project the global mahjong market will grow toward roughly $3 billion by 2035.

Main Line Mahjong has leveraged the cultural momentum into a replicable, community-first business that is supported by a multi-revenue model and an unwavering commitment to bringing people together. Franchisees launch with MLM's proven playbook: a structured teaching curriculum that makes learning approachable, teacher-training certification, league and tournament formats, private- and corporate-event programming, open play, and a curated retail strategy.

At the heart of every MLM studio is a teaching style that turns the nervous first-timers into dedicated players and a system that delivers it consistently at scale.

“The magic of Main Line Mahjong is that someone can walk in never having touched a tile -- feeling slightly intimidated -- and walk out wanting more,” said Suzett Hamilton, co-founder and head of teacher & people training. “We've distilled our method into a teacher-training and certification program so every franchise studio delivers the same warm, hands-on, confidence-building experience that has made people fall for us in the first place.”

Traditional retail has been retrofitting stores with experiences to win back foot traffic lost by e-commerce. Main Line Mahjong was built the other way around. The experience is at the core of the MLM business model with retail enhancing the revenue opportunities. The Main Line Mahjong studio has a distinct look and feel true to the MLM brand: bright, stylish, approachable, fun and design-forward that also doubles as an inviting retail destination.

“People don't just want to play—they want to belong somewhere beautiful that brings a little happiness to their day,” said Megan Boss, co-founder and head of franchise sales and design/retail. “From the tiles on the table to the products on the shelf, every detail is intentional. We're giving franchisees a brand that looks as good as it feels, and a retail engine that only makes the experience better.”

Phones Down

Society is poised for a business primarily rooted in delivering a connection-building experience. Even as loneliness has been declared a public-health crisis—the U.S. Surgeon General likened it to smoking 15 cigarettes a day—Americans are actively seeking ways to unplug, fueling a boom in analog hobbies and phone-free experiences.

The Main Line Mahjong studio is not only capitalizing on the increasing popularity of American Mahjong, it is solving a real societal need:

• 47% of Americans say they experience loneliness during a typical day, and more than 1 in 3 feel less socially connected than they did five years ago. 68% say they struggle to build in-person community, according to a Talker Research survey conducted in 2026
• In 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General warned of a “loneliness epidemic,” comparing the health risk of disconnection to smoking 15 cigarettes a day.
• A 2025 YouGov survey found 47% of those under 30 are striving to reduce screen time, versus 32% of older Americans.

What's in a Name

While Main Line Mahjong was founded on the Main Line of Philadelphia, its meaning extends far beyond a geographical location. ‘Main Line’ is representative of a player's favorite line on the National Mah Jongg League (NMJL) card, or primary line. Similar to how the Main Line is home to the MLM founders, a player's main line on the NMJL card offers that same sense of comfort and belonging -- it's their home on the card.

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Main Line Mahjong was founded by a dedicated team of three couples coming together to support the operations, growth and success of the MLM franchise system. With deep industry knowledge and extensive careers across finance, real estate, operations, communications/marketing, design, merchandising, entrepreneurship, investing and community building -- the experience of the founding team is a unique asset to the Main Line Mahjong franchise offering. Full bios.

Main Line Mahjong is now awarding franchises in select markets nationwide, with early territories expected to move quickly. Prospective franchisees can explore available territories, investment details, and MLM's full support system at mlmahjong.com/franchise or by contacting the franchise team at franchise@mlmahjong.com.

About Main Line Mahjong

Main Line Mahjong (MLM) is an American mahjong studio brand headquartered in Wayne, Pennsylvania, founded by Suzett Hamilton, Megan Boss, and Karla Crockett. Sitting at the intersection of social wellness, lifelong learning, and community connection, MLM offers private lessons, group classes, competitive leagues, private and corporate events, open play, and curated retail—all in a bright, welcoming, beautifully curated space. Now franchising nationwide, Main Line Mahjong is on a mission to help players everywhere find their main line, form meaningful connections and enhance communities. Learn more at www.mlmahjong.com.

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