🧩 Franchising Industry Overview

• $860 billion in economic output from U.S. franchise businesses (2024 – IFA).
  
  
• Over 806,000 franchise establishments in the U.S. (2024 – Statista/IFA).
  
  

Franchising supports over 8.7 million jobs in the U.S.

📈 Growth & Opportunity

• The number of franchise units has grown 2.2% annually over the past 5 years.
  
  
• Franchising consistently outpaces non-franchise small businesses in survival and success rates.
  
  

By 2025, franchise employment is expected to surpass 9 million.

💼 Franchise Buyer Profile

• About 32% of franchise owners are first-time business owners.
  
  
• Over 50% of franchisees have a college degree.
  
  
• One in seven franchises is owned by a veteran (VetFran, IFA).
  
  Women-owned franchises have grown by more than 24% over the past decade.

💰 Investment & ROI

• Average initial franchise investment ranges from $100K to $500K, though many models start under $100K.
  
  
• Franchises offer higher average revenue per location than independent small businesses.
  
  

According to FranNet, 91% of franchises are still in business after 2 years, compared to about 55% of independent startups.

🧓 Franchising for Career Transition

• Nearly 60% of new franchisees come from corporate backgrounds.
  
  
• Retirees and laid-off professionals are increasingly turning to franchising for second careers or post-retirement engagement.
  
  

Franchising offers a "business in a box" approach – reducing startup risks with a proven system and support.

🌍 Diversity & Inclusion

• Minority franchise ownership makes up 26% of all franchise owners (vs. 17% of non-franchised businesses).
  
  

Franchising is one of the few sectors where minorities are more likely to succeed than in independent startups.