By Amy Addington, Woofie’s

It’s estimated that there are 845,000 franchise units operating in the U.S. this year, an increase of 1.5 percent over 2025.

Franchise owners tend to be a diversified group, including women, veterans, and people of color, at disproportionately higher rates than in many other forms of business ownership.  For many — about 65 percent of franchise owners — their new role as franchise owner is a career transition versus their first business venture, with many coming from corporate management, followed by sales and marketing.

Could franchise ownership be a fit for you as a “second act”? From leaving the corporate grind, to striving for greater work/life balance, to pursuing AI proof careers, following are some considerations to assess if becoming a franchise owner might be a good next career choice for you.

1. Break from Corporate Grind: Are you seeking greater flexibility, better work/life balance or to leave the corporate grind and be your own boss? People who are self-employed, 60 percent, say they are more likely to be highly satisfied with their jobs over those who are not (49 percent), according to Pew Research. We also hear from our franchise owners that the leading reason for them to become a franchise owner is “wanting to be in business for themselves and make more money.” With franchises across hundreds of industries, there are many options. Consider what you see yourself doing and various roles required to fill as a franchise owner. While you may be able to better balance work/life, you will also likely need to put sweat equity in to get the business going, and may occasionally need to fill in for other employees.

2. AI Proof Careers: While no career is completely AI-proof, some may be more resistant to it than others, especially those that involve providing quality or skilled service, or leveraging human connection, decision-making, emotional intelligence, creativity, or trust. Businesses and careers focused on providing services, healthcare, and education may be more immune. Many also suggest that AI will likely increase jobs in technology, legal, regulatory, healthcare and mental health, and other spaces.

3. Leverage Existing Skills: While younger people are entering franchise ownership, the average age of franchise owners, overall, is mid 40s (Zippia). Many franchise owners also tend to draw on executive, management, or leadership experience, or backgrounds in sales, healthcare, corporate America, the military, that can translate well to franchise ownership.

Woofie’s of Farmington Hills owner Michele Peterson, for instance, combined her entrepreneurial dream and Fortune 500 experience in becoming a franchise owner. Before her current role, Peterson spent 30+ years in senior leadership in automotive and marketing technology at Publicis Groupe, Ford, and other global brands. She brings that same structured, service-oriented approach to providing reliable pet sitting, dog walking, and grooming.

4. Established Business Model: Franchise owners tell us they like systems and support of working with a franchisor over going into business themselves, and cite it as a leading reason to buy a franchise. Statistics from IFA, indicating over 60 percent of franchise owners are first-time business owners and 30 percent say they would not own a business without franchising, support it. Keegan Cravo, owner of Mosquito Squad in Hartford, Connecticut says having fellow franchisees to learn from and share best practices with has been a plus, “The most impactful support has included technology, such as the CRM, expert pest control guidance from Dr. Kurt, and the accountability and direction provided by our Business Advisor and other corporate leaders.” Consider resources the franchisor offers, including:

• Access to apps; CRM, marketing, management and other software, and phone support
• Marketing across paid, organic sources, and online presence
• Access to an experienced franchisor management team
• Training and mentorship with other franchise owners

5. Build a Family Business: Franchise ownership can provide families with shared purpose, while creating the possibility to build generational wealth. It can increase familiar bonds in working toward a shared goal and enable members to focus on how they can best contribute their specific skillsets. Kelley and Rob Gludt operate Woofie’s of North Baltimore-Owings Mills with their teenage son and business partner Romi. Michele Peterson is joined by her son, recent Miami of Ohio University grad, Gabriel, as operations manager. Consider your family’s shared interests and desires to become business owners and if it could be a good investment for your future.

6. Pursue Your Passions: What motivates you? Could franchise ownership be an opportunity to further your career, work more closely with your family or community, (85 percent of franchise owners live where they do business), pursue a love, or learn something new? Many consider franchise ownership to provide greater meaning in their lives. Consider the franchise business and culture, its alignment with your goals, the ability to give back or do things that inspire you, and grow.

From evaluating the business model to the market, processes and support, technology and systems, and details of the Franchise Disclosure Document – franchise ownership is not a decision to be taken lightly. However, for many it is also a fulfilling next chapter. Could it be a fit for you? Consider your favorite brands, examine the opportunities, talk with other franchise owners, and do the research.

Amy Addington is co-founder and president of Woofie’s, an Authority Brands company and premium pet services brand focused on pet sitting, dog walking and mobile pet spa services, that she built after leaving a successful corporate tech career more than 20 years ago. For more information about IFA franchisor member Woofie’s, please visit franchise.org/franchise-opportunities/woofies-pet-ventures-llc/.