Though we missed seeing our franchise friends in person this year, IFA’s 2021 Virtual annual Convention was a success! A lot of people have been asking — How do I access IFA 2021 on-demand content? 

At the beginning of the pandemic, travel braked to a screeching halt with heavy restrictions on international flights and quarantine lockdowns discouraging interstate travel. But those changes fueled a strong increase in a venerable American tradition: the road trip. And more driving demand means automotive repair franchises are well-positioned for growth in 2021 and beyond.

Report provides an in-depth look at the franchise industry’s projected growth for 2021

Today, the International Franchise Association (IFA) released its annual Economic Outlook Report detailing the franchise industry’s projected economic forecast for 2021. The report offers an in-depth look into franchising’s growth trend following the economic fallout due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as an in-depth state outlook for all 50 states and Washington D.C. Conducted by FRANdata, the report forecasts positive growth expected for franchise businesses in 2021, provided continued federal support, and suggests the potential to reach pre-pandemic levels of economic output by the end of the year.

The 2021 Crystal Compass award recipient is Clarissa Bradstock, CFE, CEO, Any Lab Test Now Franchising, Inc.

Back in the old days it was called “store and forward,” a clunky term for the glorious service we now refer to as on-demand streaming. The reduced size of digital storage plus high-speed internet equals a chance for you to sit in with the franchise community from anywhere, and at any time that suits you. 

When the pandemic first hit the country in March 2020, business owners of all sizes had to quickly pivot their business development structures and models. With traditional marketing tactics like out-of-home or event marketing suffering, digital marketing franchises saw a heavy shift toward their model as more consumers shopped from their computers at home than ever before in 2020.

International franchising is mature in many markets, yet immature in others. Traditionally, franchising was more prevalent in a business’s home country and translation was seldom required. Today, international franchising is practiced by large and small organizations and is increasing in markets like Mexico, Saudi Arabia and China.

2020 changed just about every aspect of life in America, including franchise development. Against the backdrop of a pandemic and an economic slowdown, many franchises are now experiencing new growth. Thanks to 2020, however, the industry now has a much longer sales cycle.

Franchising your business internationally is an excellent way to grow, but it is not easy. To increase your chances of success, it is important that you: 1) Ensure your brand is ready for international expansion; 2) Search for and identify excellent, long term partners; and 3) Align on an agreement and prepare to “Go to Market”.