Franchise Industry Research

Market Research for Small Business -- Stay informed and gain critical insights from IFA’s curated franchise industry research reports.    

Choose from a list of topics and deepen your knowledge and outlook of the franchise industry.  Identify market opportunities, and leverage data from industry research reports, business outlook assessments, and market research for small business, to reduce risk, to raise your competitive edge, and to stay poised and prepared for success.

2024 Franchising Economic Outlook

The 2024 Franchising Economic Outlook is IFA’s annual study in partnership with FRANdata detailing the franchise sector’s performance for the past year and projected economic outlook for the year ahead, as well as an in-depth state outlook for all 50 states and Washington, D.C. The report highlights sector growth across eight key franchising business lines and details regional trends, including the top states for franchise growth. It also provides key insights into the state of the U.S. economy, trends in business, and challenges facing small business owners.
Franchise Business Outlook

2023 Franchising Economic Outlook

The 2023 Franchising Economic Outlook is IFA’s annual study in partnership with FRANdata detailing the franchise sector’s performance for the past year and projected economic outlook for the year ahead, as well as an in-depth state outlook for all 50 states and Washington, D.C. The report highlights sector growth across eight key franchising business lines and details regional trends, including the top states for franchise growth. It also provides key insights into the state of the U.S. economy, trends in business, and challenges facing small business owners.
Franchise Business Outlook

IDENTIFYING & ADDRESSING TODAY’S LABOR CHALLENGES

A 2022 Study on the Impact of Labor Shortages in Franchising

The International Franchise Association (IFA) and FRANdata today released an inaugural annual study on the impact of labor shortages on franchised businesses. Surveying over 200 franchise executives representing 197 brands and approximately 90,000 units, the results show that quality of labor is the number one challenge facing small businesses. The survey also presents the ways franchisors are helping their franchisees address the shortage, highlighting how the franchise business model is uniquely equipped to adapt to today’s challenges.
Franchise Business Outlook

2022 Franchising Economic Outlook

Franchising had an exceptional year in 2021, and 2022 looks to be another strong year of recovery. Bolstered by both the strengthening labor market and steady consumer spending, franchising is expected to continue to expand, trending upwards with the United States’ overall economic progression, but the pace of the growth in 2022 is most likely to moderate, due to the current headwinds in the economy.
Franchise Business Outlook

FRANCHISE BUSINESS ECONOMIC OUTLOOK 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.
Franchise Business Outlook

Franchise Business Economic Outlook 2020

Today, the International Franchise Association (IFA) released its annual Economic Outlook Report detailing the franchise industry’s projected economic forecast for 2020. The Report offers an in-depth look into franchising’s growth trend from 2016-2019, as well as a state outlook for all 50 states and Washington D.C. Conducted by FRANdata, the Report forecasts how the franchise industry is expected to continue riding the economic boom in 2020, despite growing uncertainty around the economy.
Franchise Business Outlook