Brands that create significant deal flow through brokers tend to fall into specific categories, and must be active to maintain mindshare.
"This is the biggest economic shock in the U.S. and in the world, really, in living memory. We went from the lowest level of unemployment in 50 years to the highest level in close to 90 years, and we did it in two months."
Franchising has never faced a threat like COVID-19. And yet, this recession, like others before it, will drive new buyers. Some displaced workers will find business ownership appealing. Others buyers seek supplemental income. Don’t stop your franchise development efforts. Engage and maintain forward momentum. It is also critical to supporting re-sales.
I often hear, usually from franchise recruiters, that recessions are "positive" for new franchisee recruitment because new entrepreneurs enter the market. Mid-career executives find themselves downsized and use retirement funds, severance or credit to launch a business. The new business creates income and the opportunity for personal reinvention.
Baby boomers are redefining retirement, because they’re not retiring. While 10,000 Boomers turn 65 every day, the Pew Research Center reports 29 percent of those 65-plus are employed or actively looking for work. Among younger boomers, 66 percent aged 54 to 64 still work.
Franchise buyers (as well as finance partners, debt markets and investors,) want evidence of your brand’s sustainability. Your franchisees are also considering expansion options - should they expand with your brand or look elsewhere for growth?
It’s a buyer’s market out there. Consider how many franchise buyers there are per year. Do new concepts attract new buyers to franchising, or pull from the existing buyer pool?
New year, new decade. Time to reflect back and look ahead. The franchise model is resilient—powerfully combining entrepreneurship, brand and community.
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