WASHINGTON, June 5, 2013 – Franchises will continue to outperform the economy as a whole and grow at a slightly faster rate than other businesses, but the rate of growth remains unchanged from the 1st quarter 2013 forecast, according to the International Franchise Association’s second-quarter update to The Economic Outlook for Franchise Businesses report.
“Franchise growth continues to outpace other sectors of the economy as franchising remains the fastest way to grow and scale a business, despite the still uneven economic recovery and the onerous public policy environment facing our members and the small business community,” said IFA President & CEO Steve Caldeira. “We are concerned the headwinds facing the industry continue to hold back franchise development and job creation from its full potential.”
According to the forecast:
- The number of franchise establishments in the United States will increase by 1.5 percent in 2013.
- The number of jobs in franchise establishments will increase 2.0 percent in 2013, following a gain of 2.2 percent in 2012.
- The output of franchise establishments in nominal dollars in 2013 will increase 4.3 percent, following a 4.9 percent increase in 2012.
- The gross domestic product (GDP) of the franchise sector is projected to increase to $472 billion in 2013. This is approximately 3.4 percent of U.S. GDP in nominal dollars.
“We continue to expect that the economy is headed for another ‘spring swoon,’ this time brought on by the federal government’s spending sequester,” said James Gillula, managing director, consulting for IHS Global Insight. “The primary sources of the expected slow pace of GDP growth in 2013 will have a less direct impact on the franchise sector, and we expect the franchise sector will continue to outperform within many of the industries where franchises are concentrated.”
The analysis provides forecasts in 10 industry sectors:
- Business Services and Commercial & Residential Services will rank as the top two sectors in both franchise employment growth and growth of the number of establishments in 2013.
- Real Estate will rank first in output growth and will be among the top three in franchise growth for establishments and employment.
- Quick Service Restaurants – the largest franchise business line – will rank third in the growth of output and will see growth rates of employment and new businesses that are at or above the franchise sector average.
