5 Trends That Will Shape Franchising Forever

The pandemic set many changes in motion, from the brands that thrive to the people who are becoming new franchisees. Here are the shifts that will grow even stronger in 2022 and beyond.

- By Kim Kavin

Could you see yourself starting a business in the next two years? If so, you’re in good company. Millions of Americans spent lockdown figuring out how to take the leap, and many of those people are turning to franchising to help them do it. So what can we expect from the franchises that all of these budding entrepreneurs will join, or start? Our experts say to look for everything from a boom in plant-based restaurants to shored-up supply chains, and an increased focus on work-life balance. If there’s one lesson we learned from the last two years, it’s that we must be prepared for the unexpected. But some shifts are solid enough to endure any fresh chaos. Here are five trends to watch for in the next 24 months.

1/ There Will Be a Significant Influx of First-Time Franchisees

One of the pandemic’s biggest surprises has been “The Great Resignation,” with Americans voluntarily leaving their jobs at a record pace. New-business applications were on a record pace in 2021. And this past September, nearly a third of U.S. workers reported that they’re quitting to start their own businesses— with 60% saying they used lockdown time to educate themselves on how to do it.