Consumers value the consistency of shopping at a franchised business and view franchised businesses as stable and reputable businesses. Consider the following statistics.

According to the International Franchise Association:

• There are more than 320,000 franchise retail outlets in the U.S.
• There are an estimated 1,500 different franchisors (franchise companies)
  operating in the U.S.
• The franchising industry employs over 8 million people in the U.S.
• Annual U.S. retail franchise sales in 2000- 1 trillion dollars
• Percentage share of all retail sales- 40% +
• A new franchise business opens every 8 minutes of every business day
• Approximately one out of every 12 businesses in the U.S. is a franchise business
• Seventy-five different industries use franchising as a means to distribute goods and services to consumers