Despite the unemployment rate in the US still hovering around the nine per cent mark, there have been definite signs that the economy is on the road to recovery.
This is certainly the view of Federal Government, Wall Street and Continue reading
Monthly Archives: December 2011
Increasing number of finance opportunities boost potential franchisees
Whilst the economic recovery is still tentative, there are definite signs of growth returning to many parts of the US. Indicative of this, are the higher numbers of people looking at Continue reading
Three million at risk of losing unemployment benefits
The continuing debate in Congress over a bill to address jobless benefits and payroll tax cuts, threatens to see more than three million people lose their unemployment insurance benefits.
The impasse has arisen over the specifics of Continue reading
IFA says credit increasing for businesses
Whilst the US business landscape still remains rocky for 2012, there are still a great many opportunities out there. One area that is certainly looking viable for people wanting to be their own boss is with franchise opportunities.
A major reason a franchise could present such a viable alternative to regular employment is the improvement in the accessibility of credit through the year ahead.
The improvement in credit options is largely because of the forthcoming election; as major financial policies that have remained stagnant for too long start to be resolved.
Those coming to a bank or other lending institution with a franchise opportunity also offer a far more attractive investment proposition, with 95 per cent of such businesses liable to succeed.
Improvements to the access of funding are also down to the efforts of the franchise industry movers and shakers. As the CEO of the International Franchising Association (IFA), Steve Caldeira put it:
“We’ve been working hard with the lending community and credit is starting to loosen up…”
Over the last ten years, franchising has performed extremely well against other industry sectors, with a growth of 40%. Though things slowed down in the last couple of years, decline was largely avoided.
Now things are starting to recover, projected growth looks promising, with many jobs being created and output being driven up.
Iconic brands have remained resilient, but emerging brands have really soared too. With business services expected to make up a large area of growth, one strand to keep an eye is printing franchises.
Franchise Expo set for Miami Beach in January
The sixth annual Franchise Expo South is heading back to Florida in 2012, to give those interested in starting their own business the chance to see what franchise opportunities are available. Continue reading