In the past 10 years, franchised businesses have taken the U. S. economy by storm. Franchising grew up—from being a misunderstood business phenomenon to commanding the attention of Fortune 100 companies and Wall Street analysts.

Franchising delivers a market reach virtually unparalleled by any other business segment. And that market reach plans to expand into new markets—through stand-alone units, development agreements, co- branding, multi-unit operators or conversions. However franchising is viewed, the common denominator is growth.

Here are a few facts about the growth of franchising in the United States:

• Annual sales generated by franchised businesses [$1 trillion].
  
  
• Percentage of all retail transactions [33%].
  
  

• The number of establishments operated by franchised businesses in the U. S. in 2001 [767,483].
  
  
• People employed by franchises, about the same number as the U. S. durable-goods manufacturing sector, [9,797,117].
  
  
• The payroll provided by franchised businesses [$229.1 billion].
  
  
• The economic output of franchised businesses [$624.6 billion].

The business world is witnessing the continued importance of franchising in the long-term strategies of new and established businesses, corporations, international conglomerates, and ahead-of- the-curve, cutting edge entrepreneurial enterprises.

The bottom line: Franchising delivers— regardless of your target market.