2010: A Growth Odyssey?: Annual Franchise Development Report Shows Mixed Results

One of the highlights each year at Franchise Update's Leadership & Development Conference is the presentation of the 2010 Annual Franchise Development Report (AFDR). Participants represented 38,800 units (28,300 franchised, 4,600 company-owned, and 5,900 international), and they plan to add 5,360 more franchised units this year through 3,400 franchisees.

The report--which contains in-depth information on lead generation, recruitment, budgets, sales team compensation, closing ratios, and other operations vital to lead generation and franchise sales--and delivers data by industry, by unit investment, and by system-wide sales--has been used by franchisors for more than a decade to benchmark their operations in these all-important development areas. (See below for ordering details.)

Before digging into the results of the report, we would be amiss if we didn't mention that the contrast of this conference with last year's was both dramatic and palpable: you could feel it in the air, in the hallways, in the conversations, in the presentations, and even in the economic forecasts.

Not surprising, really, as last year's conference took place in late September, just as the bottom was falling out of the global economy. Where attendees were glued to the news last year and speakers were darkening their forecasts on the fly, one year later it appears the economy has bottomed out and is tilting upward, if slowly and unevenly. And if the mood of franchisor executives at this September's conference is an indicator, uncertainty, gloom, and fear have been replaced by optimism and a sense that the next 12 months are going to be a time of growth, if somewhat moderated by the recent past (and the availability of capital).

That was the "feel" and atmosphere of the conference. Now let's take a look at the numbers. The results were presented by Steve Olson, publisher of Franchise Update Media Group.

 

ORDER YOUR REPORT TODAY!

The 2010 Annual Franchise Development Report (AFDR) delivers data organized by industry, by unit investment, and by system-wide sales, allowing franchisors to dig deeper within their own industry categories and investment levels to compare--and benchmark--their own operations with those of similar brands. New online research is also included.

The AFDR, the only sales and lead generation benchmark report available in franchising, identifies industry sales trends and top lead generation sources for achieving growth in 2010. For example:



The 2010 AFDR is packed with timely information and benchmarking data that can help your franchise system grow faster and close more deals. Based on in-depth interviews with 116 franchise organizations actively expanding their franchise systems, this thoroughly researched report reveals the franchise success drivers sure to boost the output of your sales department.

The 2010 AFDR, packed with the most comprehensive sales and lead generation data in franchising, is a must-buy selling tool for franchisors, development consultants, and advertising and marketing suppliers. The AFDR is ideal for benchmarking and building budgets and media plans.

The complete report, with analysis and benchmarks, is available now for $399. (Note: This report does not include multi-brand franchisors; a survey will be released later with their results.)

For ordering information, call Sharon Wilkinson at 800-289-4232 x202, or go to www.franchise-update.com/magazine/franchisedevelopmentreport/

Related Stories