Franchisee Demographics

Franchise Business Review - a market research company that focuses on the franchise industry - recently released their 2007 Franchisee Satisfaction Study. They surveyed over 14,000 franchise owners and asked about how satisfied franchise owners are with their business in general as well as details on the support they are getting from their franchise system.  Overall the results say franchise owners are basically satisfied.

I found the franchisee demographics quite interesting if not surprising - they are middle-aged white males.  Key quote:

"Franchisees for the most part are not a very diverse group – typically white, 40-something and male. That said, the “face of franchising” is changing, with more women, minorities and younger people entering the business daily."

The stats from the survey: 87% are white, 76% male and 68% between the ages of 35 and 54.  While other demographic groups are actively starting to invest in and operate franchises, the capital requirements and the franchise selection process favor this cohort.  As with all small business segments, we will see franchisee ownership become more diverse over the next decade.

I saw the reference to study on the Startupnation blog.