How popular has franchising become?
The International Franchise Association (IFA) has reported that in the year 2000, franchisors and their franchisees accounted for $1 trillion in retail sales in the U.S.A. alone. This sum is said to represent 40% of all U.S.A. retail sales. Further, there are an estimated 320,000 franchise outlets employing over 8 million people and representing over 70 different types of businesses. The IFA further reports that a new franchise outlet opens every 8 minutes and that approximately 10% of all retail business establishments are franchise outlets.
