The franchise industry is well-positioned for growth in . The International Franchise Association (IFA) forecasts that the number of franchise locations will increase by 2.5%, to 851,000 total units.
“2025 is poised to be a banner year, and franchising remains a major driver of growth and upward economic mobility,” said IFA president and CEO Matt Haller.
Check out some of the top 2025 franchise trends and learn how they will affect this dynamic business model.
Five Franchise Trends
What can the franchise industry expect this year? Here is a lineup of five franchise trends driving the industry forward in 2025:
1. Focus on Support Services
Franchisors are responding to ebbs and flows in the economy by focusing on training and support to ensure their franchise system thrives. AtWork, one of the nation’s fastest-growing staffing franchises, provides ongoing guidance to the owners in its system through in-person, virtual, and self-directed learning and development opportunities, as well as a personal field operations coach. Its accounting team handles invoicing, payroll processing, client payment processing, and W-2 processing.
2. Financing Options Improve
High interest rates can hamper the ability of small business owners to secure attainable financing. , the outlook for entrepreneurs is strong. Total franchise output is projected to exceed $936.4 billion in 2025, up 4.4% from 2024. Unlike other firms in the staffing industry, AtWork franchisees can leverage tax credits to enhance profit potential.
3. Franchise Flexibility Continues
High building costs are prompting many franchisors to offer flexible prototype designs and ramp up their franchise conversion programs. Foodservice franchisors are targeting college dining hall locations, and others are planning drive-thru-only locations. AtWork franchise owners can launch a full-service staffing business with minimal employees in a small footprint location. Whether brands offer smaller locations or encourage independent business owners to convert to franchises to increase sales, flexibility fosters future growth.
4. Demand for Business Services on the Rise
As the IFA’s annual Franchising Economic Outlook with FRANdata discovered, business service franchises are on the rise, expected to reach $107.9 billion, a 2.7% year-over-year increase. Within this sector, full-time and temporary personnel services are among the fastest-growing categories, driven by businesses seeking high-quality labor. Staffing franchises like AtWork are well-positioned to help companies meet this demand.
5. AI Rollouts Up
The market for AI products and services could reach as high as $990 billion by 2027, Bain & Company reports. The franchise industry will stay ahead of the technology curve by relying on AI and automation for customer service and operational efficiency. Many brands use chatbots on their websites to answer questions from potential franchise candidates, while other brands incorporate AI into employee training tools.
Make 2025 Your Year with AtWork
Explore your franchise possibilities in 2025 with AtWork. The staffing franchise stays nimble to address current and future franchise industry trends. In addition to offering comprehensive support, AtWork is staying ahead of the curve lowering operating costs through tax credits and giving franchisees flexibility with small locations that require minimal staff.
Get started to learn how you can partner with AtWork to build a business in the lucrative staffing industry.
