Prospective Buyer Behavior

Here we provide data and analysis of the motivations of buyers, behaviors during the franchise search process, and preferences for contact and communications. In summary, it is all about what we can observe about the actions that business and franchise buyers take before purchase.

Texas, Illinois and New Jersey Gain the Most In Franchise Interest as California Decreases

November 20, 2024 – In a year-over-year analysis, interest in franchises migrated eastward and selectively southward according to new data from FranchiseInsights.com. By comparing quarterly shares by state of inquiries about franchises for the third quarter of 2023 to the third quarter of 2024, there was a continuation of the shift in the mix of where aspiring franchisees were expecting to locate franchises

Prospects Sound Off on Their Satisfaction With the Franchise Sales Process

September 25, 2024 – Persons inquiring about franchises were mostly satisfied with their experiences, according to recent franchise prospect surveys over the five months ending in September 2024. Almost half (43.5%) said they were either “satisfied “or “very satisfied”, and only 19.2% said they were “unsatisfied or very unsatisfied.” 

Franchises Preferred Over Startups from Scratch or Legacy Businesses For Sale

September 10, 2024 – Individuals interested in business ownership preferred the option to “buy a franchise” over acquiring an existing business by a significant margin in the August business buyer survey. While almost 60% indicated interest in the franchise purchase option, only 42.3% were interested in buying an existing business for sale.

Franchisee Prospects Continue to Focus on Just a Few Concepts for Research

June 19, 2024 – Franchise buyer behavior has changed in many ways in the four years since the global pandemic began. One aspect, however, has stayed the same: most prospects still only focus on a single concept when requesting information about franchises, despite the thousands of offerings across dozens of categories in the franchise directories of the FranchiseVentures lead generation platform. 

Aspiring Business Owners Choose Franchises Over Startups or Businesses For Sale

March 13, 2023 – In a February 2024 survey, aspiring business owners preferred the option to “buy a franchise” over buying an existing business by more than a two-to-one margin. While 65.3% indicated interest in the franchise purchase option, only 31.6% indicated an interest in buying an existing business for sale.

The Key Personal Strengths Claimed by Today’s Aspiring Franchisees

November 22, 2023 — Most franchise inquirers believe they demonstrate three important characteristics for succeeding at business ownership.  Grit, or “persistence towards a goal despite obstacles” was cited by 53.0% of respondents in the October 2023 Startup Sentiment survey by Franchise Insights.

When Researching Franchises, Prospects Focus on Just a Few Concepts for Follow-Up

November 1, 2023 – As we have observed many changes in franchise buyer behavior in the three years since the global pandemic began, one aspect changed very little. Despite the thousands of offerings among dozens of categories in the franchise directories at FranchiseVentures online brands, most prospects still narrow their focus to a single concept on a visit to request further information about franchises.

Franchises Are Preferred Over Startups or Purchases of Existing Businesses

October 18, 2023 – In a September 2023 survey, aspiring business owners preferred the option to “buy a franchise” over buying an existing business by more than a two-to-one margin. While 65.5% indicated interest in the franchise purchase option, only 29.8% indicated an interest in buying an existing business for sale.

Franchise Prospects Affirm Key Strengths for Successful Ownership

July 19, 2023 — The majority of franchise inquirers profess having two of the most important characteristics for succeeding at franchise ownership, according to the June 2023 Startup Sentiment survey by Franchise Insights. “Willingness to follow a proven system” was reported by 60.7% of respondents

A Dependable Source of Lead Referrals to Your Franchise Development Website

June 14, 2023 — When evaluating franchise directory websites (portals), cost per lead is often a key decision factor, assuming quality standards are met. But leads submitted at franchise  portals also lead to substantial referral visits to franchisor websites, in addition to being a significant source of leads submitted at development websites, as we first reported in September 2022.

Franchises Are Preferred Over Purchases of Existing Businesses

In a recent survey of aspiring business owners, 18.4% indicated a preference for the option to “buy a franchise” over buying an existing business. While 39.5% indicated interest in the franchise purchase option, only 21.1% indicated an interest in buying an existing business.

The Top Prospect Motivations for Franchise Ownership in Q1 2023

April 19, 2023 – Control over one’s destiny continues to propel entrepreneurs towards owning their own business in America. Consistent with our large sample of interested franchise buyers over the past three years, “being one’s own boss” remains the primary motivator cited by entrepreneurs researching franchise ownership.

One Sure Way To Get Bonus Franchise Lead Referrals to Your Development Website

January 25, 2023 — When evaluating franchise directory websites (portals), cost per lead is often the key decision factor, assuming quality standards are met. But leads submitted at portals also lead to substantial referral visits to franchisor websites, in addition to being a significant source of leads submitted at development websites, as we first reported in September 2022.

The Primary Motivations for Franchise Ownership in Q4 2022

December 28, 2022 – Headlines about war, surging inflation and interest rates, and imminent economic slowdown were no match for the entrepreneurial instincts of Americans in the final months of 2022. The control over one’s destiny continues to propel entrepreneurs towards owning a business in America. 

Franchise Prospects Profess Key Strengths for Ownership Success

Willingness to follow a proven system, and ‘Grit’ are cited by most franchise prospects surveyed. By: Franchise Insights December 14, 2022 — Two-thirds of franchise inquirers profess having both of the two most important characteristics for succeeding at franchise ownership, according to the November 2022 Startup Sentiment survey by Franchise Insights. “Willingness to follow a …

Vast Majority of Franchise Prospects Focus on a Few Concepts for Research and Contact

August 10, 2022 – While many changes in franchise buyer behavior were noted over the last few years during the height of the pandemic, some things remained relatively constant. Despite the availability of hundreds of franchise offerings among dozens of categories in the directories at FranchiseVentures digital brands, most prospects still narrow their focus to …

Franchises Are Increasingly Preferred Over Purchases of Existing Businesses

 July 27, 2022 – In a June 2022 survey of aspiring business owners, 18% indicated a preference for the option to “buy a franchise” over buying an existing business. While 38.5% indicated interest in the franchise purchase option, only 20.3% indicated an interest in buying an existing business. While reasons for the preferences were not …

The Primary Motivations for Franchise Ownership Are Persistent

July 6, 2022 – Despite pandemic , war, and economic headwinds, the control over one’s destiny continues to propel entrepreneurs towards owning a business in America. In a very large sample over multiple years, “being one’s own boss” remains the main motivator cited by entrepreneurs researching business ownership across FranchiseVentures, the leading network of online …

Insights Into Franchise Buyer Personas from Rankings of Desired Franchise Characteristics

March 23, 2022 — There seem to be at least two market segments or distinct buyer groups reflected in the FranchiseInsights.com Small Business Startup Sentiment survey in their preferences for franchises. Respondents were asked to rank eight franchise characteristics in order of importance to their ultimate selection, along with a “not important to me” option …

Prospects Rank Desirable Characteristics of Franchises, with Surprising Results

March 10, 2022 — In the February FranchiseInsights.com Small Business Startup Sentiment survey, respondents were also asked to rank eight franchise characteristics in order of importance to their ultimate selection, along with a “not important to me” option for each. On the surface, “low cost of entry” and “higher earnings potential” were ranked highest, on …

The Primary Motivations for Franchise Ownership are Resilient

January 20, 2022 — Despite the disruptions to normal human behavior due to the global pandemic, the control over one’s destiny and financial independence continue to be the most powerful motivations for owning a business in America. In a very large sample over multiple years, working for oneself remains the main motivator cited by entrepreneurs researching …

Surveys Say It’s a Better Time to Buy a Franchise than a Home

September 22, 2021 – Preliminary results from the University of Michigan’s September 2021 survey of consumer confidence as reported by Business Insider show that the lowest percentage of consumers in four decades think that “now is a good time to buy a home.” High prices and low inventory have taken a toll on consumer enthusiasm …

The Pandemic Had Little Impact on the Primary Motivations for Franchise Ownership

September 1, 2021 — Some things haven’t changed, despite the global pandemic. The control over one’s destiny and financial independence remain the most powerful motivations for owning a business. In fact, working for oneself remains the main motivator cited by entrepreneurs researching business ownership across the leading network of online franchise information directory brands.  “Be …

‘Be My Own Boss’ Remains the Primary Motivation for Small Business Ownership

April 13, 2021 – A year of global pandemic has not significantly changed the primary drivers of business ownership. Financial independence and controlling one’s own destiny remain the most powerful motivations for owning a business. In fact, working for oneself remains the No. 1 reason cited by entrepreneurs researching business ownership across the leading network …

Google Searches Confirm Uptrend in Franchise and Business Startup Interest

June 18, 2020 – Interest in franchise and business ownership has been rebounding in Google search trends over the past two months, rising steadily after a steep slide during the early weeks of coronavirus uncertainty and mandated state and city shutdowns.  The search gains are confirmed by positive sentiment and increased investment inquiries from prospective …

‘Side Business Income’ Motivates Half of Potential Business Buyers

Dec. 12, 2019 – Owning a small business is not always a full-time venture – in fact, half of potential business buyers say that one of their motivations is owning a “side business for supplemental income.” That’s according to an ongoing survey of potential business buyers across the Franchise Ventures demand generation platform. Side-business income …

‘Lifestyle Rewards’ Rank as No. 3 Reason to Own a Small Business

Dec. 5, 2019 – Owning a small business can give you the freedom and flexibility to match different lifestyles, and that’s important to more than half of entrepreneurs answering a survey across the Franchise Ventures demand generation platform. More than half, or 56.5%, say “lifestyle rewards” are one of their top motivations as they think …

Income Potential Ranks as No. 2 Motivation to Own a Business

Nov. 25, 2019 – While a desire to “by my own boss” is the No.1 motivation for people thinking about buying a business, the potential to earn more money ranks a strong No. 2, according to the business-buyer survey across the Franchise Ventures demand generation platform.  Nearly three-quarters of respondents, or 72.5%, cite “income potential” …

One Third of Prospective Small-Business Buyers Ready to Switch From Corporate Life

Nov. 18, 2019 – More than one-third of potential business buyers are motivated by a desire to stop “climbing the corporate ladder,” according to the survey across the Franchise Ventures demand generation platform.  “In many cases, experienced managers and executives are ready to run their own show,” said Michael Alston, president of Franchise Ventures. “That …

‘Be Your Own Boss’ Tops List of Small-Business Ownership Motivations

Nov. 11, 2019 – The No. 1 reason that budding entrepreneurs want to own their own business is to “Be your own boss,” according to the survey across the Franchise Ventures demand generation platform.  A full 87% of users starting a franchise search said that being the boss was a primary motivation for them, beating …

Who Buys Franchises? Digital Prospects Show Focused Intent

March 20, 2019 – With so many different franchise options available to a local investor, it’s easy to assume that a typical franchise prospect is talking to lots of different franchisors at the same time. But that’s a wrong assumption. The largest analysis to date of prospective franchise buyers shows the majority are focused on …

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