December 15, 2020
At the start of 2020, the franchise industry was poised for growth — a consistent trend over the past five years. What no expert could have predicted was the circumstances we faced due to COVID-19, but things are looking up for franchising. Image One is a janitorial services franchise that has made its name by paying attention to the smallest details and making valued partnerships throughout our industry. Today, we want to take a look at some of the top franchising trends we’ve noticed going into this new year and show you why franchising will stay in style for hungry entrepreneurial-minded investors.
1. Re-Opening of Businesses
B2B service-based had to pivot drastically to keep revenue flowing this past year. Businesses closing did change the way we do business, but COVID-19 will not last a lifetime. As talks of a vaccine start to ramp up and businesses open, we expect that business will roar back for B2B brands. Image One offered disinfection and sanitization services throughout the pandemic, which will act as another stream of revenue that our franchisees can offer.
2. The Typical Franchisee, Shifting Demographics
Before COVID-19, the typical franchisee was beginning to change. Younger demographics are starting to show increased interest in franchising, and now women are getting involved more than ever before. It’s terrific to see that franchising has become a well-reasoned concept for all types of people. This surge in female franchisees could also be the result of the newfound popularity of couples going into franchising together.
3. Mobile Businesses, Working Remote
From costs to an enhanced business ownership lifestyle, the advantages of a mobile business are overwhelming. Now that we are almost a full year into the pandemic: working remotely has become a societal norm that doesn’t seem to be going anywhere. According to experts, the expectation is for the number of remote workers to double in 2021. People prefer a lifestyle that isn’t dictated by their superiors 24/7, which is why we believe mobile franchise opportunities that don’t require a brick-and-mortar shop will increase in popularity.
4. Unemployment Rates Spark Franchising
One theme that we’ve seen across all industries is that today’s corporate worker is sick of uncertainty. Today there is still a large majority of the workforce that are out of jobs and having to file for unemployment to get by. We all wish that we had a little bit more control of our situation, which is why franchising is a perfect business opportunity going into 2021.
5. Support and Reputation
Small business owners struggled to keep their doors open throughout the pandemic, and some of those individuals have found themselves having to abandon their dreams entirely. The pandemic certainly tested the franchise system this year, and what came to the forefront was the undying importance of partnering with a team that treats franchisees like family. Throughout the early months of COVID-19, our janitorial services franchise team worked together to try and come up with ways to keep our business running smoothly. We gave guidance about applying for government-funded financial relief, added new services to bolster our existing offerings, and gave franchisees information on the importance of disinfection and sanitization in the workplace to boost credibility. Our goal has always been to put our franchisees in the best position possible to grow their business, and we knew COVID-19 was just another obstacle that we could overcome together.
Starting an Image One janitorial services franchise is a great way to build a business of your own with the help of a team that’s perfected the process. If you’d like to learn more, feel free to contact a member of our team today.