The economic outlook surged this week, with consumer confidence and the gross national product both leaping forward. And while personal spending slowed last month, personal income and consumer savings are on the rise. All are positive signs for the economy in general, and all bode well for growth in franchising and small businesses. Consumer confidence rose …
Small-business growth
Mobile Internet Kickstarts Small-Business Growth — 54% of Franchise Leads Start With Phones, Tablets and Apps
Atlanta, GA – (October 16, 2014) – Small-business owners and entrepreneurs are mobilizing – literally – to invest in new franchise opportunities as the U.S. economy enters a post-recession growth phase. They are “mobilizing” online, using smartphones and tablets to search for franchise investment opportunities through mobile websites and apps. More than half of franchise-recruitment …
Small-Business Optimism Down in Sept. Amid Slow Job Growth
The National Federation of Independent Businesses saw its optimism index drop 0.8 points in September, with lower job openings and planned capital spending holding back growth. “Small businesses just can’t seem to get out of second gear,” said NFIB chief economist Bill Dunkelberg. “A decline in job openings and capital spending plans were primarily responsible …
Health-Care Franchises Poised For Growing Demand, Plus 5 Fast-Growth Small-Biz Categories
The Affordable Care Act will increase demand for health care, according to a JD Supra report, and that’s just one reason it sees health-care franchises as attractive right now. It also sees lower costs for patients and attractive work conditions for doctors as key factors that make several kinds of health-care franchise attractive. Read more at JDSupra Health care is not …
New Options Emerge For Small-Business Loans
While lending to large businesses are on the rise, bank loans to small businesses have actually declined year over year. But Inc. magazine sees silver lining in that cloud, pointing out that Internet tech is providing a range of new non-bank lending for small businesses – read more at Inc.
Franchises Add 17k Jobs In July
Franchises hired another 17,010 workers in July, according to the ADP National Franchise Report. That’s about half of June’s increase, but consistent with lower hiring by all U.S. small businesses. “Franchise job growth slowed significantly in July,” said Ahu Yildirmaz, vice president and head of the ADP Research Institute. “Since many franchise businesses fall into …