Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
Key Takeaways Women now own roughly 30% of U.S. franchises, up from 20.5% in 2013–2014.
Mentorship, core skills and real-world experience are critical for rising in franchising leadership.
Women-owned franchises often excel in creativity, organization, employee satisfaction and work-life balance.
When you’re a customer at a franchise restaurant, coworking space or retail store, you’ll usually find at least one woman working with customers on the front line. Today, it’s increasingly likely that there’s also a woman at the top, either as the owner or in a powerful executive position.
We celebrate women working as owners and leaders in the franchise industry every October 14th on Women in Franchising National Appreciation Day, which I’m proud to say my company founded in 2021.
It’s a day to acknowledge women working in franchising and highlight the spike we’re seeing in those entering the industry. We’re seeing it across all our brands, even those that were previously predominantly male.
Women continue to show growing numbers when it comes to franchise ownership across the country. About 30% of U.S. franchise businesses are owned by women, compared to 20.5% in 2013-2014.
I think more women are turning to franchising because they view it as a smarter and more secure path to business ownership; it offers (or should offer) training, setup, support, vendors, brand awareness, mass purchasing power and other critical backup. They recognize that because of these invaluable assets, franchises have a greater chance of success.
It’s had a ripple effect on the businesses themselves. I find that women are usually more creative and very organized than men. They tend to demonstrate greater empathy and stronger listening skills. Small Business Trends reports that women-owned franchises excel in employee satisfaction and work-life balance, often investing in opportunities that align with their values and passions.
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