Archived Research Reports

Franchised Business Ownership: Minority and Gender Groups, provides detailed information about minority and female ownership, including the percent of franchised businesses owned by minorities and women, comparisons of ownership rates between franchised and non-franchised businesses, and comparisons with results for IFA’s first report on the subject in 2002. In addition, the report provides information about ownership rates by size of business, and minority and female ownership rates in the food services and drinking places industry. Franchised Business Ownership: Minority and Gender Groups was prepared by PwC for the IFA Educational Foundation and is based on the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2007 Survey of Business Owners. Click here to view the report.

A report on the results of Operation Enduring Opportunity, a campaign of the International Franchise Association's VetFran Program. Prepared by the Franchise Business Review for the IFA in 2014. Click here to view the report.

A report examining the effects of health care reform on the franchising industry including cases studies that show how different franchise businesses are likely to be affected once the employer mandates take effect. Prepared by the Hudson Institute for the IFA. Click here to view the report.

In December 2011, the U.S. Department of Labor issued a notice of proposed rulemaking to revise the current Fair Labor Standards Act regulations pertaining to the exemption for companionship services and live in domestic services. This independent assessment of the impact describes how the rule change would affect businesses that operate as franchises. Prepared by IHS Global Insight for the IFA Educational Foundation. Click here to view the report.

A quick reference to the true impact of the proposed amendment to the FLSA. Click here to view the fact sheet.

Many franchise businesses take advantage of the loan guaranty programs offered by the U.S. Small Business Administration. This report, conducted by FRANdata on behalf of the IFA Educational Foundation, examines franchise loan performance compared to non-franchise businesses during the period 2001 to 2006. Click here to view the report.

This study was undertaken to provide both an overview and a glimpse of specifics in the minority programs underway in some franchise companies today. Click here to view the study.

Describes how four companies have developed their strategies and plans to deal with such challenges. The report describes how these companies developed their plans and also provides contact information and additional resources. (2005/2006). Click here to view the report.

In late 2005-early 2006, the International Franchise Association conducted an e-mail survey of its franchise-system members. View the results.

The IFA Educational Foundation and Community Wealth Ventures partnered to conduct an in-depth study to explore the use of franchising as a tool for both the nonprofit and franchising sectors. The goal of the project was to determine the lessons learned and challenges faced by existing nonprofit-owned franchises and to evaluate the strategic business case for expanding these types of businesses in the future. (2004/2005). Click here to view the study.

This report presents an update of the IHS Economicsforecast of the franchise sector of the U.S. economy in 2014.  Following a decline in the first quarter of this year related largely to severe weather and a sharp inventory correction, the U.S. economy rebounded with real GDP growth of 4.2% in the second quarter. We continue to expect economic growth averaging above 3% in the second half of the year. Click here to view the report.

The franchise business climate is improving for the fifth consecutive year, supported by a higher demand for unit transactions, improved franchisor capacity for growth, greater bank willingness and ability to lend, and an economy that is finally taking off. Click here to view the report.

Prepared for the IFA Educational Foundation by PricewaterhouseCoopers Based on data from the 2007 U.S. Census Bureau's Survey of Business Owners, this report measures the economic impact of  veteran-owned franchises on employment, labor income, and GDP. Click here to view the report.

A report examining the effects of health care reform on the franchising industry including cases studies that show how different franchise businesses are likely to be affected once the employer mandates take effect. Prepared by the Hudson Institute for the IFA. Click here to view the report. 

The RIFC 50 Index™ tracks 50 publicly traded franchise companies and is updated quarterly. Current quarterly reports are available on the RIFC website on the Franchise Indices page. The University of New Hampshire offers undergraduate courses in International Franchising at the Paul College of Business and Economics. Click here to view the reports.