Dallas-Fort Worth Business, Community, and Elected Leaders Discuss Economic Impacts of Franchising

Texas Ranked Top State for Franchise Growth in 2023

DALLAS/FORT WORTH, Texas – The International Franchise Association (IFA) brought its 2023 Open for Opportunity Roadshow to the Dallas-Fort Worth area this week. The Roadshow stop included a roundtable discussion on the state of franchising in Texas, a meeting on investing in Hispanic and Latino businesses in partnership with the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber, and a conversation on supporting veterans in franchising held at the Irving headquarters of Neighborly, the world’s largest home services company. Franchise small business owners, elected officials, and business and community leaders discussed the impact of franchising has on North Texas communities and how the industry can continue to support economic development in the region.

“The International Franchise Association’s 2023 Franchising Economic Outlook found that Texas is expected to be the fastest growing state for franchising in the United States—attributable to the entrepreneurial spirit of Texans and the business-friendly policies championed by elected officials,” said Matt Haller, president and CEO of IFA. “We brought Open for Opportunity to Texas to celebrate the rapid growth of franchising in the state and demonstrate the contributions of these local businesses to the communities they serve.  We look forward to continuing to work with our partners in Texas to ensure that it remains a top place for local franchises to call home.”

“When I was an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps, I never could have imagined the future that the franchise sector would offer me. Today, as a former franchisee and now as Chief Operating Officer for Neighborly, I understand firsthand, the upward mobility and opportunity that the franchising industry creates, especially for veterans,” said Mary Kennedy Thompson. “The same traits that make veterans successful in the military also make them great franchise owners and team members. Our work with the IFA and other local partners is critical in ensuring the strength of this life-changing business model.”

“Supporting small businesses and entrepreneurship across the DFW area is of the utmost importance, and I’m thankful to the International Franchise Association for helping to facilitate these critical conversations,” said Congresswoman Kay Granger (TX-12). “The franchise business model benefits the Texas economy in countless ways and enables aspiring entrepreneurs from every background to create a successful business. I’m looking forward to our continued partnership”.

“I’m proud of Texas’ status as the fastest growing state for franchising, and for good reason. Franchising gives Texans the opportunity to start their own businesses and to employ other members of their community right here in the North Texas region with good paying jobs and opportunities for career growth,” said Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker. “So many of my constituents want to become their own boss but don’t know where to start, and that’s where franchising comes in."

According to IFA’s recent 2023 Franchising Economic Outlook, Texas is projected to be the number one state for franchise growth. There are over 75,000 local franchise establishments in Texas, which provide more than 778,000 jobs. Last year, the sector provided $21.6 billion in payroll, generated more than $70 billion in economic output, and contributed $31.6 billion to Texas’s gross state product.

This year, the Open for Opportunity Roadshow has visited Minneapolis and St. Paul, Newark and the Meadowlands, and Las Vegas. The campaign  officially launched at the 2022 IFA Annual Convention.

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