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Some interesting statistics on franchisers salaries have emerged in the last week. Over the past few months, Virginia-based company FranData Inc has been soliciting franchisers for their payroll figures, in order to provide a broad look at pay across the franchising industry. The financial crunch has made franchisers much more cost-conscious, and by taking a bird’s eye view at the industry, and it’s safe to say they’ll find some interesting information here.

The Wall Street Journal described the FranData survey as “what’s believed to be a first-ever glimpse at how rewarding work at franchising companies can be”. The study reveals that the best paying managerial jobs are in the full-service restaurant sector, while the best-paid managers were in charge of legal departments or handling a franchise outlets site selection.

Follow the links to find specific info on annual base pay for franchise managerial and professional staff, comparative base pay by sector, and pay by franchise industry and size.

Yesterday we were discussing innovations that fitness franchises are implementing to attract business during what it is typically one of their busiest months of the years. Fitness franchises are not alone: just look at some of the changes food franchises are bringing in to attract new customers.

Some food franchises are betting on a breakfast resurgence. Oatmeal, that cheaply-made, unfashionable, extremely-filling breakfast meal has started to pop on the menus on Starbucks and Jumba Juice in cold-weather cities like Chicago. Considering that breakfast has become less and less integral for workers on the go, the return of oatmeal shows that franchises are thinking outside of the box to attract customers. Easily-made and highly nutritious, oatmeal is a perfect meal for the recession, and one wonder what other formerly passé foods franchises might bring into the fold.

Franchises have long been hoping that new technology might provide them with a competitive edge. Few food franchise markets are more competitive than the pizza industry, and signs show that franchises are turning to the internet to attract customers. Domino’s Pizza now lets customers order pizza on TiVo, while you can order Pizza Hut from the couch with your TiVo and Papa John’s now accepts text message orders. Each pizza franchise is obviously trying to adapt to the changing ways we interact now, but will these innovations really bring a flood of new customers, not to mention imitators? Time will tell, but franchisors obviously feel this is a risk worth taking.

As the year winds down, one question that continues to pop up – be it on radio or TV or in conversation – for people in the small business world is: what constitutes a recession-proof business?

As we all know, there is no wishing away the economic downturn at this stage. It has quickly become part of our lives and the most opportune investers are trying to position themselves with the business most able to weather a bad economic stretch.

There are a lot of theories about which industries are recession-proof. It’s certainly a subject that we’ve discussed on this blog. The truth is, there’s no way of exactly saying, as each recession differs from the one that precedes it. Interestingly though, Scott Shane, who writes for the website smallbiztrends.com and teaches entrepreneurial studies, compared data from the last two recessions (1990-1991 and 2001-2003) in search of trends among the small business that succeeded.

Shane used pretty rigorous criteria to determine a recession-proof business. A company had to experience a 20% increase in each of the following categories to be considered recession-proof: the number of establishments; the number of employees; the dollar amount of payroll; the number of establishments with 20 or fewer employees; the number of employees at establishments with 20 or fewer employees; and the dollar amount of payroll at establishments of 20 or fewer employees.

Pooling all of his data together, Shane found only a handful of industries that experienced booms as the rest of the economy slumped: banking-related businesses, accident and health insurers, health practioners and business consultants.

The findings are highly interesting, indeed. One thing Shane admits is that every recession is different, and so it is rare to see a business thrive in two recessions. As for thriving in three recessions, banking-related businesses are facing into a tough few months given the collapse of Wall Street. The future may look brighter for business consultants and insurers, though.

Shane also makes two other points:

• Some industries grow at a steathfully during a recession.
• Insurance, health care, and consulting tend to be recession-resistant industries for people running small businesses.

As for his second point, Franchise Direct brings you some of the most vibrant insurance, health care and consulting franchises in the industry. Find out more today.

The number of women-owned businesses in America.  The latest research conducted by the Women’s Research Center has found that there are over 10.1 million women-owned firms, with ownership defined as 50 percent or more state, throughout the country. These firms open employ 13 million people and contribute almost $2 trillion to the economy.

Read more about the advances of women in business at the Women’s Research Center home page

Even at times of economic uncertainty, turnkey businesses continue to be an appetizing prospect for people serious about being their own boss.

For those unfamiliar with the phrase, a ‘turnkey’ franchise is essentially one where the franchisee can walk in on the first day, and in effect ‘turn the key’ on their new business.

This is because the business owner has provided virtually every element required to starting the business, arranging everything from site location to lease signing to construction of the unit to the purchase of essentials for launching the business, and even in some cases, the hiring and training the staff.

The popularity of turnkey business raises an interesting question for franchisors: are franchises turnkey businesses? The answer depends. Some franchises owners go out of their way to provide every resource for new franchisees. But the flexibility built into franchising means that some companies will leave the business preparation completely to the franchisee.

If you’re a prospective franchisee, you have the freedom to choose the opportunity that’s right for you. Perhaps you’re a first-time franchise owner and you’d like to eliminate all of the hassle from getting your business off the ground. In that case, a turnkey business might be the right opportunity. But maybe you’d like to micromanage your business and want a hand in every aspect of its preparation. Turnkey business might not appeal to you.

The beauty of franchising is that there are many different opportunities in a range of businesses. Turnkey businesses are just one kind of model. Franchises themselves aren’t necessarily a turnkey business, but if you’re looking for a turnkey opportunity, Franchise Direct will find the company that’s right for you.