Boefly, “an online small business loan marketplace that connects business owners and franchisees with over 1500 banks”, polled 133 lenders to compile data that states that “many banks plan to originate more franchise loans in 2012″ than 2011. The study also shows perhaps not surprisingly that franchises consider the access of financing to be “very important”.

Some of the other data of note, which was provided by lenders:

• 83% expect to originate more franchise loans than they did last year (94 responded)
• 44% expect to originate $1 million to $20 million in small business loans in 2012 (36 responded)
• 40% require between 11% and 20% equity injection on a start-up, and 39% require between 21% and 25% equity injection (96 responded)
• 88% are willing to fund a borrower’s first franchise unit (92 responded)
• 81.5% would consider participating in programs for veterans (54 responded)

“Based on the insight provided by both lenders and franchisors, it is clear that growth is a priority for both lenders and franchisors this year,” said Mike Rozman, Co-president of BoeFly and the webinar’s moderator.

If this data holds, it could be a bigger year for franchising than we had expected.

The Global Economic Monitor launched its 2011 report late last week. Its evidence is fascinating, especially for those considering taking their franchise outside of America. Despite the doom and gloom, it is clear that entrepreneurship is on the rise around the world. The Washington Post reported that the “world’s so-called “innovation-driven” economies saw an increase of 22 percent in early-stage entrepreneurship in 2011 over the year before, as measured by the number of people operating a business that’s less than 3.5 years old.”

Findings were mixed in relation to the US economy. Apparently there has been a 60% rise in entrepreneurship in America in the last ten months, with 12% of Americans defined as ‘entrepreneurs’ but that’s only brings the country back to 2005 levels of entrepreneurship. Scott Shane on the Small Biz Trends blog has written a post on why these statistics should not be celebrated too much by people in the US.

But beyond our shores, it’s great to see such a big push to entrepreneurship. Perhaps there is reason to be exciting about the global economy.

Entrepreneur has explored this fascinating topic in a recent article. They quote a 2010 Harvard study of Best Buy that says that “a 0.1 percent increase in employee engagement drove $100,000 in operating income to the bottom line of each store per year”. That’s a lot of profit for a small amount of engagement, you have to admit.

The sentiment that positivity makes a huge difference for employees was then echoed by Chester Elton, who wrote a book called The Carrot Principle, which is all about the power of positivity.

“The number one driver of opportunity and well-being is recognition and appreciation. The Harvard study showed that you don’t just want employees satisfied, you want them engaged, because an engaged employee gives you their discretionary efforts,” he told the magazine.

This is something every business owner needs to keep in mind the next time one of their employees does even the most routine thing well.

The former Orlando Magic and LA Lakers just wrapped up one of the most decorated careers in NBA history last summer, but he is not resting on his laurels. You’ll see him on the TNT pre-game and post-game coverage of NBA games, of course, but Shaq has put a lot of his energy into developing his franchise brands. Not only does he already own 24-Hour Fitness and Five Guys Burger and Fries franchises, but he’s taken a big stake in Soupman.

Asked about why he was interested in the franchise by Franchise Times, Shaq spoke pretty directly “I tasted it one day,” he said. “It’s a good product with a great team. My favorite is the lobster bisque…it has lobster chunks.”

Shaq joins the likes of Reggie Jackson, Jason Alexander (George from Seinfeld) and Lloyd Sugarman of Johnny Rockets to play role with the soup franchise. Soup has a relatively small share of the food franchise market but with the muscle of Shaq behind it, perhaps The Original Soupman might turn soup franchises into the next sandwich franchises.

“Shaq brings the fact that he likes the soups enough to bring his fame to the endorsement,” Sugarman told the magazine. “He could endorse anything,” so endorsing The Original Soupman is a big plus for the brand, he adds.

President Obama made the following eye-opening comments on tax the other evening: “You can call this class warfare all you want, but asking a billionaire to pay at least as much as his secretary in taxes? Most Americans would call that common sense.” Obama preceded these statements with calls for millionaires to pay as much as 30% tax a year.

Now, serious reform to the tax system is required. We were interested to learn that the IFA had sent a letter to the President’s office nearly as soon as the speech was finished.

“Franchise businesses could grow significantly faster if the President and Congress offered solutions for long-term certainty on tax reform that do not raise taxes on small business, create additional credit access and a less burdensome regulatory climate that enables, rather than stifles, job creation.”

Will the President take the steps prescribed here between now and November? We can’t say but we’re pretty sure they’d ensure him four more years.

Blunt words, surely, but a statement that many facing into retirement would definitely agree with. After 30 - 40 years doing the same job, what happens to the body and mind when there is simply nothing at all to do but lead a leisurely life? Does one simply lose touch with the world and gradually fade away? One thing few retirees realize is that the end of a career does not have to mean the end to your working life. Franchising presents many, many opportunities for recently-retired people seeking a new challenge in business and in life. There are businesses that can be operated from home, at the leisure of the entrepreneur.

Co-founder of College Hunks Hauling Junk Nick Friedman has penned a pretty interesting article on the power of baby boomers in franchising. He provides 3 reasons why baby boomers are right for franchising:

• Boomers have the right skill set.
• Convenience.
• Motivation to be the boss.

We recommend reading the article and listening to Friedman’s argument for why baby boomers are perfect-suited to franchising. Ultimately, retirement can be a beginning, not an end.

I’ve been alerted to two interesting articles on veterans in franchising which each suggest that veterans will continue to enjoy more and more opportunities in franchising in the coming years. One centered on the large number of military veterans who attended last weekend’s Franchise Expo South convention in Miami Beach. CBS spoke with veterans who deliberately decided to attend the event with the hopes of finding an exciting new business opportunity. Vet Fran is there to help.

“We stepped up our campaign because of the need, the obvious draw down with the end of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. We’ve stepped up,” said Beth Solomon of VetFran.

The unemployment stats for military vets is devastating: up to 30% according to estimates. Vet Fran aim to get 7500 veterans into franchising by 2014 and are doggedly looking for more franchise talent. One person who just realized his franchise dreams is Pablo Atehortua, who fought in the Iraq war and has just opened his own Little Caesars franchise in Connecticut. Little Caesars have their own Veteran program and Atehortua is delighted with the opportunity. There’s an inspiring TV report about it here.

“It’s perfect,” he said. “It’s been a dream of mine, like everyone else who wants to open their own business. It’s great news.”

He gets to share his dream by providing employment for 50 people.

Nation’s Restaurant News was recently given an exclusive tour behind the new McDonald’s. I was interested to see that so many of them shared that similar Scandanavian aesthetic. You can view a slide show of the new McDonald’s here. They also interview Bryan Consolo, a McDonald’s franchisee who’s remodelled all three of the McDonald’s he owns in Northern Illinois. He’s received “overwhelmingly positive” to the redesign and also cited a similar European vibe to the new McDonald’s.

The new McDonald’s are big on chrome, colored bar stools and hanging light fixtures. Other new features include a double drive-thru, flat-screen TVs, Wi-Fi areas, and according to Max Carmona of McDonald’s, other “amenities in reimaged locations (that are) more relevant in consumers’ everyday lives.”

But how will these new renovations go down in the heartland? Part of McDonald’s eternal appeal seems to be their utilitarian layout. Will people in suburban areas really go to McDonald’s because the stores have a fancier, more European design? Franchisees like Consolo seem happy and perhaps that is all the proof we need that this initiative will thrive.

Dave Liniger, chairman and founder of Re/Max, one of the world’s biggest property franchises recently recorded a short video for Youtube that outlined his 10 predictions for the housing industry this year. There were three predictions that caught our eye which seemed to suggest that the real estate franchise market could experience sizeable growth in 2012.

• Interest rate will remain at or near historic lows.
• Home sales will make steady gains and end higher than 2011.
• Due to the changing market, consumers will increasingly rely on real estate professionals.

No one is underestimating any of the challenges ahead for real estate franchises for finding qualified home-buyers in a stuttering economy, but there is a hope anyway that if these three predictions come true, that real estate franchises could act a kickstarter for the domestic economy.

Over at CNBC, franchise coach Brian Miller of the Entrepreneur’s Source has outlined his perspective on the inherent potential of technology for franchises. In many ways, the internet has changed franchising forever. As Miller writes, “fifteen years ago, a prospective franchisee would have been drawn to a franchise by its potential for growth, brand power or geographic proximity to other like franchises. The individual would have called an inquiry hotline and been faxed or mailed information about opening a location. Furthermore, business would have been handled over the phone until the potential franchisee met with executives, prior to being awarded a franchise.”

In 2012, entrepreneurs rely heavily on trusted online franchise portals like Franchise Direct to discover the franchise that’s right for them. Our Prospective Franchisee Survey revealed that 75% of franchisees used the internet to research future businesses opportunities. As Miller writes, there is only one option for franchisees: adapt. You can go out on your own and employ SEO experts. Or you can utilize the services of organizations like Franchise Direct. We know the franchising world and better yet, we know how to connect you to the people who are ready to invest in your franchise.