Matt Hara
With America aware of Small Business Week, it is no secret that Florida is a model of economic growth. Not only is the weather, golf and the beach, but people are driving homes, families and businesses here. This is an opportunity the state offers.
Take a franchise that allows one or an innovator to create victory ideas and concepts and others to hang it. It is one of the oldest business models in the country, dating back to the American Revolution and the Benazimine Franklin printing presses.
By integrating into existing infrastructure, franchises allow aspiring entrepreneurs to enter the business rather than themselves. Instead of starting from scratch, franchise owners benefit from proven business models, built-in customer recognition, and operational systems that can take years to develop and refine.
Like Florida, franchises offer opportunities. It’s no surprise that franchises are thriving in Florida.
Recent data from the International Franchise Association (IFA) shows that the organization that leads franchise growth, which I am the Southeast president and CEO, is projected to increase growth by 6.2%, more than twice the 2.8% growth in the US economy in 2024.
Florida is supported by business-friendly policies and lower cost of living, and is ranked in the top 10 states where franchises are thriving. In 2025, the number of franchise facilities is expected to increase by 2.4% to a total of over 66,000.
Franchises range from more than 300 industries, from retail to healthcare, food, fitness to fitness and even pet care.
These franchises are names you know and love – Restaurant Brand International (RBI) has brands that include Burger King, Popeyeus, Tim Horton and fire station submarines calling Miami home. Additionally, the latest Florida entrepreneurs, including Richard Weissman, founder and CEO of The Learning Experience, and Nick Friedman and Omar Soliman, co-founders of College Hunks Hauling Junk. These entrepreneurs are recognized for helping them succeed, build their businesses and shape the future of their franchise.
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Franchises offer a path to entrepreneurship for everyone, but according to Oxford Economics data, it has a particularly impact on people of color, women and veterans.
Franchises, among other things, are small and medium-sized businesses, simple and simple. In fact, 81% of franchisees own and operate one location.
In 2025, it is projected to have more than 850,000 franchise facilities across the United States, employing more than 9 million Americans, and is projected to donate $936 billion to the US economy this year alone.
This weekend (May 9-10), many of the world leaders of franchise will be convened in Miami Beach for the 2025 IFA World Franchise Show.
If you’ve ever considered starting your franchise journey, Miami is where you are. You can explore franchise opportunities at all investment levels and industries and learn more about how to start your business the right way.
Hundreds of brands and businesses can enter one place at a time, answer questions and place aspiring business owners on the path to their own success. There are educational sessions designed to explain the franchise business model and experience the “Day in The Life” theater as the owner of the franchise.
From building networks and controlling the future, the global franchise shows provide tools and connectivity to launch your business with confidence.
During this small business week, you’ve ever wanted to get into business on your own, but if you’re not sure where to start, the franchise could be for you.
Matt Haller is the president and CEO of the International Franchise Association.
