Jolly Backer, CEO of Fresh Healthy Vending “weighs in” on new franchise trends that he foresees for this year and beyond.
“As part of our research prior to the launch of Fresh Healthy Vending in 2010 we did substantial research into the trends most likely to impact the franchise industry in the years ahead and the following is a ‘snapshot’ of what we found” notes Backer.
Key franchising trends that we indentified fell into several categories but we see these three particular ones enjoying 7-10 years of robust growth before we start seeing any market saturation.
Innovative healthy food offerings
“Green” products and services
Health and wellness businesses
Franchising has seen a recent influx of trendy foodservice concepts. Some of the most notable of those include gourmet hamburger restaurants, as well as the return of frozen yogurt shops, many offering a new self-service spin on a concept that was first made popular back in the 1980s. Healthier foodservice concepts are also making impressive headway in franchising, such as our own Fresh Healthy Vending franchise and healthy pizza franchises such as Pizza Fusion and Naked Pizza featuring fresh and organic ingredients, as well as newer ethnic food franchise entries including Middle Eastern and Indian cuisine.
Of course, innovation and appeal isn’t limited to restaurants and foodservice. An influx of environmentally-aware franchisors and franchise buyers is carving out a new niche in franchising. Analysts believe some new leaders will soon start emerging, especially those that focus on solar technology and other energy savings-oriented businesses. With more and more people aware of and concerned about minimizing the negative impacts businesses have on the environment, it’s not surprising we’re seeing new franchise systems come along that focus on earth-friendly products and services, and that help consumers and businesses alike find ways to reduce their carbon footprint.”
Health and wellness businesses overall continue to focus on expansion through franchising. We’re seeing more wellness concepts in general coming into the franchise market. And of course, as the population continues to age, with more Baby Boomers fast approaching retirement age, we feel that senior-oriented franchise programs still have a lot of room to grow. Economic conditions that will remain, as the effects of the Great Recession slowly begin to abate, will also create new opportunities in franchising.
Franchise systems that take advantage of the new market realities, whether they are services designed to make healthier snack options available in vending machines or franchises that assist homeowners with energy cost savings and wellness related franchises will be well-positioned this year and likely in years to come.
