Michigan a Top 10 State for Franchise Business Growth in 2026
Posted By: DBUSINESS on March 5, 2026. For more information, please click here to read the source article.
Michigan will be the seventh-best state for franchise growth in 2026 and is projected to add 369 new businesses this year, according to a new Franchising Economic Outlook report from the International Franchise Association in Washington, D.C.
The growth in Michigan follows a year of macroeconomic headwinds, showing resilience of franchise businesses, which are expected to add 4,726 new jobs this year.
Overall, franchising in the state amounts to 264,155 direct jobs. The sector also contributes more than $27.2 billion to the state’s economy, according to the report.
“The resilience of franchising has enabled our model to adapt, endure, and thrive in the face of challenging macroeconomic headwinds, and Michigan has been a leader in this trend,” says Matt Haller, president and CEO of the IFA.
“Franchising is better positioned to navigate an improving economic environment than independent businesses due to tax certainty, lower interest rates, and investments in AI, and franchising in Michigan will lead the charge in brand growth, strong franchisee performance, and wage growth for the franchise workforce.”
In addition to Michigan, the top 10 fastest-growing states for franchising in 2026 are: Texas, Florida, Georgia, Arizona, North Carolina, Colorado, Utah, Ohio, and Maryland.
On the national level, the report projects more than 12,000 new franchised businesses in 2026, with economic output rising by 1.6 percent, exceeding $920 billion, and the creation of nearly 8.9 million jobs.
To view the full report, visit here.
« Back to Insights