Bill McPherson is regional vice president of retail network development for AlphaGraphics, a leading franchisor of printing and marketing solutions, PostNet, a global leader in high-quality printing and shipping solutions and World Options, a global leader of freight and logistics solutions. With more than 29 years of franchise leadership, he has led franchise development and real estate for B2B, B2C, retail, and in-home senior care concepts.
McPherson believes that owning a franchise simplifies the business ownership process while still providing franchise owners with the satisfaction of running their own business.
Franchise Chatter (FC): Franchising industry experts have noted that interest in franchising has been booming over the past several years. Why are so many people choosing to leave their corporate jobs and move into franchising?
Bill McPherson (BM): There are several factors that have contributed to the growth of franchising, so it’s not just one thing.
First, you have thousands of Baby Boomers who have retired from their careers but are still healthy enough to stay active. Many are investing some retirement savings into a well-established franchise so they can continue to earn money and stay active.
Secondly, there are many people who are tired of making money for others. They want to leave their corporate job and spend their time working for themselves. They figure that if they must work, they want the money they earn to ultimately stay with them.
Then there are those who want to go into business for themselves, but they know how many independent businesses fail during their first year. By buying into a proven business model and working hard, they can be their own bosses, but they have the safety net of brand recognition and built-in training and support.
FC: What new technologies have emerged that can make franchising more profitable in 2025?
BM: While franchises still need technology like customer relationship managers and marketing tools that can be used in the cloud, it is AI that has the most potential to disrupt the franchising market in 2025. AI can pull data from CRMs and sales management tools to forecast sales trends and highlight growth opportunities. It can help franchisees automate tasks to improve efficiency as well.
AI can also help franchises create tailored customer experiences that can be pushed out to individual franchise locations to improve customer satisfaction. It’s AI’s ability to analyze data to help franchisors track key performance indicators (KPIs), identify areas that need improvement and provide leadership with the insights necessary to make informed decisions about operational strategies.
FC: If someone has been considering leaving their corporate job for other career opportunities, why is 2025 a great year to join a franchise?
BM: Over the past several years, franchising has grown by leaps and bounds and is expected to continue a 2.4% growth rate in 2025, according to the International Franchise Association.
In addition to an expected growth rate, franchising is also experiencing a tech boom as more companies are choosing and developing apps to make doing business easier. Using artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML) and other apps, franchisors are now able to help their franchise owners optimize routine services, receive on-demand training and manage employees and customers using centralized technology.
An independent business may be able to purchase this technology, but it can be cost prohibitive to small companies. By joining a franchise that is forward thinking, business owners have access to this robust technology.
Franchising is also a good stopgap in an era of economic uncertainty. While there are certainly risks involved when anyone opens a new business, the risks are minimized if you buy into a franchising system.
To maximize the experience and potential as a franchise owner, you should follow a franchisor’s proven business model as part of your contractual agreement. For the franchise to be successful, their franchisees must be prosperous. That means that good franchisors will always work to ensure their franchise owners have the training they need and are often encouraged to seek help from their franchising peers.
FC: What franchising opportunities are booming in the current era?
BM: More people are requesting personalized and targeted products and services that are tailored to their individual needs. Franchises that can deliver a customized customer experience are popular because they provide the franchise owner with the opportunity to foster stronger customer relationships and give back to the community.
Other fast-growing franchises include those that are geared toward health and medical services, such as personalized home care, physical therapy and exercise franchises. Restaurants and entertainment franchises are perennially popular, but those that provide customers with quality and convenience are generating the most buzz in 2025.
FC: How can you be assured the franchise you choose will honor its promises and will be a lucrative option for the next several years?
BM: A reputable franchising company wants to be as open with its franchise candidates and should be able to provide you with historical financial data. However, one of the best ways to determine the health of a franchise is to talk with current franchise owners.
Another way to check on the viability of a franchise is to evaluate the level of training and support your preferred franchisor offers to its franchisees. Candidates should look for upcoming training schedules and ask other franchisees if ongoing support is readily available. One of the biggest reasons to enter into a franchising agreement is the fact that you have initial and ongoing robust support from both the franchisor and your franchisee owner peers.
FC: What things should franchise candidates consider when choosing a franchise to ensure they’ve chosen one that is right for them?
BM: Buying into a franchise isn’t something candidates should take lightly. In addition to a thorough vetting of a franchisor’s financials, potential candidates should take the time to learn about their franchisees’ satisfaction level, technological advancements and the makeup of the leadership team.
Buying into a franchise is a lot like marriage: you need to spend some time interviewing your future franchise partner and talking with other franchise owners to make sure this is the right fit for you. By the time you get to the end of your due diligence, you should have a good idea about the company’s culture and if it appeals to you. You will also learn more about yourself and how you will fit within the organization moving forward.
