PBJ: Franchising seeing an uptick around Phoenix (and not just in food)

Following the downturn of the economy in 2008 and 2009, local companies began investigating ways to expand in their market via franchising opportunities—and the metro Phoenix area is no exception.

“This is a very strong franchise town,” FranNet franchise expert Harriet Moser told the Phoenix Business Journal. “Franchises do very well here.”

While franchising is seeing an uptick in the Phoenix area, to the surprise of many, those opportunities don’t come by way of the food service industry. The more popular and successful options are in commercial sign businesses and cellphone repair companies. Additionally, people seeking franchise opportunities frequently come from the corporate world and are hoping to be their own boss.

“These days there is a lot of talk about ‘follow your passion,’ I tell my clients to be careful about that,” Moser said. “If your work becomes your passion, you can lose your hobby.”