Associated Press: US Employers Went on a Surprising Hiring Spree in December

Last month, U.S. employers made an unexpected move – they went on a hiring spree. According to a recent article in the Associated Press, the economy added 312,000 jobs in December. The unemployment rate rose to 3.9 percent, which is interpreted as a sign that people are looking for employment.

The new report and job growth is suggesting that employers think U.S. consumer spending is going to stay active in the coming months, according to the AP. With that in mind, businesses – including franchise brands – are figuring out their next steps when it comes to hiring. For some, that means actively looking for new employees.

In the article, Tara Riley, president of Fresh Coat*, said, “franchise owners are having to actively search for workers instead of simply posting ads.” She told the AP, “We realized it was a mindset change: You have to be recruiting, rather than hiring.”