Franchisee Success in Illinois: Low Cost of Living & Strong Business Climate

Are you contemplating a transition out of the bureaucratic corporate world and interested in launching an Illinois-based small business where you get to call the shots? Aspiring business owners in Illinois would be wise to give franchising a good, hard look.

The franchise model offers a compelling wealth-building opportunity and risk mitigation strategy for business professionals with strong leadership and communication skills, a positive mindset, an excellent work ethic and adaptability. Illinois franchise opportunities cover a diverse range of industries and at a variety of investment levels. At Franchise Solutions, we’ve assembled a research directory that includes the top franchises for sale in Illinois, in order to streamline your path toward small business ownership.

Is Illinois a good state for owning a franchise? There is plenty of evidence to suggest that, yes, franchising is an excellent option for starting a business in Illinois.

1. According to projections compiled by the International Franchise Association, Illinois was home to almost 4% of all franchise establishments in the United States in 2022, an indicator of the franchise business model’s strength and influence in the state.
2. The franchising industry in Illinois was expected to support a whopping 345K jobs in 2022 and $37B in economic output according to an analysis performed by FranData in 2021.
3. Many well-known franchise brands were initially launched in Illinois, particularly within the food industry. Among the most recognized franchise systems: Jimmy John’s, Dairy Queen and Portillo’s.
4. Illinois consistently receives accolades for its skilled and diverse workforce, many of which matriculated through one or more of the state’s 200-plus institutions of higher education.
5. The U.S. Census Bureau projects that the population of “The Prairie State” will grow by 4.7% between 2020 and 2030. This growth should underpin increased demand for goods and both B2C and B2B services, including those provided by franchised businesses.

What franchise industries are poised for the greatest growth in Illinois over the next decade? It’s an interesting and very important question for prospective franchisees. Our top 3 picks, based on demographic trends in the state, are the following:

1. Senior Health Care Services Franchises: With Illinois’ population graying, we anticipate increased demand for healthcare services catering to senior citizens. Franchises offering in-home care, senior living, and rehabilitation services are all expected to benefit from this shift in population composition.
2. Food and Restaurant Franchises: With an increasing population and the prevalence of dense urban areas, fast food chains, casual dining restaurants, and specialized food franchises are well-positioned for long-term growth.
3. Education Franchises: Illinois’ highly-educated workforce will continue to place significant value on learning, both for themselves and their children. Tutoring franchises, early education franchises and professional training franchises are all expected to benefit as the state’s skilled workforce grows and starts families.

At Franchise Solutions, we strive to convey our passion about the franchising industry and the opportunities for self-employment, independence, professional fulfillment and wealth creation that franchise ownership can create. Below is a curated directory of franchises for sale in Illinois, so that you can begin your due diligence process with confidence.