Franchise Statistics Bureau · 2026-02
How much GDP does US franchising generate?
Figures are published by third parties, compiled as-is, and may change. We do not independently verify the underlying data — check the source before acting on it. For reference only; not legal, tax, or investment advice.
$558.4B
Total US franchise GDP is projected at $558.4 billion in 2026, up from $549.9 billion in 2025. IFA's release puts the growth at 1.8%; the report's own summary table shows 1.6%.
The source gives both growth rates, so neither is shown here as the headline. In the report's key terms, GDP is the market value of finished goods and services produced within the country's borders, a separate measure from franchise output (IFA/FRANdata).
What this figure measures
An estimate of franchising's contribution to US gross domestic product in 2026, in billions of US dollars. The report defines GDP as the total monetary or market value of all finished goods and services produced within a country's borders in a specific period. The report's table labels the 2025 value an estimate and the 2026 value a projection, and states that its data analysis is produced by FRANdata.
How it was produced
The figure is part of the 2026 Franchising Economic Outlook, conducted by FRANdata for the International Franchise Association. The report says that, unless otherwise noted, all charts, data analysis and research in it are produced by FRANdata. Its methodology paragraph explains how establishment, employment and output projections are extrapolated from 2025 estimates, but it does not describe a separate procedure for the GDP series.
What it does not tell you
The growth rate is reported two ways: the press release and summary give 1.8%, while the percentage-change row in the report's own table shows 1.6% for 2026. GDP here is a different measure from franchise output, which the report defines as total sales, so the two dollar figures are not interchangeable. The estimate covers the United States only and is a forecast, not an official statistic.
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