Franchise Operators Face Challenges, New Report Reveals Gaps
The American Franchise Academy's new report identifies significant challenges among franchise operators and their teams, including a lack of financial visibility and inexperience in leadership roles.
ATLANTA, July 13, 2026 – The American Franchise Academy (AFA) today released its 2026 State of the Franchise Operator Report, offering a comprehensive look at the realities of running a franchise business.
The report surveyed 879 franchise professionals nationwide, including multi-unit franchisees, district managers, unit managers, and frontline team members. The data was captured before participants underwent AFA training, providing an unfiltered snapshot of the operator landscape.
Key findings indicate that financial visibility is the number one challenge for nearly half of respondents. Furthermore, 57% of district managers have less than two years of experience in their role and lack professional training.
Additionally, 36% of unit managers have been in their roles for less than one year. The report also highlights that only 59% of frontline employees know how or when they can get a raise, marking the lowest engagement metric across all survey waves.
Aicha Bascaro, Founder & CEO of AFA, stated that the report aims to show these professionals they are not alone and to provide the industry with the data needed to start closing these gaps. The report will be published annually, coinciding with AFA's 10th anniversary.