Franchise Development Prospects Believe They Possess The Strengths To Own Their Own Franchises
By: Michael Alston for Franchise Insights
April 22, 2026 – In the March 2026 Small Business Startup Sentiment survey, 58.5% of respondents cited Grit, or “persistence towards a goal despite obstacles” as a strength that emboldens them to pursue business ownership. Also, 55.4% also attested to their “willingness to follow a proven system”, an essential ingredient for succeeding at franchise ownership.
Many franchises require team leadership skills, and “team leadership experience” was also reported by over half of respondents, at 52.3%.
While 38.5% of respondents to this question included prior business ownership among their top three strengths, in the same March 2026 survey, 12% reported that they currently own a business.
“Access to sufficient startup capital” was reported by 33.8%, followed by 30.8% of respondents reporting a supportive partner or spouse. Further, 27.7% have experience in the business segment they are exploring for franchise ownership.
Survey respondents were invited to select only three of the seven factors provided, or to provide an “other” response, so the above are what they deem their most valuable attributes for franchise ownership.
It should not be unusual to find these traits in aspiring franchisees, given that the majority of today’s would-be franchise owners are near prime entrepreneurial age and leaving full-time jobs according to recent aspiring franchise owner demographics from the monthly small business startup sentiment surveys.
“Grit”, “willingness to follow a proven system”, and “team leadership experience” are most cited by franchise-seekers.
Grit was coined to mean “perseverance and passion for long-term goals” by psychologist Angela Duckworth and colleagues in a 2014 study of the predictors of success. The authors found that traditional predictors like intelligence (as measured by standardized tests like IQ) and talent — possession of extraordinary abilities — were secondary to what they came to define as grit. This six-minute TED talk by the author has been viewed over 17 million times.
Grit may be a desirable trait, but it is not sufficient for the successful operation of a franchise. The willingness of franchisees to follow a proven system is a known success factor, and the belief among today’s prospective owners that they possess that characteristic bodes well for the coming generation of franchisees.
In the most recent survey, 38.5% of respondents included prior business ownership among their top three strengths, and 12% reported currently owning a business.
An “other” category garnered additional valuable traits that individuals believe will lead them to success in franchise ownership. They range from professional skills to related experience to special co-investment partners.
The Small Business Startup Sentiment Index™ is based on a monthly survey of individuals who have recently inquired about businesses or franchises for sale on the Franchise Ventures lead generation platform. Data for this article was collected in January through March 2026.
Franchise Ventures is the leading franchise lead-generation platform for potential franchisees to thousands of growing franchise systems in the United States and Canada. Its franchise lead generation brands include Franchise.com, Franchise Solutions, Franchise Gator, Franchise Opportunities, Franchise For Sale, SmallBusinessStartup.com and BusinessBroker.net, and together they provide the largest aggregation of prospective franchise buyers in the U.S.
Interested in more insights from our proprietary data set? Subscribe here to make sure you hear about them first.
Contact Franchise Ventures to get your share of today’s aspiring franchise owners.
Published on Wednesday, April 22nd, 2026.