Small Business Startup Sentiment Index™

Monthly Index of Prospective Business Owners

FranchiseInsights.com measures Small Business Startup Sentiment™ Trends data with monthly surveys of persons inquiring about franchises and business opportunities since January 2020. The monthly report Includes survey response summary data and time series for future business owners on:

  • Perceptions about the current startup environment, along with comparisons to three months ago and three months into the future
  • Anticipated time frames for business startup
  • Key economic, financial, and environmental factors influencing the decision to pursue business ownership
  • Demographics of survey respondents, including employment status and age cohort, and race/ethnicity.

January 7, 2025Aspiring Business Owners Enthusiastic About Startups in 2025
December 4, 2024Funding and Political Concerns Drop Among Aspiring Business Owners
November 5, 2024Aspiring Business Owners See Blue Skies Ahead
October 1, 2024Concerns about Funding and Access to Credit Are Finally Receding among Business Buyers
September 3, 2024Most Business Buyers Looking Beyond the November Election for Their Startups
August 5, 2024Three Quarters of Aspiring Franchisees Expect Their Startups Within Six Months
July 9, 2024Startup Sentiment is Steady, but Demographic Mix Shifts
June 4, 2024Aspiring Business Owners See Near-Term Startup Conditions Staying About The Same
May 1, 2024Aspiring Franchisees Still Upbeat, But Fewer Exuberant about Three to Six Months Out
April 2, 2024Clearer Skies Ahead: Record Percentage of Aspiring Business Owners Upbeat About Startup Conditions
March 6, 2024Aspiring Franchisees Expecting Startup Within Three Months Reaches Record
February 7, 2024Startup Sentiment Surges to 13-Month High
January 2, 2024Startups Planned for Next Twelve Months Rise to One-Year High
December 5, 2023Rising Trendline Shows November 2023 Startup Sentiment At The Highest In Fifteen Months
November 6, 2023Prospects at Prime Entrepreneurial Age, Leaving Full-Time Jobs, Are the Core of Today's Business Seekers
October 3, 2023Now Is The Time to Launch Startups, Say Aspiring Franchisees
September 5, 2023Aspiring Franchisees See September As Prime Month to Launch the Startup Process
August 8, 2023Percentage of Business Startups Planned For Next Three Months Grows on Improving Sentiment
July 5, 2023Entrepreneurs Increasingly Optimistic About Startup Conditions This Fall
June 6, 2023Uptrend Seen in Entrepreneur Sentiment Toward Future Startup Conditions
May 2, 2023Over 77% of Aspiring Startups See Conditions In Three Months the Same or Better Than Now
April 5, 2023Aspiring Franchisees Leave the Pandemic Behind
March 7, 2023Over 59% of Aspiring Business Owners are More Likely to Start Now than Three Months Ago
Feburary 8, 2023Over 58% of Aspiring Business Owners Say ‘Now is a Good Time’ to Launch Their Startups
January 4, 2023Despite Worsening Conditions, Record Share of Entrepreneurs See Startups Within 2023
December 6, 2022Slim Majority Agrees 'Now' is Good for BusinessStartups, But 83% See Conditions 'Same or Better' In Three Months
November 2, 2022Worst Business Startup Sentiment in Two Years, But Most See Conditions Same or Better In Three Months
October 5, 2022Sentiment Dips, But the Majority of Prospective Business Buyers Still See Now as a Good Time to Start
September 7, 2022With Fewer Prospective Business Buyers Seeing Conditions Improving in Three Months, "This Month" Is Now the Most Popular Startup Time Frame
August 3, 2022Startup Intent "Within Three Months" Hits All-Time High Despite Concerns™ Startup Sentiment Remains High, But Concerns Rise about Future Business Conditions
July 12, 2022 June Startup Sentiment Index™ Startup Sentiment Remains High, But Concerns Rise about Future Business Conditions
June 1, 2022 May Startup Sentiment Index™ Confidence Higher Among Business Buyers than Consumers in May
May 3, 2022 April Startup Sentiment Index™ Despite Headlines, Aspiring Business Owners More Optimistic than Three Months Ago
April 5, 2022 March Startup Sentiment Index™ Access to Funding Tops Worries, but Business Startups Undaunted
March 3, 2022 February Startup Sentiment Index™ Startup Sentiment Tested by Geopolitical and Market Turmoil, But Remains Strong
February 2, 2022 January Startup Sentiment Index™ Despite Lingering Pandemic, Financial Market Volatility, and Geopolitical Concerns, Startup Sentiment Remains Resilient
January 5, 2022 December Startup Sentiment Index™ Percentage of Business Startups Planned for First Quarter is Highest on Record

Startup Sentiment Among Franchise Seekers Stays On Uptrend Despite Market Volatility

May 7, 2025 – Startup sentiment among entrepreneurs exploring franchise ownership in April was a bit less sanguine than the record set in March, but remains in an upward trend despite market volatility tied to tariff negotiations. Surveys in the last week of April 2025 showed 71.4% of persons exploring ownership agree or strongly agreed that “now is a good time for startup”, following the 84.5% record set in March.

Record Optimism a Tailwind for Franchise Development

By: Michael Alston for Franchise Insights April 16, 2025 – Franchise development teams should enjoy a new tailwind in prospect optimism. Surveys in the last week of March 2025 showed a record 87.5% of persons exploring ownership agree or strongly agreed that “now is a good time for startup”. In the same survey, 74.1% of …

Entrepreneurs Believe Now is a Much Better Time for Their Franchise Startups

March 5, 2025 – More individuals leaving full-time jobs bodes well for franchise development in 2025. Surveys in the last week of February showed 63.4% of aspiring business owners either agreed or strongly agreed that “now is a good time to start a business,” with optimism about conditions now and in the near future. In the same survey, 81.5% of respondents see conditions for business and franchise startups “the same or better in three months.” 

Startup Sentiment Data Shows Franchise Seekers Leaving Full-time Jobs and Planning Launches in 2025

February 12,  2025 – The rising trend in near-term intentions to start businesses bodes well for franchise development in 2025. In late December surveys, 63.4% of aspiring business owners either agreed or strongly agreed that “now is a good time to start a business,” showing optimism about conditions now and in the near future. In the same survey, 90.0% of respondents see conditions for business and franchise startups “the same or better in three months.” 

Funding and Political Concerns Drop Among Aspiring Business Owners

December 3, 2024 – While funding is perennially the biggest concern, 41% of respondents think financing will be easier in three months. Now 68.9% of aspiring business owners surveyed either agree or strongly agree that “now is a good time to start a business,” showing optimism about conditions now and ahead. In the November 2024 survey, 86.9% of respondents see conditions for business and franchise startups “the same or better in three months.” 

Aspiring Business Owners See Clear Skies Ahead

November 6, 2024 – Now 75% of aspiring business owners surveyed either agree or strongly agree that “now is a good time to start a business,” showing optimism about conditions now and ahead, the highest percentage in more than three years. In the October 2024 survey, 90.7% of respondents see conditions for business and franchise startups “the same or better in three months.” 

Concerns about Funding and Access to Credit Are Finally Receding among Business Buyers

October 2, 2024 – Fully two-thirds (65.6%) of aspiring business owners surveyed either agree or strongly agree that “now is a good time to start a business,” with optimism about conditions ahead. In the September 2024 survey, 92.7% of respondents see conditions for business and franchise startups “the same or better in three months.” 

Almost Three-Quarters of Aspiring Franchisees Expect Their Startups Within Six Months

August 7, 2024 – About 58% of aspiring business owners either agree or strongly agree that “now is a good time to start a business,” with optimism about conditions ahead. In the July 2024 survey,  79.5% of respondents see conditions for business and franchise startups “the same or better in three months” and those seeing the conditions “better or much better” rose to a five-month high at 31.5%

Small Business Startup Sentiment is Steady, as Demographic Mix Shifts

July 10, 2024 – Over 59% of aspiring business owners either agree or strongly agree that “now is a good time to start a business,” with optimism about conditions ahead. In the June 2024 survey,  over 82.7% of respondents see conditions for business and franchise startups “the same or better in three months.” 

Record Share of Franchise Seekers Upbeat About Startup Conditions Ahead

April 2, 2024 – Over 61% of aspiring business owners either agree or strongly agree that “now is a good time to start a business,” with optimism about conditions ahead. In the March survey,  a record 89.3% of respondents see conditions for business and franchise startups “the same or better in three months.” 

Share of Aspiring Franchisees Expecting Startup Within Three Months Reaches Record

March 6, 2024 – Over 63% of aspiring business owners either agree or strongly agree that “now is a good time to start a business,” on an upward trend beginning a year ago. In the February 2024 survey,  87.4% of respondents see conditions for business and franchise startups “the same or better in three months.” A record 62.1% of entrepreneurs planned their startups within the next three months, and 75.8% within the next six months. 

Small Business Startup Sentiment Surges to Highest in Over a Year

February 7, 2024 – Prepare for launch! January startup sentiment data show 84.5% of aspiring franchisees plan their launches in the next twelve months, the highest percentage seen since December of 2023. The first of our Predictions for Franchise Development and Lead Generation for 2024 is looking very much on target.

Rising Tide in Business Startup Sentiment At The Highest In Fifteen Months

December 6, 2023 – More than two-thirds of survey respondents (67.2%) either agree or strongly agree that “now is a good time to start a business,” the highest for that measure of startup sentiment since the 69.2% reading in August 2022. Now 83.6% of respondents see conditions for business startups “the same or better in three months.”

Now Is The Time to Launch Startups, Say Aspiring Franchisees

October 4, 2023 – A one-year high of almost 62% of survey respondents either agree or strongly agree that “now is a good time to start a business” and 75% of respondents see conditions for business startups “the same or better in three months.”

Aspiring Franchisees See September As Prime Month to Launch the Startup Process

September 6, 2023 — In August 2023, 38.6% of aspiring business owners said they are planning to launch their startups “in the next month” reflecting eagerness to begin their journeys. At the same time, 56.4% of entrepreneurs planned their startups within the next three months, and 84.2% within the next twelve months. 

Aspiring Entrepreneurs Increasingly Optimistic About Startup Conditions This Fall

July 5, 2023 – In June 2023, 59 percent of entrepreneurs surveyed say they are “more likely to launch their startups than three months ago.” At the same time, 51.3 percent of survey respondents either agree or strongly agree that “now is a good time to start a business”, up slightly from April but below May’s 60.4 percent reading.

Uptrend Seen in Entrepreneur Sentiment About Future Startup Conditions

June 7, 2023 – In May 2023, almost 69% of entrepreneurs surveyed say they are “more likely to launch their startups than three months ago.” Over 60% of survey respondents either agree or strongly agree that “now is a good time to start a business”, up significantly from April, but inching back towards the record high of 76.9% in June 2021. 

Aspiring Franchisees Leave the Pandemic Behind

April 5, 2023 — In March 2023, 53.7% of entrepreneurs surveyed say they are “more likely to launch their startups than three months ago.” Further, 55.6% of survey respondents either agree or strongly agree that “now is a good time to start a business”, down slightly from the prior month, but significantly down from the record high of 76.9% in June 2021. 

Business Buyer Demographics and Startup Timeframes Shift in February Survey

March 8, 2023 – In February 2023, 59.1% of entrepreneurs surveyed say they are “more likely to launch their startups than three months ago.” Coincidentally, 59.1% of survey respondents either agree or strongly agree that “now is a good time to start a business”, consistent with the prior month, but down from the high of 73.5% in February 2022.

Over 58% of Aspiring Business Owners Say ‘Now is a Good Time’ to Launch Their Startups

February 8, 2023 – As of January 2023, 76.6% of aspiring business owners are planning to launch their businesses within the next 12 months. And now, 58.4% of aspiring business owners either agree or strongly agree that “now is a good time to start a business”, consistent with the prior month, but down from the high of 73.5% as recently as February 2022.

Franchise Startup Intent ‘Within Three Months’ Time Frame Hits Record High

NORFOLK, VIRGINIA — August 3, 2022 — Aspiring franchise owners have adjusted to financial and geopolitical headwinds, and never-ending epidemiological headlines, with 81.6% seeing conditions for business startups “the same or better in three months” and only 18.4% expecting conditions to worsen. In July, a record 61.7% of entrepreneurs planned their startups within the next …

Startup Sentiment Remains High, But Concerns Rise about Future Business Conditions

NORFOLK, VIRGINIA — July 13, 2022 — Aspiring business owners have been optimistic through the course of the pandemic and recent economic concerns, but they perceive less favorable business conditions for startup three months out. Of aspiring business owners surveyed in June, 74.4% were resolute about starting their businesses within the coming six months. Currently, …

Confidence Higher Among Business Buyers than Consumers in May

NORFOLK, VIRGINIA — June 1, 2022 — While measures of consumer sentiment have been declining in recent months, optimism about starting a business remains solid. Despite war headlines, stock market declines and inflation woes, 78% of aspiring business owners surveyed in May were resolute about starting their businesses within the coming six months. Not surprisingly, …

Access to Funding Tops Worries, but Business Startups Undaunted

NORFOLK, VIRGINIA — April 7, 2022 — After a month of invasion, inflation, and market volatility, business startups begin to settle into the new reality in March 2022. Despite all the uncertainty, 52.9% of aspiring business owners responding in March were resolute about starting their businesses within the next three months. Further, 80.5% of these …

Small Business Startup Sentiment Rises to the Most Positive in Eight Months

NORFOLK, VIRGINIA — March 3, 2022 — On February 24th, the day the survey launched, news headlines of the invasion of Ukraine stunned the world and roiled financial markets. Despite the uncertainty, 57.4% of aspiring business owners were resolute about starting their businesses within the next three months. Further, 76% of these survey respondents see …

Percentage of Business Startups Planned for First Quarter Sets Record

NORFOLK, VIRGINIA — January 5, 2022 –In late December 2021, the percentage of aspiring owners who expected to start their businesses within the next three months reached 62.1%, the highest percentage ever recorded. Further, 88.2% of these aspiring owners see business conditions about the same or getting better in the next three months, according to …

Startups Planned for First Quarter of 2022 Reach Highest in Twelve Months

NORFOLK, VIRGINIA — December 2, 2021 — Almost two-thirds of entrepreneurs (62.2%) agree or strongly agree that “now is a good time to start a business” in November 2021, a second month of descent from September’s high at 73.4%. Aspiring owners who anticipate starting their businesses in the “2-3 months out” range reached the highest level …

Franchise Prospects Show Record High Startup Intent For the Coming Month

October 6, 2021 — Despite never-ending twists in the pandemic, a looming debt ceiling, more volatile financial markets, and even lower consumer confidence in September, aspiring franchise owners are undeterred. Entrepreneurs who agree or strongly agree that “now is a good time to start a business” grew to 73.4% in September, continuing a three month …

Sentiment Index Shows Record High Startup Intentions Within Six Months

September 8, 2021 — Entrepreneurs who agree or strongly agree that “now is a good time to start a business” were 67.9% in August, up slightly from July, but down from the record level of 76.9% reached in June 2021. Nonetheless, a record 78.2% aspiring owners anticipate starting their businesses within six months. FranchiseInsights.com compiles …

July Startup Sentiment Survey Shows Pandemic Increased Desire for Business Ownership

August 4, 2021 – Entrepreneurs who agree or strongly agree that “now is a good time to start a business” were 65.9% in July, below the record level of 76.9% reached in June. Nonetheless, 44.4% of respondents report that the pandemic actually increased the desire to control their own destinies through business ownership. FranchiseInsights.com compiles …

June Survey Shows Record Highs in Business Startup Sentiment and Near-Term Intent

  July 13, 2021 – Entrepreneurs who agree or strongly agree that “now is a good time to start a business” reached 76.9% in June, exceeding pre-pandemic levels, and showed the highest reading in survey history.  Further, a record 34.6% want to launch their businesses in the next month. FranchiseInsights.com compiles monthly the Small Business …

March Startup Sentiment Index™ Shows Aspiring Business Owners Increasingly Confident

Download the full April 7 Report Entrepreneurs who agree or strongly agree that “now is a good time to start a business” grew in March to 69.3% of respondents, the highest recorded since February 2020 before the pandemic became headline news. FranchiseInsights.com compiles monthly the Small Business Startup Sentiment Index™ (SSI) of individuals who have …

February Startup Sentiment Index™ Shows Entrepreneurs Advancing Timelines

Over 60% Surveyed Intend to Start Within Three Months Download the full March 9 Report   In February, entrepreneurs expressing intent to start or buy “this month” rose to a record 31.2% of respondents, by far the highest on record, and indexing at 218% of January 2020. Startups planned for the “next 2-3 months” grew …

January Startup Sentiment Index™ Confirms Midyear 2021 Startup Surge

Record 22% of Respondents Are Current Owners Seeking a Second Business Download the full February 3 Report  February 3, 2021 – Entrepreneurs expressing intent to start “four to six months out” rose to a record 25.6% of respondents, by far the highest on record, and indexing at 167% of January 2020.These are the highest levels …

Entrepreneurs Ramp Up Enthusiasm for Spring Openings in November’s Startup Sentiment Index™

Download the full December 3 Report Release Dec. 3, 2020 – Forward-looking entrepreneurs are increasingly optimistic about 2021, with startups planned for “4-6 months out” reaching the highest levels ever recorded in the latest FranchiseInsights.com Small Business Startup Sentiment Index™ (SSI).  ‘Buoyed by positive vaccine news and easing uncertainty post-election, the Nov. 19-26 survey showed …

September Startup Sentiment Index™ Shows Dramatic Increase in Startups Planned 3 Months Out

Pending Election Puts Immediate Startup Plans on Hold Updated 10:24 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020 PRESS RELEASE: Additional highlights from full Sept. 2020 Small Business Startup Sentiment Index™ FULL REPORT: Download the full Sept. 2020 Small Business Startup Sentiment Index™ In a remarkable turnabout, future business owners planning to start “this month” plummeted, while startups …

August’s Prospective Business Owners Display Highest Readiness Seen Yet in 2020

Has Business Buyers’ Pandemic Pessimism Peaked? Updated 12:24 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2020 August 27, 2020 – In a strong sign of growing economic optimism amid the pandemic, responses collected August 20-26, 2020 for the FranchiseInsights.com Small Business Startup Sentiment Index™ revealed a new high point for buyer readiness in 2020. Over 23% of the …

Franchise Interest in COVID-Impacted Categories Strengthens Again in June

July 16, 2020 – Investment interest from potential franchise buyers strengthened for the second month in a row in June, with rising prospects in several categories that were previously hard-hit by coronavirus concerns, such as Personal Care and Food franchises.  Many categories saw double-digital percentage gains over May in the number of prospects who contacted …

Small Business Startup Sentiment Index™ (SSI) Shows Growing Readiness in May

May 28, 2020 – The highest percentage of aspiring franchisees plan to open a business within the next three months than at any time in 2020. Data collected May 23-27, 2020, for the FranchiseInsights.com Small Business Startup Sentiment Index™ show that 39.5% of aspiring owners are planning to start a business in the next three …

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