Are you a woman interested in a franchise or business opportunity? Do you know there are various organizations and institutions set up to help women enter into the franchise industry? Begin your franchise industry research by first reading the following informative articles full of statistics on women in franchising.

Women are a force to be reckoned with in business. According to the 2013 State of Women-Owned Businesses Report (commissioned by American Express OPEN):

•More than 8.6 million women-owned businesses generate over $1.3 trillion in revenues and employ nearly 7.8 million people in the United States.

•Between 1997 and 2013 the number of businesses in the United States increased by 41 percent while the number of women-owned businesses. increased by 59 percent, 1.5 times the national average

•Women-owned businesses exceed overall sector growth in eight of the 13 most populous industries.

•Women-owned businesses are highly concentrated in: health care and social assistance, educational services, other services, and administrative support and waste management services.

Among these female entrepreneurs are numerous women who have found a professional home in the franchise industry where 20.5 percent of franchised businesses are owned by women. Furthermore, an additional 24.4 percent of franchised businesses are male & female co-owned.