Building Better Workplaces: Findings from Franchising’s Largest Workforce Study
Franchise Business Review presents the findings of the 2026 Franchising at WORK Employee Satisfaction Study, the only benchmarking research that captures the authentic experience of employees across the franchise sector.
Based on more than 9,500 survey responses from franchise corporate teams and unit-level employees, this year’s findings reveal what’s really driving engagement, loyalty, and workplace culture in franchising today. You’ll hear the latest trends shaping the employee experience and learn which franchise companies are this year’s 2026 Employee Satisfaction Award winners.
Key takeaways:
- The top themes shaping the employee experience in 2026
- How franchise employee engagement compares to national benchmarks
- What today’s best companies do differently to strengthen trust, retention, and team alignment
- The trends impacting hiring, engagement, and retention
- Which franchise organizations earned top honors in this year’s Employee Satisfaction Awards
Employee sentiment is one of the strongest predictors of operational performance and a powerful competitive differentiator in today’s labor market. This research gives franchisors a clear, data-driven view into what employees need to stay engaged, motivated, and committed to brand success.