Franchises seek expansion in Colorado Springs

Posted on August 16, 2010 by Franchise Gator Admin

One city in Colorado is getting ready for an influx of new franchises, thanks to the potentially profitable business opportunities that exist.

Colorado Springs has caught the attention of many franchisees based on the rising popularity of franchises across the country and what is seen as an untapped market, the city's Gazette reports. In 2010 franchises are expected to grow by 2 percent and have a 0.4-percent increase in the amount of jobs, according to a forecast by PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Among the franchises looking to expand into the region is Guier Fence, based out of Kansas City, Missouri. As the first-ever fencing franchise, the company has been in existence since 1979, when Kelly Guier established it his basement. Since 2005 Guier's son-in-law, Lee Bailes, has been in charge of the business, which he hopes to grow throughout the country.

Another franchise looking to make its mark in the Rocky Mountain state is AAMCO, the automotive franchise. The company has nearly 900 locations world-wide and has been in business for almost 50 years. The franchise sees growth opportunities thanks to the economic downturn, based on the fact that people are keeping their vehicles longer than before.

The franchising world has been as hard hit as any other industry during the recession. According to the International Franchise Association, Franchise businesses have gotten rid of more than 400,000 jobs since 2009.