Top 10 U.S. states for franchise growth in 2017, as measured by percent of employment growth
Arizona: 4.7 percent
Utah: 4.6 percent
Nevada: 4.4 percent 
Colorado and Florida: 4.1 percent
South Carolina: 4 percent
North Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee: 3.8 percent
Texas: 3.6 percent 

Franchise establishment distribution by sector in 2017
Quick service restaurants: 26 percent
Personal services: 15 percent
Business services 14 percent
Commercial and residential services: 9 percent
Retail products and services: 8 percent
Real estate: 8 percent
Retail food: 7 percent
Automotive: 5 percent
Full service restaurants: 4 percent 
Lodging: 4 percent