It is estimated that franchises lose up to 15% of their franchisees each year. With the cost of acquiring a new franchise reported by researcher 10 Thousand Feet at over $16,000 it certainly pays to support your local outlets.

Making matters worse is that 40% of internet users state they prefer to use search engines to locate local businesses. As this figure grows this is bound to have a big impact on the effectiveness of traditional local advertising franchises use to promote their outlets.

Maybe it already is has, if the following graph is anything to go by. (Web stat provided by Alexa for past 3 years daily reach)

If your business does not come up on the 1st page of search results for locally targeted searches (For Example "Muffler Repairs Bankstown") you can be sure your competitors are and your local outlets are missing out on business.