National Hispanic Heritage Month, observed from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, is a time to celebrate the culture, history and the countless contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities in the United States. It’s also an opportunity to recognize the growing impact Hispanics have as leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs, especially in franchising. 

Today, there are an estimated 68 million Hispanic people in the United States, making up 20% of the population. As consumers, their buying power is expected to exceed $2.76 trillion by 2026. The Latino consumer market generated $3.2 trillion in GDP in 2021, a figure so large it would rank as the fifth-largest economy in the world if measured independently.

Entrepreneurship is at the heart of this economic power. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, Hispanics own more than 4.7 million businesses nationwide, generating over $800 billion in annual revenue. Increasingly, many of these businesses are franchises.

The International Franchise Association (IFA) projects franchise output will reach $936.4 billion in 2025. Hispanic entrepreneurs are a vital part of that growth, building businesses as franchisors, franchisees, consultants and suppliers across nearly every industry sector. Their success not only strengthens local communities but also adds to the economic vibrancy of the entire country.