Why franchise in Benton Harbor, Michigan?
Thrive in a market where industry, innovation, and community intersect
Tap into a knowledge-driven economy fueled by innovation and talent
Home to the University of Michigan and a dense ecosystem of startups, research institutions, and global companies, Ann Arbor is one of the most educated and dynamic labor markets in the country. From biotech breakthroughs to software startups, healthcare expansion to advanced manufacturing—businesses here are on the move, and they need qualified talent to grow.
Ann Arbor’s workforce is highly skilled and highly sought after. With a population that skews young, educated, and engaged, the area offers both depth and diversity in talent. Whether supporting large hospitals, research labs, software firms, or local nonprofits, a Spherion franchise can deliver the staffing agility employers need in this fast-paced environment.
Top employers in the Ann Arbor region:
- University of Michigan & Michigan Medicine
- Trinity Health (St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor)
- Washtenaw County & City of Ann Arbor
- Toyota Research Institute
- Thomson Reuters
- Duo Security (Cisco)
- NSF International
- KLA Corporation
- Faurecia Automotive Seating
- Ann Arbor Public Schools
Benton Harbor–Niles Business Highlights:
$980+ million estimated temp staffing payroll (2023)
$1.45 billion estimated temp staffing market size (2023)
200,000+ person civilian labor force in Washtenaw County
Ranked among the top U.S. cities for tech talent and education
University of Michigan research spending exceeds $1.8B annually
High concentration of healthcare, R&D, and software jobs
Consistently ranked a top U.S. city for work-life balance and economic opportunity
About You
Who is an ideal Spherion Staffing franchise owner candidate?
What skills and traits does the ideal Spherion franchise candidate possess? After more than 65 years of franchising, here are the character traits, leadership skills, and business expertise we expect our franchise candidates to demonstrate:
- Sufficient operating capital or the ability to obtain operating funds from a verifiable source
- At least 5 years' experience leading and developing a team or teams in areas of:
- Customer development, service and support
- Sales and prospect identification and activities
- Managing a P&L, basic accounting principals, accounts receivables management and delivery of compensation recommendations and guidance
- Personal experience in sales and market development including new business prospecting, sales calling, consultative selling skills, business negotiation skills and responding to bid opportunities
- At least 3 years' experience recruiting, hiring and developing team members to manage role-specific responsibilities and demonstrate criteria-based results
- Personal residence within your desired market
- A strong desire to contribute to your community; involvement in civic and community business organizations
- Confident speaking and presentation skills
If this sounds like you, read more about franchising with Spherion Staffing. Then, contact Dan Brunell to get started on your Spherion path to franchise ownership!
Support & Training
Our support is our signature: Our owner community across the country is collaborative, supportive, and helpful. Spherion franchisees include multigenerational groups, husband-wife teams, former Spherion corporate employees, former franchise employees, and entrepreneurs from all walks of life. A clear supermajority (98%) agree that Spherion's training is good or better, while 91% agree that their fellow franchisees are supportive of each other and the Spherion brand.**
You'll receive 380+ hours of comprehensive role-based training before and after opening. Periodic training addresses client development, legal requirements, marketing, and sales. You'll be supported by a dedicated portfolio leader who is available to answer questions and strategize with you, as well as by a national marketing team.
Spherion owners receive complete back office and technology support for all functions related to their temporary employees. We process employee payroll, including taxes, insurance, and benefits required by law. We invoice the clients, manage collections and application of payments as well as the W-2 process at the end of the year. Our corporate office maintains, supports, and troubleshoots all technology, eliminating the need for technical expertise and investment. Spherion's model allows you to focus on the business, not get lost in the business.
Our franchisees enjoy a full range of sales and marketing tools to help promote their business, including digital marketing, SEO & SEM support; sales collateral; print, radio, billboard, and online advertising; social media content; target account programs; direct mail campaigns; salary data; thought leadership research; and community giveback programs.
You'll enroll in our New Franchisee Launch program, a comprehensive training course that covers all aspects of opening a successful Spherion office. Plus, you'll receive ongoing support from a tenured team of professionals—from accounting, payroll, and technology to operations and marketing.
Competition
The Ann Arbor staffing market includes regional players and boutique firms, but few combine the scale and specialization that Spherion brings. A franchise backed by Spherion’s national systems—yet grounded in local ownership—can differentiate through speed, service, and strategic recruiting. There’s particular opportunity in supporting high-growth sectors like healthcare, IT, research, and nonprofit.
As labor demand continues to evolve in Ann Arbor, especially in knowledge-based and hybrid roles, the market is primed for a staffing partner that brings both insight and innovation to the hiring process.
Staffing Industry Analysts predicts the US staffing industry will grow by 1% in 2025 to reach $188.7 billion. This growth will be powered by lower inflation and interest rates that allow businesses to accelerate their growth compared to previous years. Regardless of economic conditions, the need for temporary employees to fill skills gaps and for permanent workers to fulfill longer-term business goals will remain stable.
Growth & Expansion Opportunity
Talent Acquisition Challenges
Despite the area’s deep talent pool, employers still struggle to fill specialized roles—particularly in healthcare, skilled trades, biotech, and high-demand administrative support. A Spherion franchise can provide targeted recruitment strategies that meet these complex workforce needs.
Flexible Work Arrangements
Ann Arbor has long been ahead of the curve on hybrid and remote work, especially in tech, research, and education. This makes staffing solutions for contract, part-time, and hybrid positions even more essential for employers looking to stay competitive.
Seasonal and Academic Hiring Patterns
The University of Michigan and other local institutions create predictable hiring cycles around the academic calendar. This drives demand for temporary staff across hospitality, events, facilities, and administration—sectors that benefit from staffing support year-round.
Small and Mid-Size Business Growth
While anchored by major institutions, Ann Arbor’s economy is bursting with innovative startups and small businesses that are scaling fast. These companies often need help navigating HR and hiring, making them ideal partners for a service-oriented staffing franchise.
Become a Spherion Business Owner.
When you're ready to start your franchising journey with Spherion, text, call, or email Dan to ask how you can become part of our franchise community.
Dan Brunell
Regional Vice President of Franchise Development
Dan’s background as a senior executive in the staffing industry and founder of a top franchise brokerage equips him with more than 30 years of experience helping prospective franchisees succeed.
This website and the franchise sales information on this website do not constitute an offer to sell a franchise. The offer of a franchise can only be made through the delivery of a franchise disclosure document. Certain states require that we register the franchise disclosure document in those states. The communications on this website are not directed by us to the residents of any of those states. Moreover, we will not offer or sell franchises in those states until we have registered the franchise (or obtained an applicable exemption from registration) and delivered the franchise disclosure document to the prospective franchisee in compliance with applicable law.
*This data is based on 64 franchisees that were open and operating their businesses for at least one full year as of 12/31/24. Of these 64 franchisees, 20 of them (31.3%) surpassed the average annual sales stated above, and 22 of them (34.4%) surpassed the average annual gross profit stated above. Some outlets have earned these amounts. Your individual results may differ. There is no assurance that you’ll earn as much. Please review Item 19 of our April 18, 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) for more information.
**Franchise Business Review survey, December 2024