Why franchise in Benton Harbor, Michigan?

Thrive in a market where industry, innovation, and community intersect

Located along the shores of Lake Michigan and the St. Joseph River, the Benton Harbor–Niles DMA offers a unique mix of industrial strength, tourism appeal, and small-town affordability. The region is a hidden gem in Southwest Michigan—home to global manufacturing brands, vibrant small businesses, and a steadily diversifying economy.

Manufacturing remains the economic backbone of the area, with major employers producing appliances, plastics, and automotive components. At the same time, healthcare, education, and hospitality are expanding, creating broad staffing needs. The region benefits from local talent developed through institutions like Lake Michigan College and Southwestern Michigan College, and from its proximity to the South Bend metro and Indiana border.

For a staffing franchise, this market presents a unique opportunity to support a resilient and hardworking labor force across industrial, clerical, and professional roles.

Top employers in the Benton Harbor–Niles region:

  • Whirlpool Corporation (Global HQ)
  • Lakeland Health / Corewell Health Southwest
  • Andrews University
  • Hanson Mold
  • United Federal Credit Union
  • InterCare Community Health Network
  • LECO Corporation
  • Eagle Technologies
  • Bosch (nearby in St. Joseph)
  • Local school districts and government offices

Benton Harbor–Niles Business Highlights:

$230+ million estimated temp staffing payroll (2023)

$340+ million estimated temp staffing market size (2023)

Over 80,000-person workforce across Berrien and Cass Counties

Strategic location near I-94 with access to Chicago and South Bend

Strong legacy in advanced manufacturing and industrial design

Popular tourism region drawing seasonal hiring demand

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 Benton Harbor–Niles staffing market includes a small number of independent and regional firms, but national staffing brands are underrepresented—creating room for a strong franchise presence. With Spherion’s model of local ownership and national backing, franchisees can distinguish themselves by offering specialized recruiting services, faster response times, and a personalized approach that’s deeply connected to the local workforce.

As manufacturers re-shore production and healthcare expands, demand for flexible and reliable staffing continues to rise—making this an ideal moment to establish a Spherion franchise in this high-need, high-reward region.

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

Expanding Industries Driving Demand for Staffing Services

The Benton Harbor-Niles metropolitan area presents distinctive growth opportunities for staffing franchise owners, with several key industries experiencing development and increasing demand for qualified talent in this southwest Michigan region.

Manufacturing Renaissance

Manufacturing remains the backbone of the Benton Harbor-Niles economy, with significant opportunities in advanced manufacturing, automotive components, and appliance production. Whirlpool Corporation's global headquarters in Benton Harbor anchors the region's manufacturing sector, while numerous tier-one and tier-two suppliers create a robust industrial ecosystem. Recent investments in automation and Industry 4.0 technologies have increased demand for skilled production workers, maintenance technicians, and quality assurance professionals with specialized technical knowledge.

Tourism and Hospitality

The Lake Michigan shoreline and growing wine country have established Berrien County as a popular tourist destination, particularly for visitors from Chicago and Indianapolis. The region's growing reputation for wineries, breweries, and farm-to-table dining experiences has strengthened the seasonal hospitality industry. Harbor Shores Resort and other tourism developments have increased demand for hospitality staff during peak seasons, creating opportunities for staffing agencies to provide temporary and seasonal workforce solutions.

Agriculture and Food Processing

The region's rich agricultural heritage has evolved into a sophisticated food processing and agribusiness sector. From fruit processing to specialty food manufacturing, companies require both seasonal agricultural workers and year-round processing staff. The emerging cannabis industry in Michigan has also created new agricultural and retail employment opportunities in the region, with specialized compliance and production roles.

Technology and Professional Services

While smaller than manufacturing, the region's growing technology and professional services sectors offer higher-margin staffing opportunities. Companies supporting Whirlpool's global operations and other major employers require accounting, marketing, customer service, and IT professionals. The Michigan Works! Southwest initiative has focused on developing digital skills in the local workforce, gradually expanding the talent pool for technology-related positions.

Market Dynamics Favoring Staffing Services

Workforce Development Challenges

The Benton Harbor-Niles region faces demographic challenges including population stabilization efforts and skills gaps in key industries. A 2023 survey by the Cornerstone Alliance found that 65% of area employers reported difficulty filling skilled positions, particularly in manufacturing and healthcare. This talent gap creates opportunities for staffing agencies with expertise in recruitment and workforce development.

Educational Partnerships

The presence of Lake Michigan College and proximity to Western Michigan University, Southwestern Michigan College, and Notre Dame University (across the Indiana border) creates opportunities for innovative educational partnerships. Staffing agencies that can bridge the gap between these educational institutions and local employers stand to benefit from workforce development initiatives.

Economic Development Momentum

Recent economic development successes, including the Harbor Shores development and Whirlpool's continued investment in its global headquarters, have created positive momentum in the region. The Cornerstone Alliance and Kinexus Group actively pursue business attraction and expansion projects, creating new staffing opportunities with each success. The federally designated Opportunity Zone in parts of Benton Harbor presents additional development potential.

Competitive Landscape and Differentiation Opportunities

The Benton Harbor-Niles staffing market includes several national providers and local agencies, but significant opportunities exist for differentiation through industry specialization, technological sophistication, and personalized service. The market is less saturated than larger metropolitan areas, creating space for new entrants with strong business models and recruitment expertise.

With its diversified economy, strategic location, and ongoing economic development initiatives, the Benton Harbor-Niles region represents a promising opportunity for a Spherion staffing franchise positioned to address the area's unique workforce dynamics and specialized talent needs across manufacturing, healthcare, hospitality, and emerging sectors.

Franchising Resources

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

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