Why franchise in Greenville-New Bern-Jacksonville?

Be part of Eastern North Carolina's expanding economic corridor

With its unique blend of college-town energy, coastal charm, and military presence, the Greenville-New Bern-Jacksonville region offers an outstanding quality of life for residents. The area features beautiful waterfront properties along the Tar and Neuse Rivers, access to the Atlantic coast, vibrant downtown districts, and abundant outdoor recreation opportunities. Home to East Carolina University, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, and a growing healthcare sector, this region combines southern hospitality with economic diversity.

For business owners, the Greenville-New Bern-Jacksonville market presents a resilient economy with multiple growth sectors and strong support for entrepreneurship. Economic development organizations across Pitt, Craven, and Onslow counties actively promote business expansion, while the region's lower cost of living attracts both businesses and talent. With East Carolina University, Coastal Carolina Community College, and other educational institutions producing qualified graduates, staffing franchisees have access to a growing pool of candidates seeking meaningful employment opportunities.

Top employers in the Greenville-New Bern-Jacksonville region:

  • East Carolina University & ECU Health Medical Center
  • Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune
  • Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune
  • Pitt County Schools
  • BSH Home Appliances Corporation

Jacksonville, NC Business Highlights

$43 million estimated temp staffing payroll (2023)

$46 milion estimated temp staffing market size (2023)

Named among "Best Small Places for Business and Careers" by Forbes

450,000+ person combined workforce across the tri-city region

6+ higher education institutions including East Carolina University

Strategic location with access to I-95 and US-70 corridors

Recognized for healthcare innovation through ECU Health system

Consistent population growth outpacing state averages

About You

Who is an ideal Spherion Staffing franchise owner candidate?

The strongest candidates bring a mix of business awareness, people skills, and local engagement. We look for someone who can build relationships, understand workforce needs, and stay involved in their community while managing day-to-day operations.

Entrepreneurial Mindset

You’re comfortable making decisions, adjusting your approach, and staying focused on long-term progress.

  • Financial Literacy: You can proficiently manage a P&L and accounts receivables.
  • Business Growth: You possess sufficient operating capital and the drive to scale.
  • Resourcefulness: You navigate daily responsibilities while keeping an eye on long-term goals.

Sales & Leadership Experience

Managing clients and identifying opportunities are part of how you operate.

  • Recruiting & Development: You have a track record of leading teams to hit criteria-based results.
  • Consultative Selling: You’re skilled in prospecting, business negotiations, and responding to bids.
  • Expert Guidance: You have the confidence to deliver compensation recommendations and market insights.
  • Effective Communication: You possess strong speaking and presentation skills.

Community-Focused Professional

Being visible and involved helps you build trust while supporting local employers and job seekers.

  • Hyper-Local Presence: You live within your desired market and know its unique needs.
  • Civic Engagement: You are active in local business organizations and civic groups.
  • Invested Leadership: You have a genuine desire to contribute to the health of your local workforce.

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 New Bern-Greensboro-Jacksonville staffing market includes both national chains and regional agencies, but opportunities for differentiation abound—especially through military transition expertise, manufacturing and skilled trades specialization, and responsive local service. Spherion's model, which pairs national brand strength with hands-on, community-focused ownership, is well-suited for this diverse tri-city market.

With continued growth in defense contracting, expanding manufacturing base, and steady job creation in sectors like healthcare, logistics, advanced manufacturing, and military support services, the New Bern-Greensboro-Jacksonville region is primed for a staffing franchise that understands its unique workforce blend of military veterans and skilled professionals.

Staffing Industry Analysts predicts the US staffing industry will experience flat but stable activity in 2025. Overall industry revenue is predicted 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 

New Bern-Greensboro-Jacksonville employers frequently cite challenges in sourcing skilled manufacturing workers, military-experienced professionals, and specialized healthcare and logistics staff. A staffing franchise that can provide tailored recruitment solutions—particularly in manufacturing, military transition services, healthcare, and logistics—will have a clear competitive edge.

Flexible Work Arrangements 

As remote and hybrid roles expand—particularly in finance, IT, and administrative functions—employers in the region are increasingly seeking contract-based professionals who can deliver results while supporting operations across military installations, manufacturing facilities, and regional business centers.

Seasonal Workforce Fluctuations 

The region's economy sees natural spikes in hiring tied to military deployment cycles, summer tourism demands, and agricultural processing seasons. These seasonal patterns create predictable demand for temporary staffing support.

Small and Mid-Size Business Growth 

While major employers like Camp Lejeune, Honda Aircraft Company, and regional healthcare systems anchor the area's job market, the New Bern-Greensboro-Jacksonville region has seen steady growth among small and mid-sized businesses—especially in defense contracting, manufacturing support, and healthcare services. These companies often need fast, flexible hiring solutions, making them ideal clients for a locally owned Spherion franchise.

Request More Information

Learn more about buying a franchise with Spherion Staffing

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

Senior Vice President of Franchise Development

Dan boasts 30+ years of experience helping prospective franchisees succeed. His background includes founding a top franchise brokerage as well as current and past senior executive roles in the staffing industry.

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