Why franchise in Springfield-Youngstown?
Be part of Ohio’s industrial heartland on the rise
Strategically located between major metropolitan hubs like Cleveland, Columbus, and Pittsburgh, the Springfield-Youngstown region offers a low cost of living, strong community ties, and a growing ecosystem of manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, and education. The area blends small-town values with economic revitalization efforts, creating a stable environment for both families and businesses.
Known for its skilled labor force and commitment to workforce development, this region has been investing in technical education, innovation hubs, and regional partnerships that promote business growth. Organizations such as the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber, JobsOhio, and the Springfield CIC (Community Improvement Corporation) actively support entrepreneurs and employers alike.
With numerous trade schools, community colleges, and local universities producing job-ready graduates, Spherion franchisees in this area benefit from a dependable talent pipeline and a community eager for economic opportunity.
Top employers in the Springfield-Youngstown DMA:
- Mercy Health
- Youngstown State University
- Clark State College
- Springfield Regional Medical Center
- Vallourec Star
- General Motors – Ultium Cells
- DMAX (a GM/Isuzu venture)
- Navistar
Springfield-Youngstown Business Highlights
$660+ million estimated temp staffing payroll (2023)
$890+ million estimated temp staffing market size (2023)
1.2+ million workforce across the combined metro areas
Home to America Makes, the national accelerator for additive manufacturing
Central location with access to major interstates and freight rail lines
Strong growth in advanced manufacturing, distribution, and logistics
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 Springfield-Youngstown staffing market includes several national players and local firms, but opportunities abound for franchisees who can offer specialized staffing services, especially in skilled trades, logistics, and healthcare support roles. Spherion’s mix of local ownership and national backing gives franchisees a distinct edge in building trust and delivering results.
With steady job growth expected in transportation, healthcare, education, and light industrial sectors, the Springfield-Youngstown DMA is an ideal market for staffing entrepreneurs looking to make a long-term impact while meeting critical workforce needs.
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 a strong work ethic and a base of skilled labor, many employers in the region report difficulty filling specialized and technical roles. This workforce gap creates clear opportunities for staffing partners who understand the nuances of local industry needs.
Flexible Work Arrangements
Hybrid work models are becoming more prevalent, especially in administrative, healthcare, and educational roles. This has increased demand for flexible staffing solutions and short-term contract professionals to support project-based work and fluctuating workloads.
Seasonal Workforce Fluctuations
Industries such as manufacturing, education, and logistics often experience predictable busy periods and seasonal hiring spikes, especially around the holidays, summer break, and fiscal transitions—creating steady demand for temporary and contract staffing.
Small and Mid-Size Business Growth
Beyond major employers, the region is seeing encouraging growth among small and mid-size businesses, particularly in healthcare support, advanced manufacturing, and professional services. These businesses often rely on staffing firms like Spherion to meet their workforce goals efficiently and affordably.
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