Franchises in Paraná now support 132,500 direct jobs

The franchise sector in Paraná, southern Brazil, ended the first half of 2026 with 132,549 direct jobs, up 7.1% on the same period in 2025. According to the Brazilian Franchising Association (ABF), employment growth accompanied an increase in outlet numbers and revenue, which reached R$10.8 billion across the state.

Jobs grow alongside outlet numbers

Paraná reached 15,249 franchise outlets in the January–June period, up 7.2% year on year. The closeness of this figure to the 7.1% rise in employment shows that, across the state as a whole, the expansion of franchise networks was matched by a similar increase in direct jobs.

Revenue, meanwhile, grew by 9% compared with the first six months of 2025. All three indicators published by the ABF — revenue, outlets and employment — therefore increased during the period, providing a broader picture of Paraná’s performance than financial results alone.

These figures, however, measure different things. Outlet numbers indicate the scale of franchise networks’ presence, while employment figures capture the direct jobs associated with that activity. Revenue represents sales generated and should not be confused with franchisees’ profits or the return on investment in an individual outlet.

This distinction matters for anyone assessing opportunities in the state: overall growth signals an expanding franchise sector, but does not, on its own, demonstrate the profitability of any particular brand or location.

Curitiba sees faster growth in outlets and jobs

Curitiba, the state capital, is Paraná’s largest centre of franchise activity. In the first half of the year, it had 4,948 outlets, up 13.9% on the same period a year earlier. Direct employment reached 42,879, an increase of 13.3%.

For both indicators, the capital grew faster than the state as a whole. The difference is particularly clear in outlet numbers: while Paraná recorded growth of 7.2%, Curitiba’s expansion was close to twice that rate.

Revenue in the capital reached R$3.269 billion, with reported growth of 7.6%. In this case, growth was below the statewide rate of 9%. Together, these figures show that outlets, jobs and revenue did not grow at the same pace in Curitiba.

The aggregate data do not allow this difference to be attributed to a specific cause. Nor do they provide a like-for-like sales comparison between outlets trading in both periods. Investment decisions therefore require a distinction between network expansion and the performance of individual outlets.

Three Paraná cities rank among the largest franchise markets by revenue

Alongside Curitiba, Londrina and Maringá feature in the ABF’s ranking of the 30 Brazilian cities with the highest franchise-sector revenue. Londrina generated R$885.5 million in the first half of 2026, while Maringá recorded R$714.3 million.

The presence of these three cities in the ranking helps illustrate the scale of different markets within Paraná. However, the figures represent all franchises in each municipality, not an estimate of the revenue available to a new outlet.

Together, the 30 cities in the ranking generated R$64.08 billion during the half-year, with nominal growth of 9%. Of these, 13 are not state capitals. The ranking provides a benchmark for comparing market size, but is no substitute for analysing competition, costs and demand at each prospective business location.

Growth comes amid concerns over costs and recruitment

Paraná’s performance forms part of a national picture of growth tempered by caution. The Brazilian Franchising Study, conducted by the ABF in partnership with Sebrae, Brazil’s small business support agency, reported a 9.7% increase in franchise-sector revenue in the first half of 2026.

Qualitative interviews highlighted concerns about costs, interest rates, margins and consumers’ growing sensitivity to prices. Delayed investment was also a recurring theme.

Among the networks surveyed, 55% cited the tax burden as one of their main concerns for the following 12 months. Workforce issues were mentioned by 50%; high interest rates and access to credit by 34%; and inflation and rising costs by 33%.

Even so, 92% of the franchisors surveyed intended to open new outlets, and 85% expected their networks’ performance to improve. These are national figures and should not be treated as forecasts specifically for Paraná.

In practice: when assessing a franchise opportunity in the state, use growth figures as context and separately check recruitment costs, outlet expenses and local demand before committing to an investment.