SHOHOLA, Pa., Sept. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Perfect Franchise (TPF), a leading franchise consulting firm, today announced new insights into the evolution of the U.S. workforce, driven by what it has termed "The Great Reassessment." The firm posits that while the Great Resignation has ended, it was merely the beginning of a long-term, systemic shift in which individuals are prioritizing purpose, fulfillment, and autonomy over traditional career paths.

The Great Resignation, which saw unprecedented numbers of people voluntarily leaving their jobs, was initially attributed to factors like poor pay, bad bosses and subpar work environments. However, a thesis from The Perfect Franchise suggests a more profound catalyst: the COVID-19 pandemic served as a seminal event that fundamentally changed many individuals' worldviews. Similar to the impact of the Great Depression or the Great Migration on previous generations, the pandemic prompted a large-scale search for a better life.

Today, this trend has evolved into the Great Reassessment—a complete reimagining of what a career means. Historically, workers sought long-term stability with a single company before transitioning to a model of jumping between companies for better compensation and work-life balance.

The Perfect Franchise believes the workforce is now taking the next step: a shift toward freedom, autonomy, balance and ownership. The confluence of a renewed focus on personal fulfillment and technological advances has made it possible for many to work effectively from home, reducing commutes and expenses and tipping the scales in favor of business ownership.

This renewed focus on personal priorities is driving a surge of interest in franchising. The franchise model provides individuals with business structure, autonomy, and the ability to build wealth and income in a singular format, making it the ideal solution for those who have reassessed their lives and are seeking business opportunities that align with their new values and priorities. The Perfect Franchise believes this trend will continue and will be a major driver of interest in franchise business ownership for the next decade.