Franchise.org reported that the franchise industry posted its highest year-over-year gain since the beginning of the recession in September, up 2.2% since September 2011. The increase of 0.5% was the second monthly increase in a row, after declining slightly in June and July, according to the IFA Franchise Business Index.

A drop in the unemployment rate and an improvement in small business credit conditions contributed most to the September gain in the index. The composite indicator of employment in franchise-intensive industries also continued to make a positive contribution to the index.

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