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Starting a Small Business in Nebraska

Welcome to the Small Business Startup Nebraska Franchise Directory! Here, you’ll find everything you need to begin your journey to business ownership in The Cornhusker State. If you’re considering starting a small business in Nebraska, read on for an overview of the state economy. Afterward, explore business opportunities and franchises for sale with our Nebraska Franchise Search Tool.

Nebraska Industry Trends

If an industry is performing well, business opportunities within it are often worth exploring. Begin your market research with this list of the Nebraska economy’s most significant industries in 2022. Afterward, take your research one step further by investigating niche markets and B2B opportunities within one of these top revenue-generating industries.

Corn, Wheat & Soybean Wholesaling (Revenue: $18.8 billion)
Meat, Beef & Poultry Processing (Revenue: $17.0 billion)
Health & Medical Insurance (Revenue $12.6 billion)
Life Insurance & Annuities (Revenue $12.4 billion)
Property, Casualty & Direct Insurance (Revenue $9.1 billion)
Hospitals (Revenue $8.0 billion)
New Car Dealers (Revenue $7.5 billion)
Commercial Banking (Revenue $7.0 billion)
Gas Stations with Convenience Stores (Revenue $6.8 billion)
Gasoline & Petroleum Bulk Stations (Revenue $6.0 billion)

Nebraska Sector Statistics

When starting a small business in Nebraska, gross domestic product (GDP) is another tool entrepreneurs can use to make investment decisions. Generally, a steadily rising GDP means people are spending more money and creating more jobs.

The three sectors contributing most to Nebraska’s GDP in 2022 were Manufacturing; Finance & Insurance; and Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting. Combined, these three sectors represented 37.6% of the state’s GDP. In 2022, the sectors that contributed most to Nebraska’s GDP included:

Manufacturing (Value: $15.1 billion* | Annual growth: 5.8%)
Finance & Insurance (Value: $14.6 billion* | Annual growth: 4.1%)
Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting (Value: $12.1 billion* | Annual growth: -20.1%)
Real Estate and Rental & Leasing (Value: $11.1 billion* | Annual growth: 0.4%)
Healthcare & Social Assistance (Value: $9.2 billion* | Annual growth: 2.6%)
Wholesale Trade (Value: $7.0 billion* | Annual growth: -0.8%)
Transportation & Warehousing (Value: $6.1 billion* | Annual growth: -5.0%)
Retail Trade (Value: $6.0 billion* | Annual growth: -1.4%)
Professional, Scientific & Technical Services (Value: $5.6 billion* | Annual growth: 2.3%)
Information (Value: $5.1 billion* | Annual growth: 4.2%)
Construction (Value: $4.3 billion* | Annual growth: 1.1%)
Administration, Business Support & Waste Management Services (Value: $3.5 billion* | Annual growth: 5.4%)
Management of Companies and Enterprises (Value: $3.2 billion* | Annual growth: 2.4%)
Utilities (Value: $2.5 billion* | Annual growth: -0.5%)
Accommodation and Food Services (Value: $2.3 billion* | Annual growth: 3.5%)

*Approximately

Nebraska Population Statistics

A growing population often means greater demand and a steady flow of new customers. If you are undecided about the location of your new business, start by investigating population statistics. Afterward, take your research a step further by exploring population demographics. Doing so lets you decide whether a location is a good match for your target market.

In 2022, counties with the highest populations in Nebraska included:

Douglas (Population: 582,700 | Annual growth rate*: 0.7%)
Lancaster (Population: 325,400 | Annual growth rate*: 0.7%)
Sarpy (Population: 193,700 | Annual growth rate*: 1.3%)
Hall (Population: 60,600 | Annual growth rate*: -0.3%)
Buffalo (Population: 50,700 | Annual growth rate*: 0.6%)
Dodge (Population: 35,900 | Annual growth rate*: -0.5%)
Scotts Bluff (Population: 34,800 | Annual growth rate*: -0.8%)
Madison (Population: 34,500 | Annual growth rate*: -0.4%)
Lincoln (Population: 33,600 | Annual growth rate*: -1.0%)
Platte (Population: 33,400 | Annual growth rate*: 0.1%)
Adams (Population: 31,200 | Annual growth rate*: -0.2%)
Cass (Population: 26,400 | Annual growth rate*: 0.3%)
Dawson (Population: 23,400 | Annual growth rate*: -0.3%)
Saunders (Population: 22,500 | Annual growth rate*: 1.3%)
Gage (Population: 21,300 | Annual growth rate*: -0.3%)

*From 2017 to 2022.

Nebraska Business Opportunities

We hope this snapshot of the Nebraska economy helps as you investigate business opportunities in The Cornhusker State! Starting a small business in Nebraska is an exciting journey, and we know you’re probably eager to start. But remember, take your time to explore all your options. While you’ll always have the “opportunity” to start your own business, sometimes, it makes more sense to invest in an opportunity that already exists. These are called “Franchise Opportunities,” and they offer several benefits, including the recognition of a well-established brand and a proven track record of success.

To learn more, start by exploring franchise opportunities in Nebraska below!

Explore Opportunities and Insights

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Window Genie

Window Genie, a Neighborly company, is the nation's leading window cleaning and pressure washing franchise. With us, you'll open your window to a brighter future

$50,000 Min Cash Required

CartCapital - Subscription Based E-Commerce Store

Did you know you could partner with a company to build out your entire e-commerce store, from product research to inventory acquisition to marketing? Yep You can easily make 6-7 figures in passive income when we build your e-commerce empire and money-making machine from the ground up All it takes is an upfront investment, and our team will do the rest. By this time next year, you could be sitting on a 7 figure empire. Request more information now

$30,000 Min Cash Required

Blue Coast Savings Consultants

Blue Coast Savings Consultants is a leading consultancy in cost savings and expense reduction. For over 30 years, our advisors have helped businesses enhance their profits and achieve greater financial flexibility by cutting unnecessary costs. If we dont deliver savings, theres simply no fee.

$70,000 Min Cash Required

PostalAnnex

Today's busy lifestyles demand the services PostalAnnex offers. Capitalize on this demand and open your own business After retiring from the printing business PostalAnnex founder Jack Lentz began working out of his home as a business consultant. He soon realized the need for mailing faxing copying shipping and other services to belong under one roof. As a result he created the first PostalAnnex store business franchise located next door to a post office in the University City neighborhood of San Diego CA. Our franchises serve a growing customer base of small and home-based businesses that lacks the resources our stores offer. Today's hectic lifestyle requires a one-stop service center for businesses that don't have an administrative assistant to take care of those daily errands. Saving our consumers time is what keeps them coming back. By being a local neighborhood business

$70,000 Min Cash Required

Batteries Plus

Over 30 years of consistent growth. Ongoing support. Multiple revenue streams. Whether youre looking into owning your very first store, or youre interested in adding to your existing franchise portfolio, Batteries Plus is here to help. Learn more about the costs, benefits, and available locations today

$100,000 Min Cash Required

Spartan Floor Coatings

There are potentially countless other garage floor coating franchises that offer coatings of various styles & types that you have come across in your search for a cheap garage floor franchise or a concrete coating franchise. The dependability & variety of our floor covering franchise is unmatched. Our franchise offer services that cover much more of a home, including polyaspartic garage flooring, epoxy basement floors, & patio coating. What other garage franchise opportunities offer that much?

Starting a Small Business in Nebraska