NEW DELHI: While most sectors are facing a slump in demand owing to the global slowdown, the franchising sector is upscaling operations and recruiting professionals, an industry lobby survey shows. “While other industries are constrained to lay off people, franchisers are having a busy time as they are recruiting new franchisees,” according to the survey by Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI). “They also need more professionals in their organisations now more than ever before for planning and managing their network growth strategy,” it added. The total number of people employed in the franchise sector is estimated at 950,000. Of these, 750,000 are permanent full-time employees and 80,000 are permanent part-time while 120,000 lakh are casual labourers. Delhi and the national capital region (NCR) boasts of having 70 per cent brands of 408 brand franchisers. Western India with 386 brands occupies the second spot followed by southern India with 250 brands (mostly in Bangalore and Chennai) and the eastern region with 58 brands (the majority in Kolkata).