Fall Small Business Report and Survey
Small businesses are at the heart of local economies. As part of our mission to support small businesses and local entrepreneurs, Main Street America leads one of the nation’s largest small business surveys. Through our network of state, county, and local Main Street organizations, we have received 22,724 small business survey responses since we began these surveys in 2020.
Our survey respondents demonstrate the depth and range of Main Street businesses in our network. We heard from retailers selling vintage and physical media in California, new and used books and craft beer by the bottle in North Carolina, and musical instruments and supplies in Minnesota. Our respondents include a Hawaiian food restaurant in Illinois, a crepe and coffee shop in Tennessee, an Ethiopian restaurant in Louisiana, and an Indian food restaurant in Missouri. Main Street business respondents include many businesses that aren’t retailers or restaurants; for example, a DJ in Wyoming, a “haunted attraction” in Texas, and a community bank in Kentucky provided responses.
Confidence Continues to Rebound
Despite overall rising values, confidence levels remain uneven across different sectors and business types. Professional services business owners are more confident than business owners in arts and entertainment or food and beverage. Businesses with more than five full-time employees are half a point more confident than businesses with fewer than three full-time staff.
Revenue and Profit are Steadily Growing
Climbing confidence is supported by upward trends in revenue and profit. 34% of responding business owners reported increasing revenue in Fall 2026, compared with 26% in Spring 2025. Likewise, 26% reported increasing net profit in Fall 2026, compared with 16% in Spring 2025.
Main Street Businesses are Rooted in Community
About 45% regularly serve tourists, and just under 30% regularly serve other businesses and online customers. About one-eighth of all respondents said they regularly served four customer types: locals, customers they know by name, online customers, and business-to-business customers.
For the full report and data insight, please visit Mainstreet.org here!