Millennials are entering the workforce in record numbers and are changing the way businesses are run, according to new research from Principal Financial Group Inc.

Millennial business owners have an overall healthier outlook on their business prospects when compared with business owners from other generations, according to the Principal Financial Well-Being Index: Business Owners report released today.

Conducted in July and August, the survey polled 600 business owners nationwide who own at least 5 percent of a company in the United States with 10 to 500 employees and who are actively involved in company management.

Eighty-three percent of millennial business owners have added staff in the past year, compared with 66 percent of Generation X and 49 percent of baby boomers. Over half (51 percent) of millennial owners say their businesses are growing, compared with just 35 percent of Gen X and 36 percent of baby boomers. Additionally, millennials (48 percent) are significantly more likely than Gen X (31 percent) and baby boomers (23 percent) to add employee benefits in the coming year.

Millennial business owners are also more likely to offer certain unique work perks than their Gen X and baby boomer counterparts. While flex time remains a top perk across the board, millennials are considerably more likely to offer free food, telecommuting, laundry services, on-site day care and nap rooms, to name a few.

All these amenities point to confidence. Just over three-fourths (78 percent) of millennial business owners think their business financials will improve in the next 12 months, compared with only half (54 percent) of baby boomers and 65 percent of Gen X owners.