These are the questions we are most frequently asked about buying and running a franchise in the UK. If you cannot find what you are looking for, get in touch and we will be glad to help.
Getting started
What is a franchise?
A franchise lets you run your own business under an established brand, using its name, products and systems, in return for an initial fee and ongoing payments. The franchisor supplies the model, training and support; you supply the investment and the day-to-day running of it. Our guide to what a franchise is explains how the relationship works in more detail.
Is franchising right for me?
Franchising suits people who want to run their own business but would rather follow a proven system than build one from scratch. It works best if you are happy to operate within brand rules and value support over total independence. Our free two-minute readiness quiz scores your answers honestly and, if franchising looks like a fit, matches you to opportunities that suit your budget, industry and lifestyle.
Do I need experience in the industry?
Usually not. Most franchisors recruit on attitude, commercial drive and willingness to follow the system rather than sector background, and they provide full training. Management or customer-facing experience is often an advantage. You can browse opportunities by industry to see which sectors appeal.
How do I find franchises in my area?
Most franchises operate on a territory basis, so availability depends on where you are. You can browse by county or by town and city to see what is open near you, or use the franchise finder to filter by location alongside budget and industry.
Costs and fees
How much does it cost to buy a franchise in the UK?
Investment levels vary enormously, from a few thousand pounds for a home-based or van-based franchise to several hundred thousand for a high-street or restaurant brand. Our guide to how much a franchise costs sets out what the figures include, and the franchise cost guides give typical ranges industry by industry.
Can I start a franchise on a small budget?
Yes. A good number of UK franchises can be started for under £10,000, typically home-based, mobile or service models with low overheads and no premises to fit out. Browse low-cost franchises to see what is available at that level.
What ongoing fees will I pay?
Beyond the initial franchise fee, most brands charge a management or royalty fee, either a percentage of turnover or a fixed monthly amount, and many add a marketing or advertising levy that funds national campaigns. The terms differ by brand and are shown on each listing where the franchisor has supplied them. Our franchise glossary explains the terminology you will meet in a franchise agreement.
Can I get funding to buy a franchise?
The major UK banks have dedicated franchise teams and will often consider lending against an established franchise more readily than against an untested start-up, because the model has a track record. How much is available depends on the brand, your circumstances and your own contribution. Listings show whether the franchisor offers funding support, and you can compare what is on offer across all categories.
Running a franchise
Can I run a franchise part-time or from home?
Many can be run that way, particularly service, tutoring, pet care and mobile models that need no premises. We group these together so they are easy to find: see franchises you can run flexibly and franchises that suit parents working around family.
What is a master franchise?
A master franchise gives you the rights to develop a brand across a whole region or country, recruiting and supporting other franchisees rather than running a single outlet yourself. It needs significantly more capital and usually prior business experience. See current master franchise and development opportunities.
Are international brands available in the UK?
Yes. Overseas brands regularly look for UK partners, either for individual outlets or for the master rights to the whole market. You can browse brands by country of origin on our international franchise opportunities page.
Using FindMyFranchise
Is FindMyFranchise free to use?
Yes, entirely free if you are looking for a franchise. You can browse every listing, compare brands and request information from as many as you like at no cost, with no account required to look around. Start by browsing the categories.
How do I request information from a franchise?
Add any brands that interest you to your request list as you browse, then send your details once and we pass them to every brand on the list, so you are not filling in the same form over and over. You can review what you have gathered on your request list before sending anything.
I run a franchise. How do I get listed?
Every franchise brand can appear on the directory, and a basic listing is free. Paid packages add priority placement, more images, news and case studies. See what is included on our advertising packages page, or read more about advertising with us.
