Up-to-date statistics on the UK franchise market — investment levels, the most popular sectors, and how many opportunities are low-cost, home-based or BFA-accredited. The data below is drawn directly from our live directory of UK franchise opportunities.
As of July 2026, Find My Franchise lists 742 active UK franchise opportunities across 190 sectors. The median minimum investment is £20,000, and 189 opportunities (26%) can be started for under £10,000.
How much it costs to start a franchise in the UK
Required minimum investment varies enormously by model — from sub-£5,000 home-based opportunities to premium operations needing six or seven figures. The table below shows the distribution across the 741 opportunities that publish a minimum investment figure.
| Minimum investment | Opportunities | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Under £5,000 | 63 | 9% |
| £5,000 – £9,999 | 126 | 17% |
| £10,000 – £24,999 | 211 | 28% |
| £25,000 – £49,999 | 129 | 17% |
| £50,000 – £99,999 | 82 | 11% |
| £100,000 and above | 130 | 18% |
Median minimum investment: £20,000 · Average: £59,178 · Range: £50 to £1,742,500.
Most popular UK franchise sectors
The largest franchise categories on Find My Franchise by number of active opportunities:
| Sector | Opportunities |
|---|---|
| Retail Franchises | 172 |
| Food Franchises | 140 |
| Children Franchises | 122 |
| Home Services Franchises | 93 |
| B2B Franchises | 91 |
| Sports Franchises | 66 |
| Home Improvement | 65 |
| Education Franchises | 64 |
| Fitness Franchises | 61 |
| Business Opportunities | 61 |
Low-cost, home-based & flexible franchising
| Characteristic | Opportunities | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Can be started for under £10,000 | 189 | 26% |
| Can be started for under £25,000 | 400 | 54% |
| Home-based | 627 | 85% |
| Can be run part-time | 615 | 83% |
| British Franchise Association (BFA) members | 381 | 51% |
Frequently asked questions
How many franchise opportunities are there in the UK?
Find My Franchise lists 742 active UK franchise opportunities across 190 sectors as of July 2026. This is a directory snapshot of brands actively recruiting franchisees, not a count of every franchise system trading in the UK.
How much does it cost to start a franchise in the UK?
The median minimum investment is £20,000. Across the 741 opportunities with a published figure, the required investment ranges from £50 to £1,742,500, with an average of £59,178. Around 189 (26%) can be started for under £10,000.
What are the cheapest franchises to start in the UK?
The lowest-cost franchises are typically home-based, mobile or management models. 63 opportunities (9% of priced listings) require under £5,000 to start, and 400 require under £25,000. These low-cost models avoid commercial premises and high fit-out costs.
Can you run a franchise from home in the UK?
Yes. 627 of the 742 franchise opportunities on Find My Franchise (85%) are home-based, and 615 (83%) can be run part-time, making franchising accessible alongside other commitments.
How many UK franchises are members of the British Franchise Association (BFA)?
381 of the franchise opportunities listed (51%) hold British Franchise Association membership. BFA membership signals that a franchisor meets the association's ethical and financial standards, though many reputable franchises operate outside it.
Browse all UK franchise opportunities → Take the franchise finder quiz →
