What is Franchising?

Franchising is a proven business model that allows individuals to start and grow their own business with the support of an established brand, a tested system, and ongoing mentorship. It provides a structured way to become self-employed without the uncertainty of starting from scratch – it’s pretty fabulous!

For aspiring entrepreneurs, business owners looking to scale, or individuals seeking a low-risk route into business ownership, franchising offers a ready-made roadmap to success.

However, not all franchises are created equal. Reputable franchises should be accredited by the British Franchise Association (BFA)—the UK’s regulatory body that ensures ethical franchising, transparency, and a high standard of business support. When considering a franchise, always check for BFA accreditation to ensure you’re investing in a legitimate, ethical, and well-structured opportunity

How Does Franchising Work?

In a franchise, a franchisor (the business owner) grants a license to a franchisee (the business operator) to use their brand, business model, and operational systems. This means the franchisee benefits from an established reputation, training, and ongoing support while running their own business.

Franchisees typically pay an initial investment fee, plus ongoing fees for continued support, marketing, and business development. In return, they receive:

A recognised brand name – customers trust established businesses.
A proven business model – reducing the risks of starting from scratch.
Comprehensive training – no previous industry experience necessarily required.
Ongoing support and mentorship – a community to help along the way.
Marketing and operational systems – everything is already in place to get started.

A reputable franchisor will provide full disclosure about these elements and should be BFA-accredited, demonstrating they meet high industry standards.

Why Choose Franchising?

Franchising is widely recognised as a lower-risk way to start a business, offering the independence of business ownership with the backing of an established system.

The latest BFA statistics (source The BFA) show just how effective franchising can be:

99.5 percent of UK franchises remain commercially viable after five years, compared to nearly 50 percent of independent start-ups that fail within three years.
The UK franchise industry contributes £19.1 billion to the economy and supports over 700,000 jobs.
There are over 1,000 franchise systems and 50,000 franchised businesses operating across the UK.

By investing in a franchise, business owners gain a structured approach to growth, significantly improving their chances of success.

However, choosing the right franchise is crucial. The best franchises operate under ethical guidelines, provide strong ongoing support, and are BFA-accredited, ensuring they meet the highest industry standards.

Types of Franchises

Franchising spans a wide range of industries, making it a flexible opportunity suited to different skills, interests, and lifestyles. Some of the most popular types include:

Retail and Food Franchises – Coffee shops, fast food, and convenience stores.
Service-Based Franchises – Marketing agencies like activ, recruitment firms, and professional services.
Education and Childcare Franchises – Tutoring, nurseries, and after-school programmes.
Fitness and Wellbeing Franchises – Gyms, personal training, and health coaching.
Home-Based and Online Franchises – Digital marketing, consultancy, and virtual assistant services.

Whether you’re looking for a brick-and-mortar business or a flexible, home-based opportunity, there’s a franchise model that fits with your own personal personal and professional goals.

Who is Franchising For?

Franchising is an ideal option for:

Aspiring entrepreneurs – Those who want to own a business but prefer a structured approach.
Business owners – Looking to scale and expand their operations.
Career changers – Individuals wanting to move into a new industry with support.
Investors – Those looking for a business opportunity with an established model.

Regardless of experience, franchising provides a clear, scalable route to business ownership—but only if you choose the right franchise.

Find Out More

If you’re interested in learning more about how franchising could work for you, visit activ Marketing for expert insights and opportunities.

What is Franchising?