Featured Franchises
Dolly Char (UK) Ltd
Primary industry: Domestic Cleaning
Minimum investment level: £999
Primary industry: Domestic Cleaning
Minimum investment level: £999
Business For Breakfast
Primary industry: Business Services
Minimum investment level: £20,000
Primary industry: Business Services
Minimum investment level: £20,000
CityLocal
Primary industry: Local Internet Directory
Minimum investment level: £9,950
Primary industry: Local Internet Directory
Minimum investment level: £9,950
Forces Recruitment Services (FRS) Ltd
Primary industry: Recruitment of ex-Forces
Minimum investment level: £15,500
Primary industry: Recruitment of ex-Forces
Minimum investment level: £15,500
Stayclean Window Cleaning Ltd
Primary industry: Window Cleaning
Minimum investment level: £1,500
Primary industry: Window Cleaning
Minimum investment level: £1,500
FitKid Ltd
Primary industry: Childrens Fitness
Minimum investment level: £7,500
Primary industry: Childrens Fitness
Minimum investment level: £7,500
Maid2Clean
Primary industry: Domestic Cleaning Agency
Minimum investment level: £8,246
Primary industry: Domestic Cleaning Agency
Minimum investment level: £8,246
Supagrass Ltd
Primary industry: Lawn Care
Minimum investment level: £6,900
Primary industry: Lawn Care
Minimum investment level: £6,900
PETsits
Primary industry: Pet Care
Minimum investment level: £2,000
Primary industry: Pet Care
Minimum investment level: £2,000
Countrywide Signs
Primary industry: Estate Agency Sign Management
Minimum investment level: £10,000
Primary industry: Estate Agency Sign Management
Minimum investment level: £10,000
Ambience Hire
Primary industry: Weddings and events
Minimum investment level: £8,495
Primary industry: Weddings and events
Minimum investment level: £8,495
Go Kart Party Ltd
Primary industry: Childrens entertainment
Minimum investment level: £25,000
Primary industry: Childrens entertainment
Minimum investment level: £25,000
Photo Flashback
Primary industry: Photographic
Minimum investment level: £12,500
Primary industry: Photographic
Minimum investment level: £12,500
Autovaletdirect
Primary industry: Mobile car valeting
Minimum investment level: £7,000
Primary industry: Mobile car valeting
Minimum investment level: £7,000
Racing Challenge
Primary industry: Events
Minimum investment level: £24,920
Primary industry: Events
Minimum investment level: £24,920
LockRite
Primary industry: Locksmith Franchise
Minimum investment level: £22,500
Primary industry: Locksmith Franchise
Minimum investment level: £22,500
10 Points to Consider Before Buying a Franchise
- Take a critical look at your strengths and weaknesses - do you have the room for growth, attitude and business expertise to run your own business? Marketing and selling skills are becoming more important when considering a franchise.
- Do you have the support of your family - the increased demands on your time may increase friction within the family unit.
- Choose some existing franchises and franchisees to talk to by looking at websites like www.SelectYourFranchise.com. Ask how the franchisee's businesses are performing and how the franchisor is assisting them in terms of service and support.
- If the franchise is new, check they have already tried and tested a pilot programme, how long did it run for, what did it achieve in terms of growth and return on investment? If there was no pilot run, how does the franchisor know the franchise and therefore will you be successful?
- Examine how well known the franchise and its service/product are. A good reputation is a head start in business.
- Look at the market as a whole - find out who your competitors are and look at their strength in the marketplace.
- Review the costs carefully, pay close attention to the the initial franchise fee and any additional monthly management costs, and whether they are reasonable and value for money. Will the margins be sufficient to support the business after payment of regular fees to the franchisor? As a guide, the average franchise fee is
