Featured Franchises
Primary industry: Domestic Cleaning
Minimum investment level: £7,995
Primary industry: Local Internet Directory
Minimum investment level: £9,950
Primary industry: Recruitment of ex-Forces
Minimum investment level: £15,500
Primary industry: Residential Services
Minimum investment level: £9,999
Primary industry: Lawn Care
Minimum investment level: £6,900
Primary industry: Estate Agency Sign Management
Minimum investment level: £10,000
Primary industry: Weddings and events
Minimum investment level: £9,995
Primary industry: care and buety producs
Minimum investment level: £17,500
Primary industry: Internet
Minimum investment level: £1,000
Primary industry: Mobile car valeting
Minimum investment level: £7,000
Primary industry: signs and graphics
Minimum investment level: £35,000
Primary industry: Care
Minimum investment level: £32,500
Primary industry: Business Development
Minimum investment level: £3,500
Primary industry: Accountancy
Minimum investment level: £30,000
Primary industry: Property services
Minimum investment level: £5,000
Primary industry: Photography
Minimum investment level: £46,000
History of Franchising
Franchising dates back to at least the 1850s; Isaac Singer, who made improvements to an existing model of a sewing machine, wanted to increase the distribution of his sewing machines. His effort, though unsuccessful in the long run, was among the first franchising efforts in the U.S. A slightly later, yet much more successful, example of franchising was John S. Pemberton's franchising of Coca-Cola. Early American examples include the telegraph system, which was operated by various railroad companies but controlled by Western Union, and exclusive agreements between automobile manufacturers and operators of local dealerships.Modern franchising came to prominence with the rise of franchise-based food service establishments. This trend started as early as 1919 with quick service restaurants such as A&W Root Beer. In 1935, Howard Deering Johnson teamed up with Reginald Sprague to establish the first modern restaurant franchise. The idea was to let independent operators use the same name, food, supplies, logo and even building design in exchange for a fee.
The growth in franchises picked up steam in the 1930s when such chains as Howard Johnson's started franchising motels. The 1950s saw a boom of franchise chains in conjunction with the development of America's Interstate Highway System. Fast food restaurants, diners and motel chains exploded. In regards to contemporary franchise chains, McDonalds is arguably the most successful worldwide with more restaurant units than any other franchise network.
UK Franchises for sale