Buying a franchise

The terms “buying a franchise” and “franchises for sale” are often used in franchising by those looking to start their own business under the proven brand and systems of an existing franchise network.

Both buying a franchising and franchises for sale however, are terms not often used by the British Franchise Association (bfa). 

Buying a franchise suggests that you are able to select a franchise that you like, turn up with a cheque and buy it there and then. The reality is very different...

As much as you should take your time in researching suitable franchises, the franchisors (the business who owns the brand and systems) will be taking their time about who they allow to take on a franchise business. In some cases this process can take a number of months. In fact some smaller younger franchises may only accept one person out of every fifty that apply for a franchise. Many established networks have ratios closer to one in a hundred. Some of the biggest can be one in a thousand. 

Therefore, throughout the bfa website the term “Joining a Franchise” is used instead of buying a franchise or franchises for sale. 

For more information about franchising and the key steps to taking on a franchise, visit the bfa’s information section on Joining a Franchise.