Elite Franchise Magazine

EF100 2027 opens: is your franchise brand ready?

The UK's biggest franchise ranking celebrates a landmark tenth year as entries officially open today

Buoyed by success

Water Babies’ MD James Brookes, outlines how rising demand for early-years swimming lessons, strong parental trust, and a tech-driven franchise model continue to drive momentum across the UK and beyond

Q&A: How Home Instead thinks global and acts local

Home Instead’s UK MD Ruth Brown talks leadership, franchising, resilience, and why building a values-led business starts with people…

And the 2026 EWiF Award winners are

Nine women were recognised at the annual EWiF Awards ceremony in Leicester on Wednesday 20 May, celebrating outstanding achievement across franchising

Maids in the UK

Recurring revenue and systems-led growth are reshaping the cleaning franchise model as Merry Maids UK positions itself for long-term scale. We spoke to Brand Leader Vikki Donnachie, to find out more…

Celebrating the best in franchising

Elite Franchise Top 100 (EF100) Awards 2026, recognising the businesses and individuals driving excellence across the franchising sector

Franchise built on Purpose, People and a Relentless Drive for Better Care

Rod of the Antarctic

An unlikely Dyno-Rod Plumbing & Drains partnership with a polar explorer shows how franchise networks can connect community impact, brand purpose, and local business leadership to maximise branding opportunities…

Hitting a major milestone

Home Instead’s inspirational boss sees the company hit 20 with the same purpose-led vigour and principles that started it all, but plenty of commercial success to talk about…

Hubs Bakshi: My Story

After scaling from one McDonald’s restaurant to five, with a sixth on the way, Hubs Bakshi explains how people, culture, innovation and community engagement have shaped his rapid expansion

Stagecoach CEO Lisa Stead explains how she turned her student experience there into franchise leadership, inspiring students across the performing arts network

The personnel touch

More Than Loft Ladders has an exhaustive process to introduce newcomers to the business and set them up for success both initially and on an ongoing basis

Worldwide wings

Making an impact in the popular and competitive QSR sector isn’t easy, but Chicken Cottage COO, Tom Corcoran believes the brand’s mix of classic offerings, flavour experimentation and tech-lead service standards gives it the edge over the competition. We spoke to him to find out more…

Who cares for Carers?

A homecare company putting care at the centre of its culture seems like a no-brainer, but in a sector beset by high staff turnover, carer care is a strategy that has been central to its successful expansion in the UK and Europe. We spoke to CEO Dan Archer, to find out more…

Snapping into shape

Part of the successful Lift Brands fitness portfolio, Snap Fitness’ popular gym memberships offer 24-7 access alongside digital and online wellbeing content. We spoke to CEO Kevin Yates to find out more about the franchise and what it offers.

Wish you were here?

For those that love travel, having a business that offers the chance to be your own boss while also exploring different destinations sounds like an unattainable dream. But taking on a Travel Franchise business - ranked in the top-20 in this year’s EF100 - is exactly that. We spoke to one franchise owner about their personal journey

Franchising’s fresh frontier

The debut of Elite Franchise Live webinar opened with a thought-provoking session titled “Next Gen Z.” While the title hinted at a forward-thinking discussion, what followed was both a conversation and a compelling call to action, urging the franchising community to reimagine itself for a younger, more purpose-driven generation

Maid to measure business

Molly Maid franchisee, Gabi Boi, describes her journey from office manager to franchise owner and how it has brought flexibility to her role as a young parent and business leader…

Make your mark in the care sector

In a sector defined by the need for business acumen and compassionate care delivery, Caremark – a top-10 finisher in this year’s EF100 - aims to be the benchmark of innovation, quality, and purpose

Franchising’s finest take centre stage

Elite Franchise was proud to host the Elite Franchise Top 100 (EF100) 2025 celebration last night, bringing together the UK’s most exceptional franchises at the prestigious Leonardo Royal St. Paul’s in London

Building a drama school out of a crisis

Stagecoach Performing Arts and Drama Kids thriving under the stewardship of CEO Andy Knights

Swimming toward success

CEO Howard Harrison talks passion and purpose behind Water Babies.

Blazing a trail

Snap-on – this year’s EF100 winner - is a multi-award-winning franchise brand, occupying a distinct position in both the franchising and automotive landscapes

Doing the right thing

Home care provider Right at Home is going from strength to strength with an offering that boasts targeted digital marketing

European kitchen improvement brand Raison Home is making inroads into the UK market with a growing number of successful franchise owners. We talked to one to find out just what’s cooking…

Doing it by the book

Just before he walked off into the sunset of a well-earned retirement, franchise finance and business planning expert Chris Roberts wrote a book that offers a complete guide to finance and more. Here he tells us all about it…

SPONSORED FEATURE

EF100 2027 opens: is your franchise brand ready?

Andy Swales

Jul 6 '26

The UK’s biggest franchise ranking celebrates a landmark tenth year as entries officially open today

The people you will meet in franchise training and the questions worth asking

Frank Milner

Jul 10 '26

Franchise training is as much about the people you meet as the systems you learn. Frank Milner of Tutor Doctor on who to connect with, what to ask, and why those relationships matter long after launch

When purpose becomes part of the franchise model

Kevin Thackrah

Jul 10 '26

Explore the PetPals franchise values as they celebrate 25 years of purposeful community support and meaningful action

Our top tips for using automated decision-making in franchising

Fiona Boswell

Jul 9 '26

Automated decision-making is becoming easier to deploy but governance will decide who gets it right

How to stop fishing in the same pool of franchisees

Liam Hobbs

Jul 9 '26

The best future franchisees may not even know they want a franchise yet, franchise recruitment should not be about generating the most enquiries. It should be about finding the right people

Why franchise owners should champion employee fundraising

Graham Precious

Jul 8 '26

When employers support charitable fundraising initiatives, it demonstrates that they value employees as individuals, not just members of staff

Franchise ownership: common nighttime fears and how to overcome them

Paul Lewis

Jul 7 '26

Prospective franchisees often ask practical questions during meetings, but the deeper concerns that keep them awake at night are emotional

Not local? Not cheap? The BFA busts franchising’s biggest misconceptions

Andy Swales

Jul 7 '26

A BFA member poll has identified the two most common myths about franchising in the UK. Andy Swales reports

Scaling success: More Than Loft Ladders invests in the future of its franchise network

Andy Swales

Jul 6 '26

More Than Loft Ladders has grown turnover by almost 70% and expanded from 10 to 15 franchise partners. Franchise director Liam Hobbs explains what is driving the momentum

Why franchising could be the smarter way to start a business

Cathryn Hayes

Jul 6 '26

More people than ever are exploring business ownership but not all routes are equal. Cathryn Hayes of Revive on why franchising gives aspiring entrepreneurs a proven edge

Why human connection matters in an increasingly AI-driven world

Rebecca Newenham

Jul 3 '26

AI can boost productivity and consistency, but it cannot replace the human presence that builds trust, relationships and a lasting business

YO! Sushi expands Tesco partnership with five new kiosk openings this September

Andy Swales

Jul 3 '26

Record sales and 100% year-on-year growth at existing locations are driving YO! Sushi’s latest expansion, as the brand opens five new Tesco kiosks and seeks fresh franchise partners