Franchising in the UK has never been more competitive, with brands battling harder than ever for franchisee attention and market share. Standing out from hundreds of rivals promising similar freedom and flexibility is no small task. That’s where the Elite Franchise Top 100 (EF100) comes in, and entries for its milestone tenth edition are now open.
Making the EF100 places a brand among the leading names in UK franchising, lifting its profile with prospective franchisees across the country. Brands that reach the Top 100 keep that status for the whole of 2027, using it to set themselves apart from competitors in a crowded market.
The rankings are decided by a panel of more than 25 industry figures, including Gillian Morris, UK Head of Franchising, and Franchise Directors Bal Kaur and Innes Laing, from headline sponsor HSBC UK. Pip Wilkins QFP, Chief Executive of the British Franchise Association, also sits on the panel alongside other senior figures from across the sector. The full list of judges can be found here.
Each entry is scored against eight measures covering longevity, financial performance, network size and growth, and the contribution a brand makes to both franchising and local communities. Judges also look at how well franchisees are supported, how far a brand is pushing innovation, particularly in technology and ESG, and its ambitions for the future, from expansion to customer experience. It’s this breadth that gives an EF100 place its weight: a single strong year isn’t enough, brands need to prove themselves across the board.
Wilkins says the standard rises every year. “This is truly a celebration of the UK’s best and brightest brands. There’s no easy way in; franchisors from 100 to 1 have to wow the judges with standout achievements and present strong evidence that proves they deserve their spot on the list. Each year, we see franchisors pushing the envelope with innovative strategies and staggering levels of commitment to their network. I’m confident this, the 10th iteration of the EF100, will be no exception.”
Alongside the league table, an awards evening in March hands out further honours, including the EF100 number one winner’s trophy, plus prizes for performance, innovation, sustainability and diversity. For Jodie Marsh, International Commercial Director at Elite Franchise, recognition of this kind carries real weight in a sector that doesn’t always get its due.
“Recognition really matters in franchising. The EF100 is a great way for brands to get the credit they deserve and it gives them something they can genuinely be proud of throughout the year.
“The awards night is always one of my favourite events. It’s just a brilliant room to be in, loads of energy, loads of people celebrating each other, and a real sense of pride in what the sector’s achieved. It’s a proper reminder of how strong franchising is when everyone comes together,” she says.
Entries close at midnight on Friday 4th September 2027, with rankings revealed on Friday 4th December. Franchises can submit an entry here. Those who make the Top 100 will be invited to the awards ceremony on Thursday 11th March 2027, at a location still under wraps, where the year’s winners will be crowned.
Ten years in, the EF100 has become something of a rite of passage for ambitious UK franchises, and this milestone edition looks set to be the toughest yet. For any brand confident it’s setting the pace in its sector, now is the moment to prove it. Find out more and view current rankings here.
