When people think about franchising, their minds often jump to fast food giants like McDonald’s or Subway. But what if I told you that a significant proportion of businesses in the UK are actually franchises? The numbers are staggering, and the impact of franchising is far greater than most people realise. As the Managing Director of Pitman Training, a successful franchised business, and someone who has spent 20 years in the world of franchising—across retail, education, and consulting—I’ve seen first-hand the power and potential of this business model.
Let’s start with some figures that might surprise you. According to the British Franchise Association (BFA), the franchise sector contributes over £17 billion to the UK economy annually. More remarkably, there are approximately 48,000 franchised business units operating across the country, employing over 700,000 people. These aren’t just small, struggling enterprises—on the contrary, around 93% of UK franchises report profitability, a figure that outshines many independent start-ups.
One of the most common misconceptions is that franchising is limited to fast food. In reality, it spans a vast array of industries, often in places you’d least expect. Take these examples:
Education and training
Pitman Training itself is a franchise, delivering high-quality, career-focused education through franchised centres nationwide.
Healthcare
Home care providers like Home Instead and Right at Home are franchised, offering critical support to the elderly.
Automotive services
Brands such as Snap-on Tools and ChipsAway operate under franchise models.
Children’s activities
Stagecoach Performing Arts and Monkey Music franchises provide structured play and learning experiences.
Fitness
Anytime Fitness, one of the fastest-growing gym franchises, is a household name.
Pet services
Barking Mad, a dog boarding business, runs on a franchise model.
These businesses, often perceived as independent, are actually part of a vast and successful franchising network.
From my experience, both as a franchise professional and as a customer, I firmly believe that franchised businesses deliver superior service. Why? The answer lies in the ownership model.
Unlike corporate employees, franchise owners have skin in the game. They have invested their own money, time, and energy into their business. For them, success is personal. They aren’t just turning up to a job; they are deeply committed to their business because it is their livelihood. This means they are more likely to be hands-on, engaged, and passionate about customer satisfaction.
A few months ago, my wife and I needed an urgent last-minute repair on our car before a family holiday. We took it to a franchised car repair centre, expecting the usual long wait and standard service. Instead, the franchise owner personally assessed the issue, prioritised our repair, and even arranged for his team to stay late to get us back on the road. While we waited, they set up a small play area for our children and offered us coffee. That level of care and dedication is exactly why franchise businesses consistently outperform their independent counterparts.
When was the last time you had exceptional service at a local coffee shop, gym, or even a car repair centre? Chances are, that business was a franchise. Franchisees are typically more present in their businesses, interacting with customers and ensuring high standards. This personal investment translates into better customer experiences, whether you’re an individual consumer or a business client.
If you’ve ever thought about starting your own business, you might assume that building something from scratch is the only way to go. But franchising offers a compelling alternative. Consider this:
Lower risk
With a franchise, you’re buying into a proven model with established branding, systems, and processes. This significantly reduces the risk of failure compared to starting a business from the ground up.
Support and training
Franchisors provide training, marketing support, and operational guidance, meaning you’re never alone.
Easier access to finance
Banks are more willing to lend to franchisees because they see it as a safer investment.
Faster growth
You can start trading much quicker than a traditional start-up since the groundwork has already been laid.
Franchising is one of the best-kept secrets in the UK business world. Whether you’re a consumer who values excellent service or a potential entrepreneur looking for a more secure and supported way to own a business, franchising offers something truly unique. Having spent two decades in this industry, I can confidently say that the franchise model is one of the smartest and most effective ways to run a business. It delivers quality, commitment, and entrepreneurial spirit—all ingredients for long-term success.
So next time you receive great service, take a moment to ask yourself: is this business a franchise? The answer may surprise you. If you’re considering a business venture, why not explore franchising? It could be the best decision you ever make.
