In fact, you could study business for years – even at university level – and never come across the word ‘franchise’. It’s a baffling oversight, and one we as an industry must urgently address if we want to secure the next generation of franchise leaders.
That’s why Kevin Thackrah, Director of Petpals, is proud to see the brand playing an active role in raising the profile of franchising. Most recently, its Brand Development Manager, David Gray, partnered with the British Franchise Association (BFA) to deliver an online educational session designed to introduce students and aspiring entrepreneurs to the world of franchising – and show them why it should be on their radar when considering how to launch a business.
Here, Kevin discusses why early education matters, how real-world examples can shift perceptions and what more the industry must do to bring franchising into the spotlight for the next generation.
The session formed part of the BFA’s broader mission to bring franchising into mainstream business education. It’s a mission we wholeheartedly support. Because while franchising is often associated with older entrepreneurs or those seeking lifestyle businesses, it’s time we updated that narrative. The reality is that franchising is a proven, scalable and future-focused way of running a business – and it’s just as relevant to a 25-year-old as it is to someone pivoting in their 50s.
David drew on his own journey – from building a successful multi-territory franchise at Petpals to working within the franchisor team – to highlight how franchising offers the freedom of business ownership with the added security and support of an established brand. But what stood out most was the real-world perspective he brought to the table. He wasn’t there to sell a dream – he was there to give honest, tangible insight into what franchising actually looks like from the inside.
And that’s what makes this kind of outreach so impactful. Because franchising isn’t a shortcut. It’s not a side hustle. It’s a serious, long-term business model – one that’s quietly powering thousands of successful enterprises across the country. We just need to tell that story more clearly and more consistently.
At Petpals, we’re also looking at how we can inspire interest in franchising at a grassroots level. From offering student work placements to partnering with colleges on live business projects, we’ve seen first-hand how early exposure to franchising can change perceptions – and even lead to future franchisees. One former placement student now owns her own Petpals franchise. That’s the kind of legacy we want to create.
But of course, we’re still facing a major awareness gap. Public understanding of franchising remains limited – and in some cases, completely inaccurate. Even people working within franchise networks sometimes don’t realise they’re part of a wider model. That lack of understanding is one of our biggest challenges as an industry. But it’s also one of our biggest opportunities.
By showing up, sharing stories and engaging with young people in a meaningful way, we can shift the conversation. We can show that franchising is not just a viable route into business – it’s a smart, sustainable one. One that offers growth, support and community.
David’s work with the BFA is a strong step in the right direction and the feedback from the session shows there’s a real appetite for this kind of honest, experience-led learning. But this is just the beginning. We need more franchisees, franchisors and industry bodies stepping up to showcase what franchising has to offer. Because if we don’t talk about it, who will?
