Frequently asked questions

Franchisors tap into their years of experience to answer some of the most frequently asked questions by people looking at becoming franchise owners

How can I get a realistic idea of how much it will cost to set a franchise up?

Your franchisor should have done it all before so will be able to advise and guide you on the start up process and what the costs should be. Bear in mind there could be regional variations (cost of office or retail premises or staff) but the franchisor should know if there is any reason why the business would not work in a particular area of the country.

Simon Dalziel,
Franchise Director at Bluebird Care

What are the common mistakes/misconceptions when buying a franchise?

Common mistakes are to think that by buying a franchise you will just get a successful business, it will also require a lot of effort on your part. Advice I offer is to never make the final decision until you are completely satisfied. A good franchisor should not put you under any pressure to sign. Remember that they have a challenge to find the right partners to join them and so will wait if you are the right candidate.

Patrick Thompson,
Franchise Recruitment Manager at Caremark

Is my franchise legally protected?

While there are no specific laws in the UK that legally protect your franchise, the contract or Franchise Agreement between you and your franchisor should lay out the rights of both the franchisor and the franchise owner. It should include your rights to market, Management Service Fees and other terms and conditions of the agreement.

Ensure that you have a lawyer look over your Franchise Agreement before you sign anything. There are plenty of specialist franchise lawyers in the UK and many are associated with the British Franchise Association.

Freddie Rayner,
Managing Director, Time For You