Four Unexpected (Yet Successful) Franchise Opportunities That Emerged in 2020

After so much change, financial hardship and unpredictability, 2021 might seem like a bad time to start a franchise. But the truth is, some franchise types have thrived during the pandemic. In this article, you’ll discover four unexpected franchising opportunities that blossomed out of the strangeness and stress of the global pandemic.

Running a franchise is an exciting, albeit daunting, adventure, especially considering the context of the world as it is right now. But when you really get down to the facts and figures, you’ll see that actually, franchising might be a great option right now.

The impact of COVID-19 on franchising

The impact of the pandemic can be felt on all businesses in and beyond the UK, and it’s no different in the world of franchising. But while you might be expecting the picture to be completely bleak, that’s not case for many. Some businesses have been able to continue operating largely unaffected during COVID-19, and some have even seen an increase in business as a result of the pandemic. Franchises which have struggled include:

• Theatre and entertainment franchises

• Travel franchises

• Restaurant franchises

But on the flipside, franchises which have thrived include:

• Education and tutoring franchises

• Food delivery franchises

• Pet care franchises

COVID-19’s impact on franchising has been huge, and not just in negative ways. Franchising has already seen many positives come out of the crisis. Optimists by nature, franchise leaders have moved mountains in record time to keep their businesses alive and to support their franchisees.
— Don Daszkowski, Forbes

Four unexpected new franchise opportunities

1. PetStay

PetStay is a globally recognised and trusted brand. Founded in 2005, the doggy day care franchise has never forgotten its key principles, and works hard to be on hand for clients and dogs when owners and furry friends can’t be together. In 2021, demand for PetStay has increased as new and old dog owners return to the office and start holidaying again. 

• Becoming a PetStay franchisee: The ideal PetStay franchisee would be someone with a love of dogs, great customer service skills and business acumen.

• How much you need to invest: To become a PetStay franchisee, you’ll need to make a minimum investment of £9,995.

• What you get for your investment: In return for your investment, you’ll receive 3 days of initial training (including an intro to the business, technical training, recruitment training, dog and carer matching training, social media and marketing training, and a booking system tutorial) and ongoing franchisor support post-launch.

2. Tutor Doctor 

Stephen Woolley founded Tutor Doctor in 2017, and during the pandemic, when children weren’t in school, Stephen saw a huge rise in demand for his one-on-one supplementary education services. Since 2017, the tutoring franchise has expanded to 15 countries, amassing over 640 franchises around the world, and the pattern of growth looks set to continue.

• Becoming a Tutor Doctor franchisee: The ideal Tutor Doctor franchisee would be a motivated person, driven to make a difference. They would enjoy working from home and communicating with others during flexible working hours.

• How much you need to invest: To franchise with Tutor Doctor, you’ll need to make a minimum initial investment of £33,000, with total investment costs of £34,700.

• What you get for your investment: In return for your investment, you’ll receive 80 hours of online training and seven intensive days of in-person training. Your launch will be supported, and you’ll receive regular site visits from your franchisor. You’ll also be offered many opportunities for ongoing training and support.

3. Junk Hunters 

With many people utilising the unexpected time at home to do that big clear out that they’ve been putting off for years, it’s no surprise that Junk Hunters has been even more in demand than usual. The van-based franchise specialises in waste removal and recycling for domestic, commercial and construction clients. 

• Becoming a Junk Hunters franchisee: The ideal Junk Hunters franchisee would be hard-working, determined, ambitious and friendly. They would be willing to replicate the franchisor’s proven model of business, and committed to the provision of an outstanding quality of service.

• How much you need to invest: To become a Junk Hunters franchisee, you’ll need to make a minimum initial investment of £10,000, with total investment costs of £23,000. Franchise fees will come to £10,000, and after two years, your expected revenue will be £189,000. 

• What you get for your investment: In return for your investment, you’ll receive induction training and practical ongoing support.

4. Green Square

With more and more people placing a focus on sustainability since the pandemic, interest in renewable energy and environmental concern has increased. Green Square is a leading provider of sustainable energy, installing technology in homes and businesses. The renewable energy franchise, which was founded in 2012, is on a mission to ensure that every one of its customers has a warm, cosy and energy-efficient home.

• Becoming a Green Square franchisee: The ideal Green Square franchisee would be someone with a high level of customer service competence and strong project management skills.

• How much you need to invest: To become a part of this franchise, you’ll need to make a minimum initial investment of £35,000, with total investment costs of £700,000. 

• What you get for your investment: In return for your investment, you’ll receive training, support, IT items, marketing materials, business stationery and a complete back-up service.

Making a career change with franchising is viable, low-risk and high-reward

If you’re interested in making a career change through franchising, it’s more simple than you think. It’s really just a case of completing five key steps...

1. Assess your skills and set your investment budget.

2. Research sectors that interest you, and find opportunities that look as though they might suit you, both in terms of financial means and skill-set.

3. Attend a discovery day for any interesting franchise opportunity, and get a feel for the business.

4. Speak to established franchisees within the business, and ask them about their own experiences.

5. Approach the franchise and begin the process of registering your interest.

6. Before signing a franchise agreement, be sure to speak with a legal professional and have them check it over.

If you’re looking to become a franchisee, take advantage of these amazing new franchise opportunities

If franchising feels right for you, it’s time to find the right opportunity. It might be one of the four listed above, or it might lie elsewhere. Browse a wide range of investment options via Point Franchise’s UK franchise directory.