Key Franchising Insights: Your Monthly Round-up from The Franchising Centre

Each month, they’ve been focusing on the key developments and trends shaping the industry, making sure our clients and partners — both current and future — stay ahead of the curve.

Chances are you’ve seen many our updates land in your inbox already, but we know how busy you are, so from now on, we’re making it even easier: a quick monthly round-up like this one, packed with the most important insights you need to know so you can focus on what’s most relevant to you.

Franchisee Recruitment

After a long and challenging few years, there are growing signs that franchise recruitment is finally starting to turn a corner.

From Brexit uncertainty and the economic shock of COVID-19 to the ongoing fallout of the war in Ukraine and a major shift in working attitudes, it’s no surprise that franchise growth has been slower and harder to achieve. Prolonged uncertainty made people far more risk-averse, and traditional drivers of franchise interest shifted as remote work became an easier escape.

This won’t be news to you, of course, but we are definitely seeing signs that change is in the air. Early indicators across our client base show rising engagement and renewed interest in franchise opportunities, with more people moving from simple curiosity to serious conversations. Franchises which put in the work now to position themselves for this big shift will be the ones leading the pack in 2025 and beyond.

Franchising Your Business

Nowhere was this change in the franchising world more evident than it was at The International Franchise Show at London Excel in April. With 11,000 people walking through the door, with most of them looking to become franchisees, but also many existing business owners looking to franchise their business as a way to expand, it was the busiest and most dynamic event we’ve been to in years.

We led seminars, held hundreds of conversations, and one question kept coming up from existing business owners: "Is my business ready to franchise?" It’s a big question — and the right one to be asking now, as interest surges and competition heats up. If you're thinking about franchising, there’s never been a better time to start the conversation and to put franchising back on the table as a serious growth option.

Franchise Storytelling

Of course, no-ones had an easy time of it over the last few years, but some franchises have done better than others. We took a deeper look at what all the most successful franchises have in common, and one thing is crystal clear: the most successful franchises don’t just offer great systems, products, and support. They create a genuine emotional connection with their prospects.

Whether it’s sharing your origin story, showcasing franchisee successes, or building an ongoing narrative that resonates with ambition and life-changing opportunity, storytelling could be the most powerful tool you can have when it comes to standing out from the crowd.

International Franchising

As you may know, Farrah Rose, our Head of International Franchising, spends a significant amount of time traveling the globe, connecting with local franchise markets in dozens of countries. This constant exposure allows her to spot emerging trends early, and one of the most notable shifts in the past year is the growing interest from UK brands in international expansion. After years of economic stagnation, franchising is increasingly seen as the best route to drive growth, even for brands that never considered it before.

Interestingly, we're also seeing traffic coming the other way: more and more international brands are looking to enter the UK market. At first glance, these two bits of news might seem contradictory, but Farrah sees it as a sign that forward-thinking brands are embracing bolder, more global strategies to fuel their growth. The methods for successful international franchising are evolving, but when done right, it’s more than just a growth strategy — it’s a game-changer.

Franchise Operations & Support

When it comes to making sure you franchise network is performing at its best, it’s only natural to focus on those at the front and back of the pack: encouraging your star franchisees, and putting a rocket under poor performers.

However, there is a 3rd group which could be holding you back more than you think: the “comfort-zoners”. Those who are just getting by but really not making anywhere near the most of their territories. Our FOSS team has come up with a unique strategy to help you deal with them and boost your network’s performance, all without conflict or the need for legal action.

Software Solutions

You’ve probably already heard about Ziik, the software package we partnered with last year. It’s making a huge splash on the franchise scene. However, it was always only ever going to be the first of many software packages we were planning to add to our repertoire.

Over the last few months, the two Alans from our Digital team have been hard at work meeting with new providers and have managed to secure some preferential deals on some fantastic platforms for everything from franchise comms to marketing suites. Every single one has been carefully road tested and curated by our team to make sure they’re not just fit for purpose, but have the power to totally transform how any franchise operates.

The team is also ready to assist in exploring bespoke solutions or finding the perfect software match for clients' specific needs.

Coming soon…. There’s even more big news on the horizon coming soon with the long awaited launch of our very newest service: Franchise Matchmaking Services! Watch this space…..

You should also keep a keen eye on our social feeds over the next month as we'll be releasing one of our most exciting podcasts yet: a deep dive into the story of Water Babies: From Kitchen Table Idea to Global Success Story!

Anything piqued your interest?

If anything from this email has caught your eye, we’re always more than happy to chat about it further. Whether you're curious about any of the topics mentioned or think The Franchising Centre might be able to support your business, simply schedule a call using the button below. Any one or more of our experts are always ready for an introductory chat — absolutely no sales pitches, just a chance to answer your questions and talk about where you are in your franchising journey.

Get in touch with us today to learn more, by simply clicking the button below.