Franchises For New Entrepreneurs

Low initial start up, well-established businesses and flexible work life balance combined - these are the best franchise business opportunities, if you're new to business ownership. Browse the best franchises for new entrepreneurs.

Start Your Journey to Self Employment

Are you looking to get into business ownership, but not sure where to start? There are a fair few numbers of ways to get into business ownership. You could start a business from scratch, or buy an existing business. Or you could consider franchising.

There are over a thousand franchises in the UK, with more businesses becoming franchises, and more international brands entering the UK market every week. And while you've got many big name franchise brands such as the likes of McDonalds, KFC and Wiltshire Farm Foods, not all franchise opportunities are best matched with high worth investors.

There are many franchises in the UK, some small, others already well established networks, that are perfect fits for new entrepreneurs. People looking to take their first steps into business ownership - but with fewer risks.

Why not just start up a business alone?

You can. Starting up a business yourself is a great choice for someone who wants to have full control over the brand, its direction and identity. But unless you're entering an extremely niche and untapped market, you risk further diluting the market and getting lost in the crowd of other businesses. Take oven cleaning for example. Many individuals launch their own oven cleaning services, dominating local community groups such as Facebook groups and Next Door, making it difficult for new entrepreneurs to establish themselves. Then you've got the challenge of finding partners, wholesalers and traders who will work with you to supply you with equipment, at a price that is better than what the customer could buy themself.

How do franchises build on this?

Putting aside for one moment the fact that franchising provides you with an established brand, proven business model and full guidance, training and support, you also benefit from other powers too:

Access to partners and suppliers

The franchisor may have contacts in various sectors to ensure the smooth setup and launch of your business. Partners that work within van conversion - for example mobile coffee van franchises. Vehicle livery application - who are you going to get to not only design but apply the vehicle livery if your business requires one? That's all sorted with franchising - at a minimal cost integrated within the franchise fee. Equipment, suppliers, media, the franchisor will have established a chain of partners for you to work with as part of the group purchasing power a franchise offers.

A business that works

Franchises are designed to be scalable and seamlessly launchable. In a manner, it should be possible to even launch multiple franchise units at the same time. Franchises work. They are a tried and tested system, many of which are backed by the British Franchise Association.

The business is yours

Franchising isn't employment, its business ownership. Your investment gets the business off the ground, you may be using the franchisors brand and license to trade, but the business is very much yours. You'll set up as a limited company usually, specifically for your business. It's business ownership, using an established brand under license.

The business is going to be a lot more recognisable if its a brand that's been heard of. You'll stand out a lot better regardless of what your competition do on Facebook and Next Door, because as part of a group marketing fund, franchisors usually carry out national advertising to increase business for their entire franchise network.

Franchises Ideal for New Business Owners

There are many businesses that are ideal for people looking to get into business ownership. If you've got no business ownership experience, that's fine. Many franchises can be run "owner operated", meaning you can cut your workload by running a business by yourself; no need to manage staff, minimising overheads.

Some of the best types of franchises to start with include:

• Van based franchises - no need to worry yourself with premises and location. Van franchises offer the flexibility you'll want. Pet food supplier, oven cleaning, window cleaning, meals on wheels, there are many to list.
• Home based franchises - like pet sitting, dog walking, internet based franchises. These usually have very low investment because of their minimal startup requirements.
• Vending tower franchises - often ideal for those looking to get into franchising because of their scalability. Tubz is a fantastic example, enabling investors to start off with a small investment package and grow their business at their own pace.

Get into business ownership with the ideal first choice

Take a look around Franchise Planet for more choice when it comes to finding your perfect franchise. You should also consider checking out the British Franchise Association, who have decades of experience and are built by franchise consultants and their member franchises who uphold the ethical standards within franchising.

If you're looking to get into business ownership, why not start with franchising? Once you've built up your experience, you can later sell the business as a "franchise resale", and either move to more complex franchise opportunities or go it alone and take the challenge of starting up a business yourself, using the experience you've gained.

It's your choice, which direction will you take first?