The sector has now grown a staggering 44% in 10 years, taking the total number of franchise outlets up to nearly 34,000 and the number of systems up to 781. As the sector grows in size so does the strength of its success, with an impressive 93% making a profit. Turnover per franchising unit is up to £323,000. Over the last decade the increase in turnover for the industry as a whole has rocketed by 83%.

The growth in the sector through the number of systems and units operating in the UK today means that franchising now employs 371,600 people. Dan Archer of the BFA said, “The franchise sector remains a significant employer and last year alone created 7,000 more jobs in the UK. Whilst we continue to hear about redundancies in the media, it seems that franchising is not only helping people realise their dream of self-employment but also has an impact on job creation, helping to plug the gap created by corporate redundancies.

Archer added, “The growth in turnover by £500 million is testimony to the position of franchising as an important contributor to the UK economy. There are more people expanding their business through franchising, more starting their own business through franchising and more people employed because of franchising, signifying the impact the sector has both at a national and local level.”