Franchising, as we know it today, started as far back as 1850 when the Singer Sewing Machine Company contracted independent traders to sell and maintain their machines. Today, franchising is commonly associated with the fast food restaurant sector, which includes many household names that originally started in the USA, including McDonalds, Burger King, KFC, Pizza Hut, Subway and Starbucks.

The price of a McDonalds franchise in the UK is usually between £150,000 and £500,000, depending on the projected turnover of the outlet. However, lower cost franchised businesses now offer a wide range of goods and services going way beyond the ubiquitous hamburger.

Food Franchises
Although it seems unlikely that any additional large hamburger restaurant chains will be launched in the UK, the existing franchisors are still jockeying for position amongst themselves, while also attempting to compete with franchised coffee outlets such as Starbucks and Coffee Republic and sandwich providers like Subway and La Baguette Du Jour.

Franchised pizza delivery is also booming, with Domino’s, Perfect Pizza and Pizza Hut all competing with independents in the home delivery market. However, food delivery franchises are not restricted to fast food; frozen ready meals, sandwiches, organic food and even pet food delivery franchises are becoming increasingly popular.