The biggest growth area in UK franchising is in the service sector. The provision of marketing support, general administration and invoicing by franchisors is encouraging many individuals to sign up for franchises. Franchises are available for many different kinds of professional services including:
 tax advice;
 legal advice (including will writing);
 estate agency;
 IT, internet, recruitment and marketing consultancy;
 education and training provision;
 professional photography.

Domestic Maintenance Sector Franchises
A multitude of franchises is available for tradesmen supporting the domestic maintenance market. They include:
 home improvements (internal and external, including plumbing, kitchen fitting and furniture repair);
 chimney sweeps;
 driveway repair and replacement;
 mobile motor mechanics and bodywork repairers;
 car cleaning and valeting.

Business Service Franchises
Probably the most popular area for business service franchises is office and industrial cleaning. However, many other franchises are on offer in this sector including gas and electrical appliance testing, portable air conditioner and generator hire, manufacture and installation of signs and billboards, to name just a few.

Retail Franchises
Finally, a surprising number of companies with a presence in the high street offer the opportunity to franchise a retail outlet on their behalf. Well known names offering shop franchises include:
 O2;
 Thresher’s Off Licences;
 Bang & Olufsen;
 Cash Generator;
 Apollo Blinds;
 Cartridge World;
 Snappy Snaps.

Franchises are available for the provision of an incredible range of goods and services.

Summary
 Although fast food outlets have led the way in franchising, many other types of businesses are now available for franchise;
 many independent professional advisors now operate under the franchise umbrella;
 franchises for home and motor maintenance are becoming increasingly popular;
 some well known national companies offer the opportunity to run retail shops via a franchise.