Franchising Blog
Franchise Insights, advice & Resources
Explore practical articles, expert insights, and the latest thinking from our team of franchise specialists. Whether you’re considering franchising your business, growing an established network, investing in a franchise, or developing as a franchisee, you’ll find advice designed to help you make informed decisions and achieve sustainable growth.
Franchise Advice
Sep
12
2026
Key Franchising Insights: Your Monthly Round-up September 2026
And here we are, just about to launch into the final quarter of 2026! It’s a great time to take stock and look back over the last 9...
Jul
10
2026
Key Franchising Insights: Your Monthly Round-up July 2026
Summer is well and truly here, and while the franchising world rarely slows down in July, we've used the month to write about some of the...
Jun
10
2026
Key Franchising Insights: Your Monthly Round-Up June 2026
Summer is here, and with it comes something of a moment to take stock. We're now well past the halfway point of 2026, and the franchising...
May
20
2026
Key Franchising Insights: Your Monthly Round-up May 2026
Can you believe we’re already coming up to halfway through 2026? We think it’s safe to say that this year hasn’t been what any of us...
Apr
16
2026
Key Franchising Insights: Your Monthly Round-up April 2026
Spring is properly here, and with it comes a real sense of momentum in the franchising world, especially following the big franchising...
Apr
12
2026
Why a fixed price for franchise development should raise more questions than it answers
If you’ve been exploring the idea of franchising your business, chances are you’ve already encountered a firm offering to do it for a set...
Mar
22
2026
Key Franchising Insights: Your Monthly Round-up March 2026
Well, spring is just around the corner and while the weather is still a bit iffy, things are certainly starting to warm up in the...
Mar
03
2026
What if you could skip the hard lessons other franchisors had to learn?
“I wish I’d known then what I know now!” Have you ever said that during your business career? I think we all have at some point. If you’ve...
Feb
28
2026
Free Forum, 11am, 21st April: The Roadmap to Franchising: Where Commercial Strategy Meets Legal Reality
Have you booked yet for the 1st of our Free Franchisor Forums? If not, you can reserve your slot here: The Roadmap to Franchising: Where...
Sep
19
2025
Key Franchising Insights: Your Monthly Round-up September 2025
With our annual summer conference focusing on how we can all best respond to the changing landscape of franchising, we’ve been digging...
Franchise Your Business
Sep
11
2026
Thinking of franchising? Come and find us at the NEC, 2 & 3 October
The National Franchise Exhibition returns to Birmingham’s NEC on 2 & 3 October, and we’ll be there across both days – maybe you’re...
Aug
31
2026
Is franchising still a smart way to grow a business?
You don’t need us to tell you the business world has felt harder these past few years, because you’ll have lived that yourself. You may...
Jul
12
2026
Anyone rethinking their future today could be your first franchisee tomorrow
Right now, thousands of people are gearing up for a well-earned break. Even people who are deeply unhappy in their jobs can put that...
Apr
12
2026
Why a fixed price for franchise development should raise more questions than it answers
If you’ve been exploring the idea of franchising your business, chances are you’ve already encountered a firm offering to do it for a set...
Mar
19
2026
A great place to start your franchising journey or learn how to take the next step
If you’ve been thinking about franchising your business, or even if it’s just a growth option you’re considering, then it’s well worth...
Mar
03
2026
What if you could skip the hard lessons other franchisors had to learn?
“I wish I’d known then what I know now!” Have you ever said that during your business career? I think we all have at some point. If you’ve...
Nov
09
2025
Ready to start franchising? Follow these 5 steps to get it right!
A lot of businesses are drawn to franchising, and for good reason. However, I am sure I don’t need to tell you that it’s not as simple as...
Oct
01
2025
How to get some free expert insights into franchising your business
Were you at the Franchise Show at Birmingham NEC last week? It was a great event if you’re thinking about franchising your business as it...
Mar
21
2025
Will we see you at Excel? Our theme this year: franchising for yourself, but not by yourself!
The biggest franchising show of the year is just around the corner! Of course, I’m talking about the International Franchise Show at...
Recruiting Franchisees
Sep
30
2026
Why franchise recruitment isn’t broken – it’s changed
by Dugan Aylen, CEO, The Franchising Centre As CEO of The Franchising Centre, I have the privilege of working alongside more than 20...
Sep
22
2026
What kind of recruitment specialist can actually help you?
Maybe you've reached the point where you're thinking about bringing in outside help with your franchise recruitment. Perhaps it's slowed...
Sep
03
2026
What if you started with the candidate, not the lead?
Everyone in franchising has been talking about one big thing over the last couple of years: recruitment has become much harder. The same...
Aug
27
2026
Peak recruitment season is here. 5 questions to test whether your systems are up to the job
The next few months are usually the busiest of the year for franchise recruitment. September taps into the post-holiday itch that so many...
Aug
24
2026
More leads than ever – so why are franchisees harder to sign?
Do you feel like Franchise Recruitment is harder than it used to be? If so, you’re not imagining it, and you’re certainly not alone. It’s...
Jul
01
2026
Your best recruitment window of the year is closer than you think
September through to November is the peak season for franchisee recruitment. Every year, without fail, we see the same pattern: new leads...
Jun
24
2026
Are you actually focusing on the right leads? Or just the loudest?
You’ve built a process that captures enquiries, follows up consistently, and keeps prospects moving through your pipeline. So why does it...
May
29
2026
Are your leads actually reading your messages?
You’ve invested real time and effort in getting your messaging right. You’ve done all the right things to ensure it can inform, inspire,...
May
20
2026
You got the franchise enquiries. Now what?
If you were at the International Franchise Show in April – either as an exhibitor, or just working the floor – how do you feel it went?...
Apr
26
2026
Historic leads: hidden gold mine or worthless scrap heap?
If you’ve been running your franchise for a number of years, or recently took over a well-established one and inherited everything that...
Franchise Operations & Support
Sep
26
2026
“I could see the end goal, but I couldn’t see the steps to get there.”
You have built a business that works. You know it inside out, you know exactly where you want to take it, and franchising looks like the...
Aug
20
2026
Problem Franchisees: Tolerate, Terminate, or Mediate?
Is there a franchisee in your network who isn’t doing what they agreed to do? Maybe they’ve stopped using the reporting tool you prescribe...
Jul
16
2026
Want this year’s conference to do more than just fill a day?
Chances are your conference is still ahead of you this autumn, and you're already thinking about the agenda, the messages you want to...
Jun
24
2026
How much of your week is spent growing your franchise rather than simply keeping it running?
I’m guessing a lot less than you would like. Between supporting franchisees, recruiting new ones, managing suppliers, overseeing marketing...
May
08
2026
Free Franchisor Forum: got the legal framework – but how do you use it?
Your franchise agreement is watertight, and you have exactly the legal framework you need to build a thriving franchise where everyone’s...
Apr
14
2026
Removing this barrier today could solve a network performance problem tomorrow
One of the most consistent patterns we see when working with franchise networks of all sizes is this: a promising franchisee candidate...
Mar
18
2026
Introducing TFC Mentor – expert franchise guidance at every stage of your growth
When we talk to experienced franchisors, we always like to ask: Looking back, what’s the one thing you wish you’d had access to from the...
Mar
03
2026
What if you could skip the hard lessons other franchisors had to learn?
“I wish I’d known then what I know now!” Have you ever said that during your business career? I think we all have at some point. If you’ve...
Feb
28
2026
Free Forum, 11am, 21st April: The Roadmap to Franchising: Where Commercial Strategy Meets Legal Reality
Have you booked yet for the 1st of our Free Franchisor Forums? If not, you can reserve your slot here: The Roadmap to Franchising: Where...
Jan
26
2026
Our free Franchisor Forums return for 2026… new dates, new insights, even more expert content
Following the response to our Franchisor Forums last year, we’re pleased to confirm that we’ve planned a new series of sessions for 2026....
Digital Marketing & Software House
Sep
25
2026
Good tech advice usually costs you. Not this time.
Normally, if you want a consultant's expert advice on anything, you need to pay them, of course. Day rate, retainer, whatever the model –...
Jul
17
2026
Built for franchisees – turns out your customers need it too
How confident are you that the people you deal with regularly are getting the information they need, when they need it? Not just your team...
Jun
28
2026
Six-figure functionality. Three-figure price tag.
One of the things I love about running the TFC Software House is the moment when something lands on my desk and I think “Yes, that’s it....
May
19
2026
Your new AI PA. Everything falling between the cracks of your business – fixed
Missed revenue opportunities. Projects your team are running that nobody’s reporting back on. Deals going cold while you sit through...
Apr
27
2026
The question everyone asked at ExCel: what does good business tech really look like in 2026?
I think about software and digital tools all the time, so I always naturally think it’s the most important thing in the world. However,...
Mar
21
2026
The tech landscape keeps moving. Here’s how TFC Software House can help you keep up!
One of the things I genuinely enjoy most about my role at The Franchising Centre is the ongoing process of finding, testing, and curating...
Mar
02
2026
Why we’re more confident than ever about everything Ziik can do for franchisors
We’ve just got back from Ziik HQ in Copenhagen and it was our most informative visit yet. We have made the journey to Denmark a few times...
Jan
16
2026
Skip the hype and go straight to tech solutions that actually deliver
Look, we get it – every week there’s a new “game-changing” platform. Another AI tool that promises to revolutionise everything. More...
Nov
26
2025
Still time to get in on that FREE tech audit!
If you were lucky enough to catch some of the key speakers at November’s bfa conference, you’ll know tech is a huge talking point right...
Oct
15
2025
Free tech audit to help you find solutions which drive your growth in 2026
Between sneaking a few early mince pies and thinking about next year, November’s usually when I start jotting down my “wish list” for...
International Franchising
Sep
10
2026
Meet the newest voice on our international team – and read his first piece
You’re used to hearing from me about international franchising — the emails, the webinars, the meetups and events. None of that is going...
Aug
27
2026
Good franchising has very few shortcuts. International franchising has even fewer
Twelve months working across borders taught me the fundamentals don’t change – they just become far less forgiving. I’ve worked in...
May
17
2026
What FPI Lisbon taught me about the future of International Franchising
The recent Franchise Pool International forum in Lisbon was one of those events which really sticks with you. Sitting in a room full of...
Mar
20
2026
Thinking about international franchising? Let’s talk at Excel
Will you be at The International Franchise Show at ExCel on April 17th and 18th? It’s definitely one of the best events in the franchising...
Feb
07
2026
FPI Lisbon 2026: 3 days that could transform your European growth strategy
With everything happening right now – rising costs, economic uncertainty, shifting political landscapes – many franchisors are looking for...
Jan
26
2026
The key first step behind why some franchises fail overseas while others thrive
Ever heard of a franchise failing in their overseas expansion because they had too good a knowledge of their target market? Or ever been...
Nov
26
2025
Global investors are snapping up British brands – is 2026 your year to go international?
While some sectors of the economy have been flourishing in 2025, overall domestic growth in the UK has been pretty sluggish for a while...
Oct
15
2025
Are these the trends that will shape the future of international franchising?
In my last email, I shared how powerful connections can be when it comes to success in international franchising, and after 40+ years in...
Jul
21
2025
The #1 key to International Franchising success you might be overlooking
When people ask me what the single biggest factor is for succeeding in international franchising, they usually expect me to talk about a...
Jun
30
2025
If you only ever watch one international franchising story – make sure it’s this one
You know me… I love talking about anything and everything to do with International Franchising, and why wouldn’t I? It’s an incredibly...
Franchise Content & Storytelling
Aug
22
2026
Is your most valuable recruitment resource pulling its weight?
Successful franchise recruitment depends on a lot of moving parts – lead generation, follow-up, your prospectus, Discovery Days, and the...
Jul
17
2026
How do you actually know how much content you need?
Not in the abstract - everyone knows they should be blogging, emailing their database, showing up on social, etc. I mean specifically: how...
Jun
02
2026
AI or human copywriter? Asking the wrong question is costing you conversions
Do you use AI to write content? I do. That might seem a bit odd coming from an experienced copywriter and content specialist – a bit like...
Apr
25
2026
You’ve been reading my work for years. So, why don’t I do the same for you?
Most of the time, when someone wants to sell you a copywriting and content service, they’ll tell you what great writing can do for your...
Mar
23
2026
When content gets stale, your leads go cold
When did you last read your own recruitment content through the eyes of a prospect? Not to check for typos or update a stat, but to...
Jan
26
2026
Polished franchise stories impress. Honest ones convert.
You want your prospects to be impressed by your franchise. Which is why the most successful franchises lead with their success stories,...
Dec
08
2025
Great content isn’t about taking risks – it’s about reducing them
You’re competing against 1000+ other franchises in the UK, probably at least a few dozen within your own niche sector. You need to be bold...
Sep
15
2025
5 questions to help you give prospects the answers they need to make a decision
Have you got the impression the way prospective franchisees engage with your brand has changed? Maybe they’re taking a lot longer to make...
Jul
21
2025
55% of your audience aren’t reading your posts. Here’s why…
Have you been using AI to write your content, especially social media posts? I’m sure you’ve at least tried it, and why not? It’s an...
Jun
30
2025
Why people should always be at the heart of your franchise’s content strategy
When franchisors think about what sets their brand apart, the conversation often starts with tangible assets: a proven business model,...
Investing in a Franchise
Aug
10
2026
Back to the same old grind? Or are you finally done?
Well, there it is – summer’s coming to an end, the holidays are over, and it’s back to work in earnest. The same old office, or the same...
Jun
20
2026
What’s your reason for looking at franchising?
“I just totally had enough, to be honest. I’m not going to miss working myself into the ground while someone else keeps all the profits....
May
19
2026
Home is where the money is: a guide to choosing a home improvement franchise in the UK
With 30 million houses in the UK, and hundreds of thousands more being built every year, there will never be a shortage of homeowners...
Executive Recruitment
Sep
28
2026
Is your head office team ready for 2027?
We all know January is the time when people start to take action over their careers, perhaps finally making a change they've been thinking...
Jul
03
2026
Finding the right executive for your franchise just got easier
Until very recently, there was one name in franchising that franchisors turned to when they needed to fill a senior role and couldn’t...
Jul
17
2025
Who’s covering for your key people this summer, and at what cost?
Are you running around putting out fires and covering for your key staff this summer when you should be focusing your time on growing your...
Jun
30
2025
What happens if someone from your leadership team hands in their notice after summer?
As a franchisor, you’ll be well aware of the “summer effect” on franchisee recruitment. During July and August themselves, things can seem...
Apr
28
2025
Is that great candidate you spotted for your team too good to be true?
Spring always brings change, and this year is no exception when it comes to the job market. In fact, I’d say there’s more movement among...
Mar
21
2025
Struggling to find the right candidate to fit your business and help drive it forward? There is a better way
I’ve worked in executive recruitment for the franchising industry for more years than I care to count, but I can honestly say that...
Feb
27
2025
Dread becoming a victim of the annual “Executive Exodus”? Finding the right candidates could be easier than you think!
Did you know that more than a third (36%) of UK Business Leaders, C-level Execs, and Board Directors were considering a change of role in...
Jan
27
2025
Are you prepared for sudden changes to your executive team?
It’s already nearly the end of January so I imagine you are already back up to speed after the break and already going great guns on your...
Dec
03
2024
What do Ruth Brown, Home Instead, and Shirley Hughes from TFC have in common?
I feel deeply privileged to have been involved with so many great franchises over the years, helping them build their teams, and also...
Oct
17
2024
Still time to take part in franchising’s biggest salary survey!
Just click the link below to go straight through: The Franchising Centre Salary Survey It only takes a few minutes, and is completely...
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