Just like any growth strategy worth pursuing, it takes careful planning, structure, and ongoing investment of resources. Get it wrong, and you risk taking a huge hit in terms of time, money, and reputation.
So, here are our top 5 tips for getting right based on our work with more than 100+ franchises:
1. Prove, Plan, and Systemise the Concept
You’ve already got a great business model, or you wouldn’t even be considering this next step, but how easily can it be replicated by others? Is it setup in a way that it will work anywhere? Test your model carefully, and think about how you can refine it and turn your processes into repeatable systems that others can follow with confidence.
2. Formalise the Legal & Operational Framework
Franchising requires robust agreements, compliance with relevant laws, and clear operational standards. Getting this right protects both your business and your franchisees, and makes sure everyone understands their roles and responsibilities. A “cut-and-paste” downloadable template won’t cut it, and could leave you open to unexpected risk.
3. Target and Recruit the Ideal Partner Profile
You don’t want just anyone to be your partner. They have to be someone with the right skills, of course, but also someone who shares your values and vision. Someone you can really trust to deliver on the potential of your franchise. Spend time defining the characteristic of your ideal franchisee, and then design recruitment processes and marketing content which can attract them.
4. Build the Right Infrastructure
You should start planning early on how you intend to scale the business as new partners join. Not just your supply lines and products, but also the systems you have in place to communicate with, and support, your franchisees. Make sure you have good training in place, and consider new technology for marketing and reporting across multiple locations.
5. Commit to Continuous Relationship Management
Franchising is an ongoing partnership, and one of the biggest draws to prospects is being able to tap into your expertise and experience with the business model. Regular communication, support, and performance monitoring are essential to keep franchisees motivated, aligned, and delivering the standards your brand promises.
This is just an overview, of course, but we hope it has been of some help! There are plenty of other things to consider, such as how you position your content and marketing, how you’ll nurture and qualify leads, how much you will charge etc, but this should give you a structure from which to build a solid roadmap.
Good luck! We hope to welcome you as a fellow Franchisor in 2026!
In the meantime, if you have any questions you’d like to ask about anything we’ve mentioned here, or even some advice on how to implement these action points, please do just ask. We’re always happy to offer some impartial advice on how you can take the next steps on your franchising journey.
Best regards,
Steve Eastaugh
Partner & Director
