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ALL HAILTHE COMEBACK KINGS With international franchise giants likeWendy’s, Little Caesars, and Häagen-Dazs back in the UK, there’s a golden chance for savvy franchisees to hop on a global success train BY CHARLOTTE SMITH ranchising contributes more than £17 billion a year to our nation’s economy, via 900+ franchise systems and a sprawling network of 48,000 outlets employing a workforce of over 700,000 individuals. These numbers keep rising, highlighting just how big a role franchised outlets play in shaping our town centres, retail hubs, and industrial parks, particularly when those brands come with a 24-karat global status. Think about it – every time you stroll past a McDonald’s, hit the gym at Anytime Fitness, or grab your daily brew at Costa, you’re witnessing the impact of these global names on millions of people’s daily lives. They don’t just draw in crowds; they create jobs and keep local economies buzzing. And let’s not forget the democratisation of business ownership that comes with F franchising a global brand. It’s like giving a small-town player a shot at the Premier League. “When it comes to choosing a franchise, one simply can’t overlook the allure of a worldwide presence,” explains Phil Mowat, managing consultant at Ashton Franchise Consulting. “There’s a certain je ne sais quoi that comes with aligning yourself with a huge international name. These brands have already established trust, admiration, and a loyal following on a world stage, which can work wonders in helping to build credibility and trust in your local market.” Whywould global brands ever leave? Successful international expansion into the UK market demands meticulous planning, strategic foresight, and a keen understanding of local nuances on the franchisor’s part – and even global brands can get it wrong. When the North American electronics retailer Best Buy teamed up with Carphone Warehouse its ambitious expansion plans in the UK failed to ignite, and US consumers gave British supermarket giant Tesco the heave-ho when it tried to export its winning formula to America. Franchise giants like Wendy’s, Little Caesars, Wimpy, and Chick-fil-A have also previously bowed out of the UK due to market pressures, which could be seen as a potential red flag for British investors. However, these brands have all been confident in making a return, and a thriving QSR landscape combined with accumulated experience could enable them to avoid an uncomfortable attack of deja vu. For franchisees with ambition to scale, these returning brands are worth serious consideration. WHAT-FRANCHISE.COM 57 INS IGHT