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13 WHAT-FRANCHISE.COM Ins ights GLOBAL OPPORTUNITIES The UK is often the first choice for international brands looking to expand into Europe. There’s no legislation, which makes expansion here easier, and we’re English-speaking, eliminating many language barriers. A few years ago, the BFA established an international membership category to accredit brands looking to enter the UK market based on their in-country experience. We look for a clear plan for expansion in the UK. They must have done their research to ensure their brand is transferable and be getting the right advice to adapt their concept for the UK. If you’re considering franchising with a new international brand, you need to understand how it will fit in the UK. With any franchise – whether homegrown or international – you need to make sure it works before scaling. What research have they done on the UK market? Have they run a pilot operation? Are they consulting BFA advisors and UK lawyers who understand how the UK market works? The jurisdiction for any legal issues must be registered in the UK. This is crucial from a franchisee’s perspective. MULTI-BRAND EXPANSIONS As the market matures, we’re seeing increases in the number of multi-brand franchisees. This has traditionally been seen in the fast-food sector, where you might find someone with multiple KFCs, Costa Coffees, and gyms. But now, we’re starting to see multi-brand growth in other sectors, with operators expanding beyond their usual scope into areas like domiciliary care, storage, or tutoring. This trend will continue to gather momentum.