What Franchise Issue 21.1

Welcome to this issue of What Franchise , where we shine a spotlight on one of the most important parts of any franchise journey: finance.Whether you’re just starting out or looking to expand, getting the numbers right is the key to building a sustainable business. On page 28, we’ve gathered expert financial advice to help you get your franchise dream off the ground, from funding options to practical tips on planning for growth. If you’re looking for inspiration to kickstart your franchise portfolio, or simply quit the rat race and start working for yourself, but not by yourself , don’t miss our power list of 40 low-cost franchise opportunities starting on page 15 – living proof that you don’t need a huge upfront investment to begin your journey in franchising. And for those keen to get a head start, we explore why buying a proven resale, rather than starting a franchise from scratch, could be your fast track to profit on page 35. This issue also looks ahead to Retail’s Best Convenience, Food & Franchise taking place in November, which promises to be a new highlight in the calendar and an event we’re proud to support. Starting on page 62, we investigate the exciting opportunities emerging in convenience retail franchising, speaking with some of the sector’s leading voices about where the growth lies and what investors should be paying attention to. As you see from the stories, franchising can be a pathway to profit in a sector looking to adapt to rapidly-changing consumer needs. As always, we bring you inspiring stories from across the franchise world. TheWalking CEO, Amrit Dhaliwal, head ofWalfinch, shares how he leads his team through times of crisis on page 12 – a timely reminder of the power of resilient leadership. On page 9, PlatinumWave’s founder Suzie McCafferty makes a compelling case for why younger investors should see franchising as a serious route into entrepreneurship. And on page 57, we’ve profiled three remarkable franchisees who’ve turned passion into profit, showing the very best of what this business model can deliver. No matter what stage you’re at – exploring, investing, or expanding – finance underpins every decision you make. My hope is that this issue leaves you better informed, more confident, and inspired by the many different paths franchising can offer. Happy reading, and here’s to your success! Financing your dream NEXT ISSUE ON SALE: DEC 2025 The views in this magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher. Every effort is made to ensure the veracity and integrity of the companies, persons, products and services mentioned in this publication, and the details given are believed to be accurate at the time of going to press. However, no responsibility or liability whatsoever can be accepted for any consequence or repercussion of responding to information or advice given or inferred. Copyright Artichoke Media Ltd. EDITOR Charlotte Smith charlotte.smith@artichokehq.com HEAD OF FRANCHISE DEVELOPMENT Rachael Wenham 44 (0) 1323 471911 rachael.wenham@artichokehq.com SENIORACCOUNTMANAGER Kelly Parris 44 (0) 1206 505902 kelly.parris@artichokehq.com ART EDITORS Richard Allen Sarah Barajas ACCOUNTS Artichokemedialtd@integral2.com PUBLISHERS Joe Carter, Sam Reubin, Richard Stebbing PUBLISHED BY Artichoke Media Ltd Charlotte Smith Editor, What Franchise charlotte.smith@artichokehq.com Industry Contribution Winner British Franchise Association Professional Affiliate and Supplier Awards 2019 advisor @whatfranchise 3 WHAT-FRANCHISE.COM Edi tor ’ s Letter