What Franchise Issue 21.1

Trailblazers of British franchising he BFA HSBC UK British Franchise Awards are the undisputed benchmark of excellence in the UK franchising industry. Known as the ‘Oscars of franchising’, they bring together the finest franchisors and franchisees in the industry, to celebrate the achievements of those who have pushed the envelope in an industry that, according to the latest research sponsored by NIC Local, contributes £19.1 billion to the UK economy through over 1,000 franchise systems and more than 50,000 franchised units. PipWilkins QFP, CEO of the BFA (British Franchise Association), who will be celebrating 10 years as the CEO in 2026, said: “We have been running these awards for 36 years now and they are, without doubt, a barometer of the success of the UK franchise industry. The names of our finalists and the winners on the night should stand as a reference point and example for anyone researching our industry, as the best of the best.” Founded in 1977, the BFA is the oldest and largest franchise association in the UK, setting the standards for ethical, professional franchising in a proudly unregulated sector. MEET THE MOVERS This year’s finalists include everyone from global household names to small but mighty start-up franchisees, taking their first steps into business. Awards categories are divided into two, those for franchisors and for franchisees. For the uninitiated, a franchisor is the owner of the main company and can be any size, from relatively young with a fairly small network, to a behemoth brand with hundreds of franchisees. And don’t be fooled into thinking franchisees, who buy a franchisor’s territories, are all small ‘owner operated’ businesses – far from it. Multi-unit franchising (where a franchisee owns multiple territories) is a growth area, with some franchisees turning over tens of millions of pounds each year. All are represented in the awards finalists this year. FINALIST INSIGHTS In total, there were 135 entries from 76 brands in the 2025 awards. This resulted in 30 franchisor and 26 franchisee finalists. 37% of these brands did not enter last year, debunking the myth that ‘the same brands win every year’. Some clear trends are emerging from this year’s finalists. Over half of all brands (57.7%) are from the Personal Services sector, showcasing the strength of domiciliary care, health, education and lifestyle brands. This fits with the findings from the 2024 BFA survey, which showed a 53% growth in the Personal Services sector from 2018 to 2024. Other key sectors represented in 2025’s finalists include Property Services (13.5%), Business & Communication Services (11.5%), Hotel & Catering (7.7%), Transport & Vehicle Services (5.8%) and Store Retailing (3.8%). 24% of finalists are nominated in multiple categories, with one brand receiving five nominations. The 2025 finalists show that Personal Services brands are continuing to set the pace in UK franchising, with strong representation in people- driven and culture-focused categories, while Property and Hospitality brands are making their mark in emerging and multi-brand areas. Without going into details (award entries are confidential after all!), this year’s entries are packed full of innovation and ideas, culture and purpose, support and growth, and the all-important focus on customers. The 2025 finalists have all stepped up to the proverbial plate to catch the judges’ eye and make it onto this prestigious list. T This year’s BFA HSBC UK British Franchise Awards’ finalists showcase the innovation, culture and customer focus that make UK franchising a £19.1bn powerhouse 51 WHAT-FRANCHISE.COM BFA