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What are the most profitable franchises in the UK? 2026
Franchising contributes £19.1 billion to the UK economy and the average franchised unit turns over around £400,000, according to the bfa NatWest Franchise Survey. Almost nine franchised units in ten report being profitable. The question for anyone choosing a network…
Sole trader or limited company: which to choose in the UK 2026
The rule of thumb that incorporating saves tax has been overtaken. The dividend allowance is now £500, dividend tax rates rose by two percentage points in April 2026, and employer National Insurance starts at £5,000. Where the tipping point once…
How to start a pet sitting business in the UK 2026
A pet sitter holds the keys to an empty house, often for a week at a time, with no licence, no register, and no mandatory vetting behind them. The work does not normally qualify for anything above a basic criminal…
How to open a car garage in the UK 2026
Anyone can repair cars for money in the UK. No licence, no registration, no qualification is required to open a garage and charge for the work. Testing those same cars is different: an MOT may only be carried out at…
How to open a Superdrug shop in the UK: is it possible, who owns it and expansion plans
Superdrug trades from close to 900 shops in the UK and Ireland and reported turnover of £1.63 billion for 2024. It publishes no franchise offer. Every shop belongs to the company, which is itself owned by A.S. Watson and ultimately…
How to open a driving school in the UK 2026
It is illegal to charge for driving lessons in the UK without being on the approved driving instructor register. The registration belongs to the person, not the business, lasts four years and cannot be sold or passed on. Whatever else…
How to write a business plan in the UK 2026
The UK has no franchise disclosure document. No statute requires a franchisor to hand over audited figures, and no regulator checks what it does hand over. That makes the business plan the only place where the numbers are tested before…
How to open an estate agency in the UK 2026
No licence and no qualification are needed to trade as an estate agent in England. Three registrations are compulsory all the same, and trading without the anti-money laundering one is a criminal offence. Cross into Scotland, and the position reverses:…
How to open a dark kitchen in the UK 2026
Dark kitchens make up around 15% of all food retailers on the major delivery platforms in England, according to publicly funded research led by Sheffield Hallam University and the University of Sheffield. That is one food outlet in seven, and…
How to open a bubble tea shop in the UK 2026
The VAT rate on a cold bubble tea sold to take away has never been settled. It is a beverage, and beverages are standard-rated, unless the drink counts as tea, in which case it is zero-rated. The Association of Taxation…
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A selection of articles prepared by our experts
The franchise contract: Key clauses every franchisee must know
A franchise contract is the backbone of any franchising relationship, defining the terms, rights, and obligations of both the franchisor and the franchisee.
Am I the Right Candidate to Open a Franchise?
How do you know if franchising is the right fit for you? Success requires more than just enthusiasm; it demands specific skills, mindset, and preparation.
