From The Franchise Exhibitions to multi-unit business owner
Published: 27 May 2026
For Rab Selvaratnam, a visit to The British & International Franchise Exhibition at Olympia, London, in 2019 proved to be the spark of inspiration he needed to build a multi-unit business with Mathnasium.
At the time, Rab was working in corporate strategy at a major bank, enjoying a successful career in retail and wealth management. But while he was doing well professionally, he knew he wanted something more.
“I really wanted to pull on my entrepreneurial spirit and work on something I could truly own for myself,” he explains. “I was looking to pursue a career that would offer me more than renumeration but, as a chartered accountant, I don’t have a huge appetite for risk. I was unsure about starting a brand from scratch, so I started exploring franchising.”
Arriving with one plan, leaving with another
Like many visitors to The Franchise Exhibitions, Rab arrived with some specific sectors in mind.
“I wanted to focus my research on sectors that would have long-term demand and resilience in the age of AI or economic uncertainty, so I had identified nurseries and possibly care homes as areas of interest.”
But a conversation with Mathnasium changed that trajectory. “I literally just stumbled across them at the event. At the time, they were still relatively new to the UK so I learnt a lot about the concept during my conversation with the team.”
“What really sold it to me was the fact it was doing so well in America. I’ve always been interested in companies that have proven themselves in the States and then expand into the UK because there’s a lot of similarities in the markets. Brands that have done well in New York or LA, for example, tend to do pretty well in London too.”
That combination of an established international model and early-stage UK opportunity immediately appealed. “I saw huge potential.”
Discovering the value of franchise support
While he was comfortable analysing business models and performing financial due diligence, it was only through conversations at the exhibition that he began to understand the operational support available within a franchise system.
“We talked through the CapEx requirements, high-level financials and the basic day-to-day operations of the business, but one of my main takeaways from that conversation was the level of training I could expect.”
“The biggest difference between franchising and starting a business by yourself is that support,” he explains. “You have people on hand who really understand the systems and processes that make the business work to guide you through every step of the way.”
After meeting the team at the exhibition, Rab attended a Discovery Day a few weeks later which gave him the opportunity to ask in-depth questions and stress test the model. Soon after, satisfied it was the right opportunity for him, he handed in his notice and signed his first franchise agreement.
Launching just before lockdown
Rab officially launched his first Mathnasium centre in Harrow in November 2019. Just a few months later, the UK entered lockdown.
For many new business owners, the timing could not have been worse. But for Rab, it reinforced the value of choosing a strong franchise system.
Mathnasium was able to pivot quickly from classroom-based teaching to online delivery, providing franchisees with the systems, training and infrastructure needed to continue operating.
“If I was doing this independently, it would have felt like starting again from scratch,” Rab explains. “But because I had the support, resources and training from Head Office, we were able to adapt quickly.”
While growth naturally slowed during the pandemic, the business remained stable and well-positioned for future expansion.
Scaling into a multi-unit business
Rab always entered franchising with growth in mind. “The goal was always to understand the business really well, figure out the systems and processes, and then scale.”
Since opening his first location, Rab has steadily expanded his portfolio:
2019: Opened Mathnasium, Harrow
2021: Acquired Mathnasium, Ealing
2023: Opened Mathnasium, St Albans
2025: Opened Mathnasium, Watford
He is currently preparing to open a new branch in Harpenden, with additional territory rights already secured.
His strategy has been to build geographically aligned locations that create operational efficiencies across staffing, marketing and management.
“If you keep your locations relatively close, you create economies of scale,” he explains. “You can move staff around, personally support multiple sites and maximise your marketing spend.”
Advice for people considering investing in a franchise
For anyone considering visiting a future Franchise Exhibition, Rab’s advice is simple: stay open-minded.
“If I had only spoken to nursery franchises because that’s what I thought I wanted, that would have been a mistake. Even though Mathnasium quickly became my number one choice, it wasn’t the only business I explored.”
“Only by asking questions, going through different business models in detail and completing your due diligence will you be able to work out what’s right for you personally, your family and your business ambitions.”
Rab also encourages prospective franchisees not to shy away from asking direct financial questions.
“Don’t be a polite Brit!” he says. “Ask what the real numbers look like. Not just projections, but what top-performing and mid-performing franchisees are actually achieving.”
Ready to explore franchising?
Rab’s story is a reminder that you don’t always know where the right opportunity will come from.
Whether you’re actively looking to invest or simply exploring your options, visiting The Franchise Exhibitions gives you the chance to meet brands face-to-face, compare opportunities, and discover what franchise ownership could look like for you.
Find out more about upcoming events and book your free tickets today.
