BFA plans launch of toolkit as members back franchising education

The BFA recently used its ‘Question of the Month’ poll to ask members: ‘Should franchising be taught as part of formal business education?’

The franchisors, franchisees, advisors and suppliers who responded said:

Yes; at school and university – 47.5%
Yes; at university – 35%
Yes; at school – 13.3%
No; it’s better learned about through industry experience – 4.2%

British Franchise Survey

According to the 2024 British Franchise Survey sponsored by NIC Local, franchising, a relatively unknown and often misunderstood sector, contributes £19.1 billion to the UK economy, delivered through over 1,000 franchise systems, run by nearly 50,500 franchisees and gives employment to over 770,000 people. Franchising also has a less than 6% commercial failure rate, compared with 50% of all startups failing within the first three years of trading.

Growth inhibitor

The survey also revealed that the average age of a new franchisee is 48yrs old and, with the number of franchisees under the age of 30 sitting at approximately 7%, these two things are recognised growth inhibitors to the sector.

Insight

The most recent Question of the Month poll, carried out in June 2026, received 63 voluntary comments, in almost wholehearted support of introducing the subject of franchising to young people in an educational setting.

Suhail Rehman, founder and Director at SUR Group, who turns over an eight figure sum annually as a franchisee for multiple franchising brands, said: “Franchising was the best career advice I never had at school! I came to franchising in my 40s. If I’d known about it earlier, I would have come in much earlier. I now tell my kids about it and will not have them enter business any other way. I recently shared my franchising journey with a class of 3rd year university students. The lecturer told me the feedback was incredible and many had stated it was the most interesting and informative guest lecture they had ever had. The interest certainly exists once we can share the word about franchising!”

Liam Hobbs, the owner of More Than Loft Ladders said: “At 22 I set up my own business – I was very good at what I was doing, but not so good at running a business. After 18 months I had a tax bill I couldn’t pay. Had I been educated about franchising, I firmly believe I’d have taken the franchise route, with the support it offers.”

Catrina Newman, Franchise Relationship Manager at Goldstein Legal, said: “I think it should be part of the curriculum on business studies at Year 10 and 11 and again at university or further education. However, so that all children get to know about franchising, whether or not they do business studies, it should also be covered under the general careers’ session in 6th form.”

Expert opinion

Even those with experience in teaching agree it is time for change.

Ben Smith, a Home Instead franchisee from St Helens, said: “After being a business teacher and teaching the BTEC business qualification at a Secondary school, it is really far behind and doesn’t actually teach you many business skills, or how to run a business.”

In response to the votes and comments from members on the Question of the Month poll, the BFA has decided to launch a brand new initiative to address the problem.

CEO of the BFA, Pip Wilkins QFP said: “It is clear that something needs to be done and we cannot wait for the curriculum to include franchising, so we must create something ourselves. In an age where young people are hugely entrepreneurial, it’s important that they know there is a safer way to successful self-employment.  Therefore, I’m delighted to announce today that we will be launching our own educational resources toolkit.”

New initiative

Pip added: “The kit we’ll develop will be for our members to take into local schools, colleges and universities, to deliver age appropriate information sessions. It will contain lesson structures, case study videos from franchisees, fact sheets, quizzes, posters and stickers, everything needed to put franchising on young people’s radars, at an early age. We are excited to roll this out to our members as soon as possible and experience an increase of awareness of franchising amongst young people across the United Kingdom as a result.”