New polling from the British Franchise Association has highlighted some of the most common misconceptions around franchising in the UK, including the belief that franchise businesses are “not local” and that buying a franchise requires significant wealth.
The poll, shared by whichfranchise, asked BFA members what they believe to be the biggest misconception about franchising in the UK today.
The top responses were:
- “It’s not a local business” – 43%
- “You need serious money to start” – 41%
The findings point to an important challenge for the sector: despite franchising being a well-established route into business ownership, many people still misunderstand how the model works.
Franchising as Local Business Ownership
One of the strongest misconceptions is that franchise businesses are not genuinely local.
In reality, many franchise locations are owned and operated by local franchisees, employing local people and serving customers within their own communities.
The franchise model allows local business owners to operate under an established brand while benefiting from training, systems, marketing support and proven operational frameworks.
This combination of local ownership and central support is one of the reasons franchising has become such an effective model for business growth.
The Cost Misconception
The second major misconception identified by the poll is that a person needs “serious money” to start a franchise.
While some franchise opportunities do require significant investment, the market is much broader than many people realise. According to the BFA’s national survey, around 60% of franchisors estimate the initial investment for their franchise opportunities to be less than £50,000.
This suggests franchising can be accessible to a wider range of candidates than is often assumed.
Investment levels vary significantly depending on sector, format and operating model. A full-service restaurant or property-based concept may require a much higher investment than a mobile, home-based or service-led franchise.
Credibility Over Wealth
The findings also highlight an important point for prospective franchisees: capital matters, but it is not the only factor.
Strong franchise systems often look for individuals with the right mindset, work ethic, values and ability to follow a proven model.
For many franchisors, the ideal candidate is not necessarily the person with the largest budget, but the person with the strongest fit for the brand, the right local market understanding and the ability to build a sustainable business.
This is a valuable message for anyone who has dismissed franchising because they assumed it was financially out of reach.
Market Implications
The BFA’s polling shows that franchising still has an education challenge.
If people view franchise businesses as “not local”, they may miss the role these businesses play in local employment, community service and regional economic activity.
If people assume franchising is too expensive, they may overlook lower-investment models that could provide a realistic route into self-employment and business ownership.
For franchisors, this reinforces the importance of clear communication. Recruitment messaging should explain not only what the brand offers, but how the model works, what the investment covers and what kind of person is likely to succeed.
Looking Ahead
Franchising is often misunderstood because it sits between two worlds: it offers the independence of business ownership, but within the structure of an established brand.
That is exactly what makes the model powerful.
As the sector continues to grow, there is an opportunity to challenge outdated perceptions and better communicate the role franchising plays in creating local businesses with national support behind them.
For prospective franchisees, the message is clear: franchising may be more local, more accessible and more varied than many people realise.