Yes, and it's common. Buying an established franchise, often called a resale, is a business purchase. Lenders look at the business's trading accounts and the price, as well as at you. The franchisor usually needs to approve the transfer to you.
Why resales can be easier to fund
The business has a trading history, so lenders can assess real accounts rather than forecasts alone.
The routes
- Acquisition finance, typically £25,000 to £10 million, sized on the business's profits. See How is buying a business usually funded?
- A Start Up Loan, if you're eligible and haven't personally owned the franchise for more than 60 months. See Can I use a Start Up Loan for a franchise?.
What an adviser will ask about
- the asking price and what it includes
- recent accounts for the business
- franchisor approval and any transfer fee. See Does the franchisor have to approve my franchise purchase?.
Your contribution
You'll usually need to put in some of your own money, and the seller may agree to be paid part of the price later. See How much deposit do I need to buy a business?
Last reviewed: 8 October 2026