Check the franchisor as carefully as a lender will. Its strength affects your income, your support and how lenders see your application.
A practical checklist
- Companies House: look up the franchisor's company, its filed accounts, its directors and any charges.
- Talk to existing franchisees, including ones you find yourself, not only those head office suggests. Ask about income, support and the real total of fees.
- Ask about franchisees who left, and why.
- Test the forecast against what franchisees tell you. See Does the franchisor's forecast replace my own business plan?.
- Check the track record: how long the brand has franchised, and how many units it has.
- bfa membership: check the bfa's member directory. See Does bfa membership matter to lenders?.
- Disputes: ask about any legal disputes with franchisees.
Signs to be careful
- pressure to sign quickly
- earnings claims with no evidence behind them
- reluctance to let you speak to franchisees freely
- an agreement you're told you can't have reviewed
Get the agreement reviewed
Use a franchise-specialist solicitor. See What should I check in a franchise agreement?.
Last reviewed: 8 October 2026