Adding a unit, a territory, or several units builds on the franchise you already run. Your current trading helps show lenders what you can manage, which usually makes the case stronger than a first franchise.
What an adviser will ask about
- how your existing units are performing
- the cost of the new unit or units
- how the expansion will be managed, including who'll run each site
The routes
- Acquisition and related finance, typically £25,000 to £10 million, sized on the combined business.
- Asset finance for vans or equipment for the new unit. See What is asset finance?
- A Start Up Loan, if your business has been trading for 60 months or less and meets every other eligibility criterion.
Don't stretch the first unit
Make sure the expansion doesn't drain the cash your existing unit needs. Lenders look at the whole business, not just the new site.
Buying an existing unit from another franchisee
That's a business purchase too. See Can I get finance to buy an existing franchise? and Does the franchisor have to approve my franchise purchase?.
Last reviewed: 8 October 2026