Top Franchises in the UK - Find Out More

How do define the top franchises in the UK? Are they the biggest, the most successful, those that have built an instantly recognisable brand? The truth is, the top franchises can be labelled as such for a whole host of reasons.

The best way to determine if a franchise opportunity can be considered one of the best is if it has been shortlisted for a British Franchise Association (bfa) HSBC Franchisor of the Year Award.

This annual event recognises some of the best entrepreneurs and businesses in the UK today. The 2018 list of award winners makes for pretty impressive reading. According to the bfa, here are the top franchises to invest in.

Top 10 franchises

In no particular order, here are the winners of the 2018 franchisor awards:

• McDonald’s

It comes as no surprise that fast food giant McDonald’s won the Gold Award for Franchisor of the Year. This prestigious award was given in recognition of the strong support infrastructure that McDonald’s has in place. All franchisees are given the best possible chance of reaching their full potential and becoming a huge success.

• Agency Express

Winning the Silver Award for Franchisor of the Year was ‘For Sale’ board company Agency Express. This growing company currently has over 114 franchisees up and down the country who all benefit from a comprehensive franchise and support package.

• Driver Hire Nationwide

Coming in with the Bronze Franchisor of the Year Award is Driver Hire. This management franchise has 102 franchisees and has proven time and time again that they are a good investment. Driver Hire specialises in the recruitment of logistics staff, as well as temporary and permanent drivers.

• Stagecoach Performing Arts

The award for Brand Awareness goes to Stagecoach. Through its 30 year history, this performing arts school has demonstrated a commitment to understanding their customers. It was this insight which led to a rebranding exercise in 2015 which was a huge success. Remaining current and fresh has allowed Stagecoach to engage with customers through effective marketing campaigns continually.

• Tutor Doctor

The Innovation award was presented to one of the leading franchises in the education sector. Tutor Doctor has continually proven that they are committed to investing in research and developing the company. Having always excelled at face-to-face tutoring, Tutor Doctor has introduced new technology which has the audio and visual functionality to enable the franchise to offer the same service online, giving customers flexibility and convenience.

• Revive! Auto Innovations

The top franchises to buy not only invest in research and technology but they’re committed to helping their franchisees become the best too. The Franchise Support Award went to Revive! demonstrating their pursuit of exceptional training, coaching and mentoring. As a leading provider of paint repairs in the UK, Revive! franchisees receive an award-winning franchise package and provide a valuable mobile service up and down the country.

Awards are also presented to franchisees. Here are the winners:

• Right at Home (Almas Adam)

The Young Franchisee of the Year Award goes to franchisees under the age of 30 who have built a profitable business and achieved success beyond their years. At the tender age of just 27, Almas Adam has done just this. He has been running his Right at Home franchise in Loughton for three years and now employs 40 people in his care home looking after 60 clients. Almas suffered from shyness as a teenager but winning this award goes to show the power that franchising can have on the confidence of young entrepreneurs.

• Razzamataz Theatre Schools (Hayley Limpkin)

Sometimes life presents us with challenges which can make us stronger. Winner of the Lifestyle Franchisee Award is living proof of this. Hayley had built up a successful business with Razzamataz and had just bought a second franchise when her son fell ill. With her focus on supporting her little one, Hayley made the difficult decision to sell her second business. But through her resilience and hard work, Hayley has been able to grow her original franchise while caring for her little boy, who is now doing well.

• Dyno (Machmade Ltd)

You can only become one of the top franchises if customers buy your products or use your service. For the second year running Dyno-Machmade, was this year’s winner of the Customer Focus Award. The plumbing and heating franchise go above and beyond to provide exceptional customer service which provides a 24 hour a day, 365 days a year emergency call out service to both contract and on-demand customers.

• InXpress (Neil Hatt)

Neil Hatt, a franchisee at InXpress shipping franchise was the proud winner of the Network Contribution Award. Neil has played a vital part in the success of the franchise through the mentoring support that he provides to less experienced franchisees. Neil's influence has been so valuable, that he's now helping to recruit prospective franchisees on behalf of the company.

So there you have it, the top 10 franchises in the UK according to the bfa. Well actually the award ceremony held in June gave out 13 awards to worthy franchise winners, so here are another three top franchises for you to consider:

• We Love Pets

The Emerging Franchisor of the Year Award was presented to We Love Pets. This pet sitting business has created a strong foundation to build a successful and profitable franchise network.

• Costa (Diljit Brar)

Diljit is the owner of an impressive 71 franchises within the Costa Coffee network. Unsurprisingly, Diljit won the Multi-unit Award.

• Razzamataz Theatre Schools (Hayley Limpkin)

A special award was given out on the evening to recognise a franchisee that acts as a role model for the industry. Thanks to the determination and tenacity which led to her winning the Lifestyle Franchisee Award, Hayley was also presented with the People’s Choice Award. A worthy winner indeed.