Compare Franchise Opportunities

How To Compare Franchise Opportunities with Franchise Express

By comparing different business opportunities, you can find the franchises that best fit your interests. Whether your ideal franchise balances investment with potential earnings or focuses on achieving a better work-life balance, this table helps you make a more informed choice.

Using the comparison tool, you can select two or three franchises to compare key statistics and features of each opportunity:

• Select the franchises you’re interested in.
• Review financial requirements, training, and ongoing support for each option.
• Consider lifestyle factors such as part-time operation or home-based opportunities.

The table highlights the franchises that align most closely with your priorities.

Select and Compare Franchises Side By Side

Comparing opportunities side by side makes it easier to see the differences between similar brands. While successful franchises often share many traits, subtle distinctions can have a big impact. Using the table above, you can compare franchise investments and identify the key differences between each brand.

Financials and Investment Overview

While some franchises — particularly home-based or smaller brands — may list a single investment figure with everything included, others break costs down into separate components. In the comparison table above, these are shown as:

• Franchise Licence Fee – The initial cost for access to the brand, training, and support. In some cases, this fee is included within a single franchise investment figure.
• Franchise Investment – Where the licence fee and full package are combined, this represents the total amount required to get the business up and running under the franchise model.
• Working Capital – Launching the business is one stage; sustaining it is another. Some franchises recommend setting aside working capital to support ongoing costs such as wages (where applicable) and marketing until the business reaches breakeven.
• MSF / Royalties – Most franchises charge an ongoing fee, often as a percentage of turnover. This typically contributes to national marketing, brand development, and continued support from the franchisor.
• Breakeven Time – The estimated period required to recover the initial investment. This can vary depending on factors such as territory size and the operator’s involvement.
• Turnover (Years 1–3) – Many franchises publish estimated turnover figures for the first three trading years. As the business grows, these figures may increase, although individual results will vary.

Franchise Lifestyle and Flexibility

Beyond financial considerations, lifestyle fit plays a major role in choosing the right franchise. Different franchise models place different demands on your time, working environment, and day-to-day involvement. The lifestyle indicators in the comparison table help highlight how each opportunity may align with your personal and professional goals.

• Offers Part-Time Running – Some franchises can be operated on a part-time basis, particularly in the early stages or where the business model allows for flexible scheduling. This may suit investors looking to balance a franchise alongside other commitments.
• Home-Based – Home-based franchises typically do not require dedicated premises, allowing operators to work from home. This can reduce overheads and provide greater flexibility, although the suitability will depend on the nature of the service or product offered.
• Owner Operated – While not all franchises explicitly state this, some models are owner-operator focused, while others allow for managed or semi-absentee ownership. Reviewing lifestyle indicators alongside support and staffing requirements can help clarify expectations. Some good examples of owner operated franchises include oven cleaning, B2B and van based businesses.
• Requires Staff Employment – Employing staff helps grow a business beyond the limitations of a single person. Businesses like shops and restaurants tend to require staff, while the franchisee’s main roll will be ensuring effective management of the business.
• Weekly Hours Minimum – Building on the part / full time requirement, the ultimate success of a business is down to your own involvement. The weekly hours field should be seen as a baseline, as a minimum, so that you stand the best chance of achieving or exceeding the forecasted profits set out by the franchisor.

Lifestyle suitability is subjective, and what works well for one person may not work for another. The comparison table is designed to help you identify franchise opportunities that best align with your preferred working pattern, level of involvement, and long-term objectives.

Support, Training and Marketing Assistance

One of the biggest advantages of becoming a business owner through franchising is the support. Where starting up a business alone brings with it risks, many of them are averted when investing in a franchise. Why? Well not only do you get everything you need to start running, you get access to an established brand and an operations manual. The operations manual details how to effectively run the business so that it operates in line with brand guidelines and other franchisees. This makes the brand uniform. Choosing a franchise that provides training and support is essential, especially if you’re new to business ownership.

Operations Requirements: Vehicle, Premises and Equipment

Depending on the franchise you choose, you may need to allocate additional capital for a vehicle or suitable premises. For mobile franchises, the franchisor will usually recommend an appropriate vehicle and may even assist with leasing or purchase arrangements through partnered lenders. For storefront or office-based franchises, premises will be required. When comparing franchises, look for those that provide site selection support. The franchisor can help you secure a suitable location at a leasehold price that fits within typical franchise running costs.

If any equipment is required, it is usually included as part of the franchise investment. However, as part of your due diligence, it’s always wise to confirm the details with the franchisor to ensure you understand what is covered.

Your Best Franchise Based On Your Requirements

For many, becoming a business owner is a career choice they never regret. Between 89% and 93%¹ of franchises report profitability, a rate significantly higher than that of independent start-ups. Choosing the right franchise, however, involves more than statistics—it’s about finding a business that fits your goals and lifestyle. Franchise Express provides detailed comparisons across key areas such as lifestyle, finances, and profitability, helping you make an informed decision. Explore your options and identify the franchise that aligns with your requirements.

Disclaimer

While every effort is made to keep the information above accurate, some details may be out of date. For the most up-to-date information, request further details through the franchise profile. The franchisor can provide more comprehensive financial data, including profits and losses, as well as a breakdown of monthly expenses. Where franchise investment figures are shown and the brand offers multiple investment options (e.g., startup packages), the lowest option is displayed.

The term “best franchises” refers to the opportunities that best meet your individual needs. While there is no single “best franchise,” the ideal franchise for you is one that aligns with your personal, financial, and lifestyle requirements.

For more detailed information about each franchise, contact the franchisor directly. Trustworthy brands will always be happy to provide details about territory mapping, projected earnings, and operational flexibility.

^ Franchise turnover and profits are not guaranteed accuracy of actual earnings. These tend to be based on predictions, forecasts or assumptions based on existing franchisee performance. Actual earnings may very depending on own performance and territory.