From accounting and recruitment to digital marketing and IT, business franchises cover a vast range of specialisms. Pair that with entrepreneurial spirit and a genuine curiosity about how other people’s businesses tick – and with the right model, success could be just around the corner.
Tempted? Read on for the full low-down on what to look for in a B2B franchise – and how to make sure any investment you make really is the business.
Quite simply, a business franchise (or B2B franchise) is one that offers goods and/or services to other businesses. Instead of targeting individual consumers, it focuses on providing what commercial organisations need to operate and thrive.
This can be a particularly enticing prospect for an ambitious would-be franchisee. After all, as potential customers go, businesses have a lot to recommend them.
For starters, compared with individual consumers, they typically spend more per transaction, buy more consistently – and, on the whole, keep far more sociable hours.
Peer-to-peer connection
“I love working with entrepreneurs,” confirms Grant Stain, founder and CEO of Blam Digital, an international agency that supports its ‘certified partners’ to build their own digital marketing concerns. “When you’ve both run businesses, there’s trust, rapport, and real connection - it’s peer-to-peer.”
A self-confessed “tech nerd”, Grant’s passion for identifying the best digital tools, then testing and optimising them for the maximum marketing impact, has been the driving force behind Blam from when he established the agency in 2015. “Every business needs a marketing strategy,” he points out. “The opportunity is enormous.”
Finding something that every potential customer needs could be described as the Holy Grail of franchising models. Targeting businesses rather than consumers arguably makes this considerably easier.
Grant Stain, founder and CEO of Blam Digital
Office supplies, commercial cleaning, courier fulfilment, packaging, IT support – not every business will need all of them, but most will need at least some. This means strong demand, clearly defined target customers and high potential for repeat income.
Business franchise examples
The range of sectors covered by business franchises is huge – but here are some of the most common categories:
Tech and IT: Think about all things digital: IT support, cybersecurity, cloud services, managed networks, system integration and software-as-a-service (SaaS) tools. You don’t need to be a computer genius to operate a successful franchise in this area, though. Some technical knowledge will help, but most models provide full training and back-end support.
Financial services: This could mean accountancy, payroll, tax planning or general financial advice, for example. Again, some relevant experience could be useful. However, great interpersonal and organisational skills, plus effective networking and outsourcing are likely to be more so.
Recruitment and staffing: Recruitment franchises help other businesses find permanent or temporary staff. They may also manage onboarding. It could be that they specialise in niche sectors, such as healthcare or construction. Success here is definitely about building strong relationships with employers and candidates alike. Some models may also focus on supporting jobseekers directly – helping them with applications, interviews and personal branding.
Marketing and advertising: This broad category includes digital marketing agencies, branded merchandise providers, local media and print advertising, and social media management. If you have a creative approach to problem-solving, and are looking for a low-overhead, home-based franchise, this could be for you.
Office supplies and business services: This category caters to everyday operational needs – from stationery and furniture to document shredding, courier services, and photocopier leasing. It also includes services that help SMEs run more efficiently, such as business utilities management for gas, electricity and water. Yes, it’s old-school – but reports of the death of the office have been greatly exaggerated. And besides, modern franchises often integrate tech and subscription models to offer convenience and repeat sales to a loyal B2B customer base.
Business coaching: This category focuses on helping other businesses grow, streamline operations or improve leadership and performance. If you have experience in consulting or mentoring, a coaching franchise can offer a rewarding route into self-employment.
Coworking and flexible workspaces: Membership-based coworking franchises provide access to stylish, well-equipped office spaces around the world. These businesses tap into the growing demand for flexible, community-driven work environments.
Starting a business franchise
So, what’s the best way to go about becoming a business franchise owner? First, of course, as with any commercial decision, it’s vital to do your due diligence. Attend taster events and speak to existing franchisees whenever you can, asking yourself the right questions as you explore various sectors:
What do I want from my business (e.g. flexibility, income, challenge, growth)?
What are my strengths, and where will I need support?
What kind of clients am I excited to work with?
For Karen Goncalves, a successful franchisee with TaxAssist Accountants, it was all about having the right team to call on. After two happy and successful stints in the corporate world – sandwiching a period during which she established, built and sold a profitable business in her native South Africa – she decided the time was right to step back out on her own. The TaxAssist model gave her a way of doing that with minimal risk.
Karen Goncalves, franchisee with TaxAssist Accountants
“I’d run a practice before and I knew how isolating it could be,” she explains. “I didn’t want to be on my own again. TaxAssist gave me support, branding, systems – and a culture that fits me. We speak the same language.”
Karen had all the professional accountancy know-how and experience she needed at her fingertips. However, she’s keen to point out that TaxAssist franchisees come from a range of accountancy, finance and banking backgrounds.
“It’s not about whether you’re a fully qualified accountant or not, because in terms of physically doing the books, you can outsource that, or you can employ people to do it,” she observes. “Your role as practice owner is to work on the business, not in it.”
Grant, founder of Blam Digital, agrees. “Our partners don’t have to know how to build a website or run a campaign,” he says. “We do all the tech and training. They just need to be coachable, follow the process and care about helping business owners grow.”
How can you make your business franchise a success?
Both Grant and Karen are very clear that running a successful business franchise means building authentic, lasting relationships with clients. “I network all the time,” laughs Karen. “I talk to anyone – in the supermarket, on the street, wherever. That’s how I build my business.”
“I always say, if you're in business, you're in sales; because if you don't make sales, you haven't got a business,” says Grant. “But this is not about cold pitching. It’s about building relationships, understanding others’ goals, and helping them get there.” In other words, if you’re not a people person, it’s probably not for you.
It’s going to be hard work, especially in the early years. But as a general rule, overheads are low. The initial investment can compare very favourably with a B2C franchise, as you are less likely to need premises and costly equipment. “Most of our top partners have offices, but you certainly don’t need one to start with,” confirms Grant.
Work with what you have
Karen does have a shop; for her, it’s a case of making the most of the brand awareness and credibility that comes with a TaxAssist franchise. “People walk in off the street and they’re impressed,” she says.
“When I meet with IFAs or small business owners, this space helps them take me seriously. It’s clean, on-brand, and welcoming.” She’s branded her car, too. “It’s a moving billboard!”
With a Blam partnership, the model is slightly different from a standard franchising operation, in that partners don’t trade as ‘Blam [Location]’. “We set them up with their own logo, their own website, their own brand. However, all of the content, systems, processes, services and products that they deliver are Blam products,” clarifies Grant.
“The reason we do it like that is because the way the technology is delivered means that our partners aren’t tied to a territory – they can operate from anywhere and sell anywhere in the world.”
Making it work for you
Whichever business franchise you opt for, it’s important to remember that you chose it for a reason. Make that reason work for you.
Whether that’s a hugely visible brand, as with TaxAssist, or a proven sales model like the one developed by Grant and his team at Blam, the trick is to take the systems, processes and support team that are on offer, and add your unique energy and personality to maximise the potential of these tried-and-tested models.
Oh – and be prepared to play the long game. “We’re a get-rich-slow scheme, not a get-rich-quick scheme,” warns Grant. “If you think you’ll be ordering a Lamborghini in six weeks, you’re in the wrong place.
We can guarantee the model works. But we can’t guarantee you’ll succeed – because that depends on you.”
Is a business franchise right for you?
With proven systems, strong branding, built-in support and a customer base that’s easy to identify, business franchises can certainly look like a compelling way to start your own venture. But that doesn’t mean they’re for everyone. Before you put your money where your dreams are, there are a few things you need to ask yourself:
Do you enjoy meeting and talking to new people? From speculative networking to sealing the deal, being interested in others, and a natural communicator, are essential.
Are you willing to stick to the system? You’re investing in a process that has been proven to work. Yes, you’ll be bringing individual flair and ideas – but you have to trust the model.
Are you prepared to take time? Business franchises often rely on repeat custom and long-term relationships, which won’t happen overnight.
Are you genuinely excited at the prospect of helping other businesses grow? It’s your enthusiasm for what you are doing that will ultimately sell for you where it matters.
If the answer to all of those questions is a resounding 'yes', then perhaps it’s time to start thinking seriously about turning proven potential into personal success. Because a business franchise could be more than just a good fit – it could be your best move yet.