The franchise business will contact you by means of email and/ or telephone only to the email address and phone number you have provided.
By submitting the enquiry form you are consenting to send your personal information to the selected franchise business.
You also agree to receive further newsletter email marketing from What Franchise.
Close
What needs to be taken into account when investing in a franchise from overseas?
John Pratt writes:
There’s a view that if a franchise works in a franchisor’s home country, it will work in the UK. That’s not always the case and you would expect the system and concept to be pilot tested in the UK and necessary adaptions made to reflect the market.
Secondly, franchisors have a number of options when expanding overseas.
The most commonly used method is to appoint a master franchisee in the territory, who will in effect be the franchisor in the UK.
The foreign franchisor may be a wonderful franchisor, but may have made a mistake in choosing the local master franchisee. This often happens.
Thirdly, are there local suppliers that will be approved by the franchisor. If not, would the cost of shipping such supplies to the UK be prohibitive?
Lastly, the foreign franchisor may be a substantial entity that would have the wherewithal to pay any claim you may have, but can the same be said of the master franchisee if that’s the way the business is operated?
Further, if the franchisor does not make use of a local master franchisee or other partner, would proceedings have to be commenced in the foreign franchisor’s territory, which would be challenging and expensive?
John Pratt is senior partner at specialist franchise firm Hamilton Pratt and has advised franchisors for over 25 years.
You might also be interested in

Answered by Vincent Anthony
Vincent Anthony writes: The property market has wide appeal because it is relevant to everyone: we all... read more

Answered by Louise Harris
Louise Harris writes: Richness or wealth is relative. We always want more, I guess. So, what is... read more

Answered by Shelley Nadler
Shelley Nadler writes: A concern that businesses may have when deciding to franchise their business, is the... read more

Answered by Alan Wilkinson
Alan Wilkinson writes: There are two elements to consider here. First is the franchise fee itself, and... read more
Exciting Franchise Opportunities

Start your own ActionCOACH UK franchise
Yes
This would be discussed at interview...

Request Free Information
Send a free enquiry to ActionCOACH UK for further information!
_75_75_s.jpg)
Start your own URBAN Fresh Burgers & Fries franchise
Yes
N/A
_75_75.jpg)
Request Free Information
Send a free enquiry to URBAN Fresh Burgers & Fries for further information!

Start your own No Letting Go franchise
Yes
N/A

Request Free Information
Send a free enquiry to No Letting Go for further information!

Start your own Lumi SKN Clinics franchise
Yes
N/A

Request Free Information
Send a free enquiry to Lumi SKN Clinics for further information!

Start your own Apollo Care franchise
Yes
£600,000

Request Free Information
Send a free enquiry to Apollo Care for further information!
Companies to Consider

Get expert franchising news delivered straight to your inbox
Franchise news, advice and new opportunities delivered weekly.
Must Read Articles
-
50 franchise brands with training programmes in 2025
Added 6 months ago | 2 min read
-
Johnny Pearce: “Sustainability isn’t just a trend – it’s a growth strategy”
Added one month ago | 2 min read
-
Franchise funding: How to beat the banks
Added 2 months ago | 2 min read
Franchises by Minimum Investment
Find your next business opportunity
Search 100s of UK franchises and become your own boss today.
-
Under 10k
Starting a franchise doesn't have to be costly
Click here -
Under 20k
A mid-range investment for the more experienced
Click here -
Under 50k
If you have experience and more to invest
Click here -
Over 50k
If budget is not an issue, then don't miss these
Click here -
Local Franchises
Find the perfect franchise in a location to suit you
Click here
What Franchise Newsletter
Keep up to date with all the industry news