January 5, 2026
In 2018, franchising continued to be one of the most popular ways for entrepren
eurs to kick start their own businesses with a 10 percent growth in franchises over the past four years. The current figures for the United Kingdom make for good reading. There are approximately 1,000 franchise systems in operation employing over 620,000 people and contributing £15.1 billion to the economy.There are many reasons as to why franchises are proving so successful despite the challenging economy brought about by issues such as rising inflation, a weak pound and of course, the country’s imminent departure from the European Union – and here are five of them.
The reason that many entrepreneurs often want to start their own business is for independence. Being your own boss is one of the biggest allures of going it alone, free of the shackles of working for somebody else or a company. But this independence is a double-edged sword, as it is also one of the main reasons that many people never take the plunge into the world of becoming business owners. The word “alone” is a scary one and can be quite off-putting who do you turn to for support if things aren’t going to plan or you need pointing in the right direction?Franchises cover you both ways, offering the best of both worlds. You’ll be your own boss, remain an “entrepreneur” and have the independence that comes with owning your own small business, but you’ll also have the support of a big business network and a franchisor to lean on when you need it.
One of the barriers that many people put between themselves and starting their own business is the fact that they don’t have any business experience. When it comes to football coaching, you could have all the tools to be the next Pep Guardiola, but you might think that’s absolutely no use as you wouldn’t have a clue how to run your own soccer school from a business point of view.With a franchise, you don’t need to worry about this. A franchisor such as We Make Footballers will provide you with all the training you need to operate within a business model, meaning that you can turn your dream of owning your own coaching business into reality, without needing to acquire Lord Sugar’s brain for business or an expert’s CV.
“Playing pro and having a strong background in football has helped me feel confident about the football side of running my coaching business but really appreciate the business support which I get from the WMF Head Office. I get help with financial planning, sales, marketing and operational support. I would strongly recommend any football coaches looking to start their own football business to speak to WMF first.” - Marcelo Graca, Chiswick & Southall Franchise Owner
Whenever you start a new business, there is always an element of risk involved – but that risk is
greatly reduced with a franchise. A franchise already has brand recognition, experience, network, marketing strategies, online presence, consultancy and business plans in place. Franchises are often positioned as a good investment.A franchise can give you an idea of your earning potential, guide your spending and provide the support you need to start making money. These factors all contribute to the success of franchises and explain why they are such a popular route to entrepreneurship.
One of the major hurdles to clear when it comes to setting up your own business is how to finance it. Banks will only lend if you have a rock-solid business plan and even then, they might view your venture as too much of a risk. Without the necessary capital, the dream can be over before it’s even off the ground. Franchises will often provide you with business plans, research, and documents to back up loan applications which are available through companies like Franchise Finance or Start-Up loans.The more chance of success your business has and the more backing you have, the more inclined institutes will be to loan you money. By working with an established franchise with a proven record of delivering, you’ll be increasing your chances of getting the funding needed to go it alone and invest in the success of your business.
By becoming part of a franchise, you take on an already established brand, reputation and image. This cuts out the lengthy and costly process of building a name for yourself, which can often take years of time and investment. You’ll also be taking on proven management, processes and work practices, which means that you can spend less time worrying about the business side of things and more time doing the hands-on element of the job which inspired you to want to become an entrepreneur in the first place.
Entrepreneurs have something in common: the drive for success in business. This can come with taking calculated risks and a great starting point or addition to an established entrepreneur’s portfolio can be a franchise. Some of the key benefits include buying into an established business, the ongoing support provided and a greater chance of success.The best entrepreneurs are the ones working in an industry that they are passionate about. We Make Footballers have put together a comprehensive franchise opportunity including all the tools to run a successful football coaching business, for those who are passionate about football.
