Investing in a franchise is an enticing prospect, but there’s one major question to address before you dive in – how much is it all going to cost?
There are various costs involved in opening a franchise, and how much you’ll have to pay will heavily depend on which industry you’re entering and which brand you want to join. Here, we break down the potential costs involved in buying an average UK franchise to provide a basic idea of what you can expect.
How Much Does it Cost to Open a Franchise?
The cost of a UK franchise can vary significantly, with low-cost options and more costly high-end franchises at the other end of the scale.
As a very general example, you might expect the following:
Low-cost Franchise: Some franchises may require minimal total investment, as little as £5,000 to £10,000. This will usually be for mobile or very small-scale operations.
Mid-range Franchise: Slightly larger franchise businesses tend to require an investment of £20,000 to £50,000.
High-end Franchise: Well-known brands such as those in the food and retail sector will have a higher total investment, often costing somewhere between £150,000 and £300,000.
The Average Cost of a Franchise Business
The British Franchise Association estimates that the average cost of a franchise is £42,200, which includes initial franchise fees and start-up investment costs.
However, this figure will very much depend on the industry and type of franchise you’re investing in.
Factors Influencing Franchise Cost
How much you’ll need to pay to get everything up and running will depend on various factors:
- Industry
- Franchise popularity and demand
- Type of franchise agreement (i.e. single, multi-store or master)
- Length of agreement
- Location of stores
- Design and product offerings
- Profit potential
- Support from the franchisor
Generally, the more support that’s provided, the higher the initial investment required will be. However, with more franchisor support also comes the opportunity for more growth and long-term success.
The Costs Involved in Buying a UK Franchise
The average cost of a franchise being somewhere around £40,000 provides a very general guideline, but it doesn’t really tell you all that much. Franchises include everything from home-run cleaning services and van-based businesses to high-street retail stores worth millions.
Costs and fees will differ wildly between industries, and there are several costs aside from your overall investment that will require consideration.
Franchise Costs Breakdown
1. Franchise Fee
The franchise fee is the payment you make for the right to operate under the franchisor’s name and business model. This is usually the most expensive upfront fee on the franchising journey because it gives you access to the expertise and practical necessities that contribute to a successful franchise business.
Again, franchise fees will largely depend on the franchisor you partner with, but you can generally expect to pay somewhere between £10,000-£50,000 for the upfront franchise fee.
2. Start-Up Costs & Capital Investment
Beyond the franchise fee, the franchisee is also usually responsible for paying the start-up costs. This will include things like:
- Property fees
- Equipment and store furnishings
- Inventory and supplies
- Payroll
- Anything else that’ll contribute to the daily running of the franchise
The type of franchise agreement you have will determine what start-up costs you need.
3. Working Capital
As well as the standard franchise fee, your franchisor will also likely have minimum financial requirements you’ll need to meet to be considered as a franchise partner.
Running any kind of business will require a healthy flow of working capital to cover day-to-day operational costs. Investing in a franchise is not a simple case of paying the franchise fee, setting up your store and sitting back, expecting the money to just come in. You must put in the work (and the money) to start seeing a profit.
The necessary liquid capital to keep your business afloat in the beginning contributes to the overall franchise costs and will be your responsibility as the franchisee.
4. Royalty Fees
The final standard fee that any franchise will require is the royalty fee. This ensures you can continue benefiting from the brand’s support and keep operating under their name.
Royalty payments can either be flat fees or a percentage of monthly gross sales – with the latter usually being more common. The royalties are generally between around 4% and 8% of your business's gross sales, but this can be a much higher percentage depending on the industry’s nature.
5. Potential Additional Expenses
The above costs will account for the basic setting up of your franchise and initial operations. However, you’ll also need to consider continued business growth costs as you find your footing as an established store. You may be responsible for paying for things like advertising and marketing costs, for instance.
Other potential costs you might not consider at the very beginning of your journey may also include franchise renewal fees, legal advice and insurance.
A good franchisor will be upfront about all the costs involved in buying a franchise and whether you’d be expected to pay additional fees or cover costs in the foreseeable future.
How Much Does a Franchise Owner Make in the UK?
Franchising can be an incredibly profitable way of running your own business. A study from the British Franchise Association (conducted in 2018) estimates that 93% of franchise-run units are profitable, far outstripping the prospective chances of success for independent start-ups.
The same study states that 60% of franchises see a turnover of more than £250,000. Ultimately, the level of profit you’ll see is dependent on the industry, the landscape of the current market and how willing you are to put in the work.
Interested in finding out more? Check out our guide on how long it takes for a franchise to become profitable.
How Much Does an Esquires Coffee Franchise Cost?
If you’re seriously considering buying a franchise and are interested in opening a coffee shop, Esquires Coffee could be your ideal partner. We’re passionate about helping up-and-coming entrepreneurs flourish and we work closely with our franchisees to create authentic local experiences for the modern coffee consumer.
As with any franchise, the exact cost of an Esquires Coffee franchise can vary depending on various factors.
For a single-store Esquires Coffee franchise, the total investment is generally around £270,000 - £300,000. This figure includes:
- Franchise fee: £19,500
- Minimum cash investment: £100,000
- Start-up costs to cover: hiring and training support, store design, equipment, marketing, property fees, fit-out and furniture costs.
Esquires Coffee Royalty Fees
Our royalties are 6% of gross sales.
How Much Will I Make With an Esquires Franchise?
Our franchisees can generally expect a net profit ratio of around 12.5-15%. However, this is merely an estimate, and the actual results can vary and will depend on the various factors we’ve mentioned throughout.
If you’d like to learn more about finding success with an Esquires franchise, take a look at our brochure below. Or, register your interest and apply for a franchise today.
