What we assess

  • The proposition. The customer offer, the market it sits in, what makes it defensible, and how it has changed since launch.
  • The financial model. The franchisor’s accounts at Companies House, the fee structure, the investment required, the franchisee profit and loss model, and whether real franchisee results bear it out.
  • Operations and support. The operations manual, training, launch support, ongoing support, and how the franchisor handles a franchisee in difficulty.
  • Marketing and recruitment. How the brand wins customers, how the franchisor recruits and selects franchisees, and what it tells them before they sign.
  • Franchisee performance. Trading results across the network, time to profit, franchisee tenure, resales and exits, and what current franchisees say.

How we gather the evidence

Every reviewed franchisor opens its business to us: accounts, the operations manual, the franchise agreement, network performance data, and conversations with franchisees of our choosing. We check public records independently. The review is written by the consultant who led the assessment and read by a second consultant before publication. The franchisor checks the facts panel for accuracy before publication. It does not see or approve the review.

The grades

  • Exceptional. A franchise we would recommend without reservation to the right person. Strong in every area, with a franchisee track record that proves the model over several years.

  • Very Good. A well-run franchise with a clear proposition and sound support. Strong in most areas, no material weakness, and franchisee results that support the claims.
  • Good. A sound franchise that meets our standard for inclusion in every area. Where something is still developing, the review says so.
  • One to Watch. A promising franchise too young to grade on franchisee performance. Meets the standard on proposition, financials, operations and marketing; fewer than three years of franchisee trading.

Who is reviewed

Familia only works with franchisors it believes it can recruit for honestly, and only franchisors that have been through the full assessment appear in the Guide. Franchisors that are not clients can ask to be reviewed; the process and the access required are the same. No franchisor pays to be listed and none can pay for a grade.

What we do not do

We do not comment on franchises that are not in the Guide. We do not accept advertising. We do not rank franchises against each other.

Keeping it current

Every entry is dated. Grades are reviewed at least every two years and whenever something material changes. A franchise that no longer meets the standard is removed.