Could Your Local Business Become a National Franchise Success Story? A Guide for Growing SMEs

Discover how local businesses with a strong USP can expand nationwide through franchising. Learn what makes a business franchise-ready and how to attract potential investors.

Every successful national brand started somewhere. Whether it was a single coffee shop, a family-run bakery, a specialist cleaning company or an innovative home improvement service, many of today's best-known businesses began as one local enterprise with a great idea.

If your business has developed a unique selling proposition (USP) that customers genuinely value, franchising could be the next exciting step in your growth journey.

What makes a business suitable for franchising?

Not every business is ready to become a franchise, but many owners underestimate just how transferable their model can be.

A strong franchise opportunity usually has several things in common:

A proven business model with consistent profits.

A recognisable brand.

Products or services that customers actively seek out.

Systems that can be taught to someone else.

Strong operational procedures.

Ongoing demand in multiple locations.

If someone else can successfully replicate what you do by following your systems, you're already thinking like a franchisor.

Your USP is your biggest asset

The strongest franchises don't try to be everything to everyone.

Instead, they excel at doing one thing exceptionally well.

Perhaps you offer an innovative food concept, a specialist repair service, eco-friendly cleaning, unique retail products or an outstanding customer experience that competitors struggle to match.

Your USP becomes the reason franchisees invest. They're buying into a proven concept that already stands out from the crowd.

Grow without owning every location

Opening branches yourself requires significant investment, management time and financial risk.

Franchising allows ambitious entrepreneurs to invest their own capital to open new locations under your brand.

In return, franchisees usually pay:

An initial franchise fee.

Ongoing royalty payments.

Contributions towards national marketing.

This creates opportunities to expand much more quickly than relying solely on your own finances.

Protect your reputation

Growth should never come at the expense of quality.

Successful franchisors invest heavily in training, operations manuals, brand standards and ongoing support.

From customer service and marketing to stock management and health and safety, every aspect of the business should be clearly documented so customers enjoy the same experience wherever they visit.

Consistency is what builds trust in a growing brand.

Think nationally from day one

Even if you currently operate from a single town or city, ask yourself:

Could this business work in Manchester? Birmingham? Cardiff? Edinburgh? Belfast?

If the answer is yes, your market could be much larger than your local area.

With today's digital marketing, cloud-based systems and online training platforms, supporting franchisees across the UK has never been more practical.

Get professional advice first

Franchising is a significant legal and commercial undertaking, so it's worth speaking to experienced franchise consultants, solicitors and accountants before launching.

They can help you develop franchise agreements, operations manuals, financial models and recruitment processes that protect both your business and your future franchisees.

Could your business be next?

Britain has an impressive history of successful franchise brands, many of which started life as small independent businesses with a big idea and the determination to grow.

If your business has a distinctive USP, loyal customers and a model that others can successfully replicate, franchising could provide the route to national recognition while helping other entrepreneurs build successful businesses of their own.

Sometimes the biggest opportunity isn't opening your next branch yourself, it's giving someone else the chance to succeed using the business model you've already perfected.

You should consider becoming a member of the British Franchise Association. For nearly 50 years the BFA have been representing the specialist needs of franchise operators in Britain.

https://www.thebfa.org

AI Is Now Influencing Buying Decisions More Than Ever, New Research Reveals

Artificial intelligence is no longer simply helping consumers and businesses research products and services, it's increasingly shaping the decisions they make.

New research from AI visibility consultancy LLM Listed suggests AI-powered platforms such as ChatGPT, Google AI Overviews, Claude, Microsoft Copilot and Gemini are becoming trusted advisers throughout the buying journey, with an overwhelming 85% of buyers saying they have changed their mind because of an AI recommendation.

The findings come from the company's AI Buyer Journey Report 2026, based on responses from 770 buyers across the United States and the United Kingdom.

Perhaps even more striking is the level of trust respondents now place in AI-generated information. The study found that 97% trust information provided by AI platforms, while 94% said they would stop considering a company altogether if AI presented negative information about it.

For businesses, that represents a significant shift in how customers discover, evaluate and ultimately choose suppliers.

Business buyers appear to be embracing AI particularly quickly. According to the report, 91% of B2B buyers now use AI during the purchasing process, while 90% research potential vendors using AI before ever making direct contact.

Consumer behaviour is also changing rapidly. Around 84% of consumers now use AI somewhere during their buying journey, with 59% turning to AI as their very first stop when looking for product recommendations.

The research also suggests businesses may be underestimating AI's influence because many buyers never click directly through from AI platforms to company websites. Instead, they often search Google for a company name, type the website address directly into their browser or even ask AI tools for telephone numbers and contact details before making contact.

Among consumer users, Google AI Overviews (39%) and ChatGPT (35%) emerged as the two most popular AI platforms for product research. Business buyers showed more varied preferences, using Google AI Overviews (27%), ChatGPT (23%), Claude (15%) and Microsoft Copilot (11%) in significant numbers.

Ben Harper, Founder of LLM Listed, believes the findings demonstrate a major change in customer behaviour.

He said told That's Business: "The findings suggest that AI is no longer simply a research tool. It is increasingly becoming a decision-making tool."

He added that organisations can no longer afford to ignore how they appear across AI platforms, particularly when buyers are placing so much trust in the information they receive.

As AI becomes increasingly embedded in everyday purchasing decisions, businesses may need to pay as much attention to how they are represented by AI systems as they do to their websites, search engine rankings and online reviews. In an increasingly AI-driven marketplace, visibility across these platforms could become just as important as visibility on traditional search engines.

https://llmlisted.com/

GAP Group North East expands with new Yorkshire facility to boost electrical recycling services across the UK

GAP Group North East is expanding its nationwide electrical recycling and resource recovery network with the opening of a new operational facility in Yorkshire, strengthening its ability to deliver faster, more efficient services to businesses, local authorities and compliance partners across much of the UK.

The fully accredited electrical recycling specialist already operates established processing centres in Gateshead and Perthshire, providing extensive coverage across North East England and Scotland. The addition of a Yorkshire hub represents the next stage of the company's growth strategy, creating a central location that will significantly improve services for customers throughout Yorkshire, the Midlands and the South of England and Wales.

By reducing collection distances and improving logistics, the new facility is expected to deliver quicker response times, greater operational flexibility and enhanced processing capacity for organisations handling Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE).

Nigel Tomlinson, Commercial Director at GAP Group North East, said the expansion reflects the company's commitment to supporting customers wherever they are based.

He told That's Business: "As demand grows, our mission is to make sure every customer, wherever they are in the UK, receives the same level of service, speed and compliance support. The Yorkshire site is about us providing what our customers need."

The new facility is set to offer a number of practical advantages for customers, including more efficient transport routes that reduce travel mileage and improve collection turnaround times. Shorter lead times from collection requests to processing will also help businesses meet tighter project deadlines, while increased capacity will enable GAP Group to respond more effectively to urgent, high-volume or complex recycling requirements.

The expansion comes at a time when regulatory expectations surrounding WEEE compliance continue to increase. Businesses, public sector organisations and compliance schemes are under growing pressure to ensure electrical waste is managed responsibly, creating greater demand for accredited recycling partners with the capacity to handle larger volumes across multiple waste streams.

GAP Group says the Yorkshire site will allow it to maintain the high standards of reliability and responsiveness that customers have come to expect while supporting continued growth in demand.

The enhanced network is expected to benefit a wide range of organisations, from facilities management companies coordinating nationwide collections and retailers undertaking store refurbishments, to construction firms clearing project sites, education trusts replacing IT equipment and brokers managing compliance obligations on behalf of clients.

With three strategically located processing facilities, GAP Group North East is positioning itself to provide faster, more accessible and more resilient electrical recycling services to organisations across the UK.

https://gapgroupuk.com

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Manufacturers Turn to Digital Permit Systems as Workplace Safety Inspections Increase

Manufacturers are increasingly replacing traditional paper-based permit-to-work systems with digital alternatives as workplace safety inspections place greater emphasis on real-time contractor management and operational control.

According to Cork-based EHA Soft Solutions, enquiries for its mai™ electronic work permit system have risen significantly as businesses prepare for more rigorous inspections focusing on permit-to-work procedures and contractor compliance.

The shift reflects changing expectations from workplace regulators. Rather than simply checking whether paperwork exists, inspectors are increasingly looking for evidence that organisations can demonstrate exactly who is carrying out high-risk work, what authorisations are in place and whether appropriate safety controls are being followed at that moment.

Dr Dan Gallagher, Founder and Managing Director of EHA Soft Solutions, believes the days of relying solely on paper permits are rapidly coming to an end.

He explained to That's Business that inspectors now expect organisations to be able to instantly identify every active permit on site, who authorised it, who is working under it and the safeguards that are currently in place. If this information cannot be produced quickly, businesses may struggle to demonstrate effective operational control.

The company's digital permit platform is designed to reduce the risks associated with manual processes by ensuring mandatory information is completed before a permit can be issued. Approval workflows can also be tailored so that permits are automatically routed to the appropriate managers for authorisation.

Where contractors are involved, the system checks that workers have completed site inductions, hold valid certifications, possess current insurance documentation and meet competency requirements before work begins. Approved risk assessments and method statements are also linked directly to each permit, creating a clear audit trail.

Managers benefit from live dashboards showing every active permit across a site, allowing engineering, health and safety teams, security staff and senior management to monitor ongoing work in real time. Every amendment is date and time stamped, creating a detailed record that can be reviewed during inspections or incident investigations.

Mobile technology also enables permit issuers to complete inspections directly at the work location, including capturing photographs, while the system requires formal sign-off once work has been completed — a step that is often overlooked with paper-based processes.

EHA Soft Solutions says growing interest in digital permits highlights a wider trend across manufacturing. Rather than viewing permit-to-work systems in isolation, many organisations are adopting integrated contractor management platforms that combine access control, online inductions, competency checks, document management and permit approvals into a single digital ecosystem.

As regulatory expectations continue to evolve, manufacturers are increasingly recognising that real-time visibility, accurate records and demonstrable compliance are becoming essential parts of modern workplace safety management.

ehasoft.com

International Day of Cooperatives: Celebrating Businesses Built on Shared Success

Discover why International Day of Cooperatives highlights the importance of member-owned businesses and how co-operatives continue to strengthen communities and economies.

Every year, the International Day of Cooperatives shines a spotlight on a business model that has been quietly transforming communities, supporting local economies and creating sustainable businesses for generations.

Celebrated on the first Saturday of July, the day recognises the contribution that co-operatives make across the world. From agriculture and retail to finance, housing, healthcare and renewable energy, co-operatives demonstrate that commercial success and social responsibility can go hand in hand.

Unlike conventional businesses that primarily exist to maximise returns for shareholders, co-operatives are owned and democratically controlled by their members. Those members may be customers, employees, producers or local residents, all sharing a common interest in the organisation's success.

This unique structure encourages long-term thinking. Decisions are often made with the wider community in mind, balancing profitability with fairness, sustainability and resilience.

The UK has a proud co-operative tradition. Millions of people are members of co-operatives, whether they realise it or not, through retail societies, credit unions, farming groups or employee-owned businesses. Many communities also rely on co-operative enterprises to preserve vital local services that might otherwise disappear.

For entrepreneurs and business leaders, the co-operative model offers an alternative way to build an organisation. Employee-owned businesses, for example, can improve staff engagement, increase loyalty and create a stronger sense of shared purpose.

Producer co-operatives allow smaller businesses to pool resources, improve purchasing power and compete more effectively in increasingly challenging markets.

As businesses continue to face economic uncertainty, changing consumer expectations and growing pressure to operate sustainably, many are looking again at collaborative models that distribute both opportunity and responsibility more evenly.

Consumers, too, are increasingly interested in supporting organisations whose values align with their own. Transparency, ethical trading and community investment are becoming important factors in purchasing decisions, making the co-operative approach more relevant than ever.

International Day of Cooperatives is an opportunity not only to celebrate existing success stories but also to encourage discussion about how businesses can become more resilient, inclusive and community-focused.

Whether it's a local food co-operative, an employee-owned consultancy, a community energy scheme or a national retail organisation, co-operatives continue to prove that businesses can succeed while delivering lasting benefits for their members and society as a whole.

As the global economy evolves, the principles of co-operation, shared ownership and mutual support remain powerful tools for building stronger businesses and stronger communities.

https://www.uk.coop

Micro-, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Day: Celebrating Britain's SMEs

Micro-, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Day: Celebrating the Businesses That Keep Britain Moving.

Discover why Micro-, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Day celebrates the entrepreneurs and small businesses driving innovation, jobs and economic growth across the UK.

Every year on 27 June, the world marks Micro-, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSME) Day – an opportunity to recognise the millions of businesses that form the backbone of local, national and global economies.

While the headlines are often dominated by multinational corporations, it is the UK's small businesses that quietly keep communities thriving. From family-run shops and independent cafés to innovative technology start-ups, skilled tradespeople and specialist manufacturers, micro, small and medium-sized enterprises make an enormous contribution to employment, innovation and economic growth.

In the UK alone, small businesses account for the overwhelming majority of all private sector firms. Many are run by passionate entrepreneurs who have turned an idea into a successful enterprise through determination, hard work and a willingness to take risks.

These businesses create jobs, develop new products and services, support local supply chains and often provide a more personal level of customer service than larger organisations can offer. They are also quick to adapt to changing consumer habits, embracing new technology, flexible working and online trading opportunities.

However, running a small business is rarely easy.

Many owners continue to face rising operating costs, increased energy prices, recruitment challenges, changing regulations and ongoing economic uncertainty. Access to finance, cybersecurity, digital transformation and artificial intelligence are also becoming increasingly important issues for businesses of every size.

Yet despite these challenges, Britain's entrepreneurs continue to demonstrate remarkable resilience. Across every sector, business owners are finding creative ways to grow, improve efficiency and reach new customers both at home and overseas.

Micro-, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Day is therefore more than just a date on the calendar. It is a reminder of the vital role these businesses play in building prosperous communities and driving future economic success.

At That's Business, we're proud to shine a spotlight on organisations of every size. Whether it's reporting on exciting new product launches, innovative technologies, leadership appointments, sustainability initiatives or inspiring entrepreneurial success stories, we're committed to celebrating the people behind Britain's business community.

So today, if you know someone who runs a small business, take a moment to support them. Buy from them, recommend them, leave a positive review or simply share their story. Small actions can make a big difference.

Here's to the entrepreneurs, innovators and independent businesses that help keep Britain's economy moving forward—today on MSME Day and every day of the year.