With youth joblessness at a 10-year peak, growing numbers are opting to buy a franchise or an established business rather than climb the corporate ladder.
New insight from leading marketplace BusinessesForSale.com shows growing demand for franchise opportunities as younger workers and older professionals seek greater security and prospects amid an unstable jobs market.
In this increasingly volatile economic environment, many would-be entrepreneurs are rethinking the high-risk startup route.
Instead of building a business from the ground up with limited funding and long journeys to profitability, buyers are increasingly drawn to established operations with trading history, existing customers and structured support.
New data from BusinessesForSale.com – a company that has had its finger on the pulse of buying and selling businesses for more than three decades – reinforces the shift towards established operations and franchising.
Between January 2021 and January 2026, franchise and resale enquiries as a proportion of all business leads rose from 11.27% to 15.96% – a 41.61% increase over five years. Year-on-year figures show steady momentum, with the share of franchise and resale enquiries rising from 12.56% in 2021 to 16.48% in 2025, which is a 31.21% increase.
The direction of travel is clear: more buyers are actively seeking proven, revenue-generating operations rather than starting from scratch. Franchises have historically proven more resilient to economic cycles and typically show higher survival rates than independent startups, helping explain why lenders are often more comfortable supporting franchise purchases backed by strong brands and proven operating models.
Andrew Markou, CEO and co-founder of BusinessesForSale.com, said:
“We’re seeing a clear shift in how people are approaching business ownership. Increasingly, buyers are looking for established operations and franchise opportunities rather than taking the risks associated with starting from scratch.What’s also changing is who those buyers are. Business ownership is no longer dominated by a narrow group of wealthy or serial entrepreneurs. We’re seeing growing interest from younger people – including graduates struggling to get established in a tougher jobs market – as well as older professionals looking for a second act after corporate careers end earlier or more abruptly than expected.”
Andrew continues, “Franchising, in particular, offers a compelling middle ground: the independence of running your own operation combined with the reassurance of a proven model, existing customers and structured support. In an uncertain economic environment, it’s not surprising that people are prioritising predictability, resilience, and a greater sense of control over their working lives.”
Case studies
At 22, Aaron Johal made a decision that went against expectations. Armed with a first-class degree in Economics and Finance, the conventional route into a corporate career in the City was open to him. Instead, he chose to buy and run his own Black Sheep Coffee franchise, turning his back on the traditional graduate path in favour of business ownership and greater control over his working life.
“I wanted more control over what I was building and how my working life would look, rather than following a route that felt pre-set.
“I’m definitely not alone in this. Some of my university friends have gone into corporate roles and are happy there, but I’ve also found a growing peer group who are quietly building or buying businesses instead. There are more people opting out of the traditional path than you’d expect.
“For me, franchising felt like a smart way to become an entrepreneur without reinventing the wheel. You’re buying into a proven system and years of experience, which reduces risk compared to starting completely from scratch. It’s still hard work – physically and mentally, but you’re building something you own.
“One of my friends runs a business manufacturing screws, and it’s doing incredibly well. It’s not glamorous, but it’s profitable and sustainable. That really changed how I think about success. You don’t need a flashy job title or industry – you need a business model that works and fits the life you want to build.”
Now approaching two years in operation, Aaron’s coffee franchise has exceeded sales expectations and is trading profitably. With the business established, he plans to expand by opening a second outlet, targeting Manchester as his next market.
Case study 2:
At 43, John Preston stepped away from a senior career in the City, where he worked in derivatives and sales, after a health scare prompted him to reassess his life.
He had the income and status many chase, but had always wanted to run his own business.
Rather than return to the City, John chose franchising, investing in Mathnasium, the specialist maths tuition network. For him, it was a strategic decision – not a leap into the unknown, but a calculated move into a proven system.
“I’m not the guy with the trillion-dollar idea, but I understand business, and I enjoy it. Taking a model that works and scaling it is infinitely easier than starting with nothing and trying to create everything yourself.
“In the City, you can earn a phenomenal amount of money, but you’re often a tiny slice of something huge and heavily leveraged. With franchising, you need a much broader skillset – and you’re building something that’s actually yours.”
Under John’s leadership, the business has scaled rapidly. What began with a single centre in early 2019 has grown into a national network of 38 operating locations, with a further 18 in development.
Franchising and the UK economy
The UK franchise sector continues to be a significant economic contributor, generating approximately £19.1 billion annually and reporting high profitability, with over 90% of franchisees reporting that their businesses are profitable.
Historically centred on food and retail, the market is now diverse, encompassing health and wellness, senior care, and education, reflecting evolving consumer demand and broader economic shifts.
Emerging segments are also reshaping the sector, including eco-friendly ventures and technology-driven services.