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Why buy a BFA franchise

whichfranchise.com contains all BFA franchise opportunities.

If you are considering franchising as a new career, it is important that you start your research in the right place. Choosing a franchise that is a member of the BFA will give you comfort as these companies will have had to demonstrate that their franchises are:

  • Ethical
  • Viable
  • Franchiseable
  • They have to make an on-going commitment to keep up with best practice.

With a BFA franchise you will also get:

  • A business that has added value and therefore making it's sale easier
  • Protection from unwarranted legislation in the UK and Europe
  • Access to BFA seminars and exhibitions
  • Access to low cost complaints and arbitration schemes should a dispute arise
  • Access to National Franchisee Forum

Members of the BFA benefit from the immense wealth of experience of fellow franchisors as well as the expertise of affiliated professionals - solicitors, banks, and consultants who specialise in franchising. Regular regional and national meetings ensure an invaluable exchange of experience and advice and allow BFA members to become the most informed of franchisors.

BFA Standards and Categories of Membership

Over 350 franchisors have chosen to submit themselves to scrutiny by the association. Their networks encompass over 13,000 successful businesses. The association's criteria demand that all their members, full and associate, meet the following four general objectives:

  • Viable: All members of the BFA will have proved in the marketplace that their product or service is saleable, and furthermore saleable at a profit that will support a franchised network.
  • Franchiseable: All members of the BFA will have proven they have the means to transfer their know-how to a new operator at arm's length. Most will have done so at their own risk through at least one managed pilot franchise operation.
  • Ethical: The BFA has joined with its sister bodies in Europe to devise a new and expanded code of ethics which all members commit themselves to abide by. The code requires standards of conduct in advertising for franchisees and in recruiting and selecting them, and sets minimum conditions for the terms of franchise agreements. Those terms are both critical and complex.
  • Disclosure: All BFA members agree that they will, in advance of any lasting contractual agreement, disclose without ambiguity to prospective franchisees the information on their business which is material to the franchise agreement. Members submit their offer documents to the association as part of the accreditation procedure.

    • Associate Membership

    With these checks in place on viability, franchisability, ethical and disclosed conduct, franchisors can be admitted to associate membership of the association, providing also that they commit themselves to abide by the Advertising Standards Authority's code of practice and also to the association's own complaints and disciplinary, appeals and re-accreditation rules.

    Full Membership

    To become full members, franchisors must meet one more objective.

    A proven trading and franchising record: The length of time a franchised business has been in operation, and the changes in business and financial circumstances it must have survived before it can be said to be "established" will vary from sector to sector. The record of full members on openings, withdrawals, and failures (if any), as well as their trading and financial performance, is subject to an initial assessment and periodic checks.

    New entrants and Provisional Listing

    Just because a franchise proposition is new it does not mean that it is necessarily bad - though it may be. The association, therefore, introduced in 1991 a provisional list for the companies new to franchising, who could nevertheless demonstrate that they were taking all reasonable measures to make sure that their business is properly developed and tested for the franchise method.

    Professional Affiliates

    The BFA's membership criteria have been the subject of consultation with the professional advisers affiliated to the BFA, who provide legal, accountancy banking and other services. The advice of those who are expert, not only in their own field, but also in franchising is vital. Here is another job for the BFA, accrediting the franchise knowledge and experience of its professional affiliates.

    Additional Information

    If you would like more information about the work of the BFA please contact Pip Wilkins on 01491 578 050.