You may think you have to start a franchised business in the UK from scratch but this is not always the case. Many existing UK franchisees are looking to sell their franchises. There are many reasons that this could happen:

• The franchisee could be very successful and wants to sell a profitable business.
• The franchisee may simply be retiring.
• Some UK franchisees realise that the type of business they are in is just not for them and want to move to something new.

Buying an existing franchise is becoming a sensible and safer option as a way into starting a business. It has many advantages such as:

• The ability to generate profits at an earlier stage.
  Guaranteed income from day one.
• Not having to go through the initial set-up, which is the riskiest time.
• An established customer base and public acceptance.
• Easier to make financial projections as you have all the past records.
• Starting with trained/qualified staff.
• Starting with established suppliers.

You have to bear in mind that when you buy a franchise resale you may be paying more upfront investment as you will be buying the goodwill of the business.

It is important to remember buying a franchise resale does have some drawbacks, for example the existing franchisee may have old premises and equipment, which you may have to modernise. There are also existing businesses, which have, been allowed to deteriorate and winning back former customers can be very difficult.