A clear message is emerging from the franchise sector: mental health matters – and it’s directly tied to business performance. In a recent nationwide survey, 100% of franchisees and 97% of franchisors said mental health challenges have affected, or could affect, the health of their business. Over 60% of franchisees reported experiencing stress, overwhelm, or low mood. Yet fewer than 1 in 5 franchises have a formal wellbeing policy in place.
The Sushi Co is celebrating fresh store launches in Hampstead and Harringay. Originally set up in 2022, The Sushi Co now has 21 sites and is inviting franchise applications as the brand’s growth plans are confirmed, with the aim to open 30 stores by the end of 2025.
Home care company Walfinch has launched free local activity sessions in Leicester and Loughborough. Kishan Pala, Managing Director of Walfinch home care Leicester and Loughborough, has launched two Walfinch Thrive Clubs, offering free exercise and activity sessions to Walfinch clients and anyone from the local community.
Muffin Break, the Australian-owned bakery café brand, is continuing its expansion across the UK with the launch of a brand-new store in Watford - marking the 92nd outlet for the Foodco UK Group across its Muffin Break and Jamaica Blue brands. Located in the popular Atria Shopping Centre, the new café has created 15 full-time and part-time jobs and represents a £303,000 investment
The Sushi Co continues to increase the number of live sushi kitchens on high streets around the country. Meet the team behind the brand who support franchisees on their journey to build a profitable Sushi Co franchised outlet.
Cuppa’ Chaii continues to thrive in Bromley High Street, one of London’s main streets for eating and shopping. Run by husband and wife team, Fariha and Salman Khan, the store opened at the start of 2025 to much excitement from locals keen to try food and drink from a hybrid menu; Pakistani heritage meets British culture.
2025 is another busy year for award-winning Tex-Mex franchise Plan Burrito. With 13 stores currently trading, the brand aims to have another 7 stores open by the end of the year. Locations in the pipeline include Nuneaton, Lincoln, Swansea, Pontypridd, Stevenage, Battersea, Twickenham and a second site in Central London.
CareYourWay has once again been recognised as one of the Top 20 Home Care Groups in the UK by homecare.co.uk — an honour the company has proudly held for three years running. This award is especially meaningful because it is based entirely on the feedback of the families and clients the company supports every day.
Amrit Dhaliwal brings together his commitment to quality, care sector skills and experience as an award-winning businessman as CEO of Walfinch, the parent company of the network of franchised Walfinch home-based care offices across the UK
So I want to talk about leadership and infrastructure. I'm sure a lot of you have heard me talk about this before. I think it's super important as a business owner, we're never able to scale without the right people around us. A great book called Good to Great by Jim Collins is all about getting the right people on the bus and the wrong people off the bus.