The BFA announces the launch of the 35th BFA HSBC UK British Franchise Awards

The BFA (British Franchise Association) has announced the launch of the BFA HSBC UK British Franchise Awards for 2024.

Founded in 1977, the BFA is the hub of franchising in the UK. The association not only showcases the opportunities for businesses and individuals to transform their lives through franchising, but also provides an educational space and accreditations, governed by high standards and a strict code of ethics.

The awards, now in their 35th year, are considered the pinnacle of recognition and achievement in the franchise sector, celebrating as they do, the achievements of BFA member franchisors and franchisees.

The judges for this year’s awards are:

• Pip Wilkins QFP, CEO, BFA (British Franchise Association) (Chair of Judges)
• Gillian Morris, UK Head of Franchise, Commercial Banking, HSBC UK
• Natalia Shvarts QFP, Partner, Excello Law
• Adam Lovelock, Director, Coconut Marketing
• Alan Wilkinson QFP, Head of Franchise Development, The Franchising Centre
• Roz Goldstein QFP, Partner, PartnerWise Franchise

The relevant dates for the 2024 awards are as follows: 

• 22nd April 2024: Entries open
• 12th June 2024: Entries close
• 29th July – 2nd August 2024: Judging week
• 2nd – 6th September 2024: Filming week
• 7th November 2024: Awards evening

A printable entry guide will be available on the BFA website www.thebfa.org from the 22nd April 2024.

The categories for this year’s awards are:

Franchisor Award Categories

•             Franchisor of the Year – Established

•             Franchisor of the Year – Expanding

•             Franchisor of the Year – Emerging  

•             Franchisor of the Year – Lifestyle

•             Leadership and Culture  

•             Brand Awareness  

•             International Expansion * new!

•             Trailblazer  

Franchisee Award Categories

•             Lifestyle

•             Next Generation

•             Community Focus

•             Business Builder * new!

•             HSBC Best in Class, multi-unit, single brand  

•             HSBC UK Best in Class, multi-unit, multi brand  

•             Trailblazer franchisee

•             Franchisee of the year – People’s Choice

Commenting on the launch of the 35th annual awards, CEO of the BFA Pip Wilkins said: “Just five months after we announced the 2023 winners, the BFA team are back with the 2024 BFA HSBC UK British Franchise Awards. We have two new awards this year, ‘International Expansion’ and ‘Business Builder’. Both are looking at businesses that have grown successfully, but in very different ways.”

She continued: “Franchise resales are a growth area for franchising and when you see the results, it’s not hard to understand why. When you invest in a franchise territory that is already operational, you hit the ground running with a very big head start, meaning the entrepreneur can achieve impressive growth results within a short space of time. This new category will give us the chance to shine a light on people investing in these resale territories and making huge successes of them.  The new ‘International Expansion’ award for franchisors is going to make for fascinating reading too as we examine the international success of some of the larger franchise brands. Many franchisors who have built firm foundations with their UK operations are now looking to expand abroad. ‘Brand Britain’ is still a valuable commodity in the export market and OUR franchise brands are taking advantage of this like never before. We are looking forward to hearing about their journeys to international franchise success.”

Recognising the role of the judges Pip said: “My thanks as always to our judges, Gillian, Natalia, Adam, Alan and Roz who have agreed to give up enormous amounts of their working time to judge the entries we receive.  Each brings with them their own valuable area of expertise, to this highly experienced judging panel. In a change for 2024 we are leaving the London-based studio behind and renting out a multi-million pound ‘location’ house in the Midlands for our filming week, which we hope will not only add to the fun for our finalists but will also give us some great footage for our Best in Franchising campaign that will come out before the awards.

Gillian Morris, UK Head of Franchise, Commercial Banking, at sponsors HSBC UK said: “In the 35 years we have been sponsoring the British Franchise Awards the entries have never failed to impress. Every year we read stories of good strategy, great planning and, sometimes, enormous bravery. People in the franchising world are invariably totally committed and their passion for their businesses shines through. I know we’re all looking forward to reading this years’ entries, hearing how they are supporting their brand, their franchisees, their local communities, and the franchising sector as a whole. I send my best wishes to you all and wish you the best of luck.”