Frequently Asked Questions About Market Entry & Franchising
FMS Europe: Your Guide to Building and Expanding Successful Franchise Networks
Franchise development FAQ Europe: At FMS Europe, we have decades of first-hand franchising experience across every sector, from single-unit start-ups to global brands with hundreds of locations. We’ve seen what works, what fails, and exactly how to bridge that gap. This FAQ section distils the most common questions we receive, alongside the insight that comes from working with thousands of franchisors and franchisees worldwide.
Key Considerations for EU Market Entry
Is My Business Suitable for Franchising?
Determining if your business is franchise-ready requires more than a good product or service: it demands proven profitability, systems that can be replicated, and a brand that franchisees are excited to invest in.
We conduct a Franchise Feasibility Assessment to evaluate:
- Your current unit economics and profitability.
- How easily your systems can be documented and taught.
- The scalability of your supply chain.
- Your competitive advantages in the marketplace.
Whether you’re a first-time franchisor or an established brand exploring new territories, our process identifies your strengths and addresses potential weaknesses before launch.
What Is the Investment Required to Launch a Franchise Programme?
The investment to create a franchise system typically ranges from €25,000 to €100,000, depending on your starting point, sector, and growth ambitions. This covers building the essential foundations: legal agreements, operations manuals, training systems, marketing assets, and recruitment processes, to ensure your network is set up for long-term success.
Not every brand needs everything at once. If you already have certain elements in place or only need help with specific aspects, such as marketing or operations, the investment can be significantly less. We also offer bespoke packages and flexible payment plans, allowing you to spread the cost over time while you focus on your vision and growing your brand.
Our goal is to make franchising accessible and sustainable, helping you structure fees and royalties that are competitive in your sector, attractive to franchisees, and profitable for you as the franchisor.
What Types of Businesses Succeed in Franchising?
Almost any business model can be franchised: we’ve worked with food & beverage, education, retail, professional services, health & wellness, automotive, property services, and more.
The common success factors are:
- Proven concept with strong local demand.
- Replicable systems that allow consistent quality.
- Ongoing innovation to keep the brand competitive.
- Franchisee support culture from the central hub.
We’ve seen everything from a one-location coffee shop grow into a 100+ location powerhouse, to niche B2B services expanding across multiple countries.
How Will My Role Change When I Franchise?
Franchising transforms your role from “hands-on operator” to strategic leader and brand guardian. Your time will shift towards:
- Recruiting and onboarding franchisees.
- Leading network-wide marketing and promotional activity.
- Maintaining and evolving operational systems.
- Supporting franchisees with training, field visits, and performance reviews.
The central hub becomes the engine of your network: providing marketing muscle, new opening support, and a platform for collaboration between franchisees.
What Support Will I Need to Give Franchisees?
Successful franchise systems provide both initial and ongoing support, including:
- Comprehensive onboarding and training.
- Pre-opening site selection and launch marketing.
- Regular operational audits and performance reviews.
- National/regional campaigns and PR support.
- Annual conferences and success-sharing events.
The stronger your support systems, the stronger your network’s performance.
Who Are Potential Partners in Expansion Markets?
In new territories, we identify and secure master franchisees, area developers, or multi-unit operators who have:
- Deep local market knowledge.
- Proven operational experience.
- The capital to scale your brand.
- Commitment to uphold brand standards.
Through our global network of industry connections, we can match you with partners who fit your brand’s DNA.
How Does FMS Europe's Experience Help Me?
We don’t just design franchise systems: we build them for performance. Our experience means we can:
- Anticipate issues before they arise.
- Apply best practices from hundreds of different sectors and markets.
- Shorten your learning curve dramatically.
- Give you the right tools and roadmap to thrive.
Whether your goal is five franchises in your home country or 200 units across multiple continents, we have the experience and the network to get you there.
Have a question that’s not here?
Speak to our consultants and get personalised, experience-backed advice on your franchise journey.