The first results of the twentieth edition of the annual franchise survey carried out by Banque Populaire in partnership with Kantar were published at the beginning of March, and offer valuable insights into current trends.
What do we learn?
On the franchise model
First of all, the entrepreneurial model continues to seduce, as 32% of French people would like to start their own business.
And to do so, 43% would consider franchising as a suitable model. This trend is also attractive to young people, with the proportion rising to 60% among 18-24 year-olds.
What’s the profile of franchisees?
Let’s start with an eloquent and reassuring figure: 92% of franchisees surveyed recommend the franchise model.
So what’s the profile of future franchisees?
First of all, 76% of those who decide to go into franchising are former employees, and 48% of franchisees have changed sector from their previous activity.
The percentage of female franchisees continues to rise, from 31% in 2021 to 39% in 2023.
Franchising is attracting all levels of education: 40% have a CAP, BEP, Bac pro or Bac; 41% a Bac +2/3 and 19% a Bac +4 or higher.
The main qualities of a franchisee would be:
- Be a good manager (55%),
- To know how to manage (54%) and
- To be commercially minded (53%).
Geographically, franchises are spread across the country, with two regions in the lead: the South-East (26%) and the West (26%). Most franchisees opened their franchise in the same department as their previous business (61%), or more generally in the same region (79%).
Franchisees also set up relatively early, opening their first point of sale at an average age of 37.
And franchisors?
Development takes time: 84% of franchisors have opened at least one franchise point of sale in the last 12 months.
And an average of 11 franchised point of sale were opened last year.
Franchising is also an enduring model, as 74% of franchises have been in business for 15 years or more.
When it comes to choosing franchisees, it’s worth noting that 63% of franchisors surveyed prefer to select from among the network’s employees.
Another interesting point for understanding the support offered by franchisors today:
- New franchisees receive extensive support, with an average of 37 days’ training, and 77% of franchisors say they have strengthened their training;
- 64% of franchisors encourage coaching or mentoring for new franchisees;
- 72% of franchisors implement tools to help franchisees recruit or retain employees.
And to explore the subject further, you can read the mini-summary on this topic: https://www.img.banquepopulaire.fr/app/uploads/sites/5/2024/02/29121912/mini-synthese-banque-populaire-1-la-franchise-un-choix-gagnant.pdf
Interesting point: The Fédération Française de la Franchise will publish a monthly focus on a theme arising from this survey.
