While stuffing themselves over the festive period, many budding entrepreneurs will have considered purchasing a restaurant franchise as advertised on FranchisesForsale.co.uk
This week some of the UK’s most successful restaurateurs have discussed the biggest trends and challenges facing restaurant franchises in the coming year.
David Moore of Pied a Terre highlights economic uncertainty as at the forefront of food franchisees’ minds.
He believes that the meal voucher battles of the bigger chain restaurants will rage on as food inflation is at an all-time high.
However, these price challenges will lead to innovation, with owners and chefs thinking creatively in order to manage their margins.
Informal dining continues to grow, and we may see an increase in New York-style food trucks driving around cities providing delicacies. Moore also believes that there may be demand for different type of tapas-style franchises such as Italian, Nordic and Indian cuisine.
Tracey Rogers of Unilever Foods sees restaurant customers as savvier than ever before.
She advises restaurants owners that they must recycle food wastage, in light of the Government’s new Responsibility Deal which comes into force in March 2012.
However these challenges should not deter franchisees.
Affordable restaurant franchises will be more immune to future cost hikes of expensive ingredients. Also, large chains face better economies of scale as greater quantities of food can be bought at cheaper prices.
And in this year restaurant franchisees may find that their meals are cheaper than the cost of a home-cooked meal!
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There may be demand for different type of tapas-style franchises such as Italian, Nordic and Indian cuisine
The latest FranchiseSales survey has revealed that food franchises are increasing in popularity among potential franchisees.
34% of those surveyed saw fast food as the leading franchise they were interested in owning, an increase in popularity since the beginning of last year.
All potential franchisees surveyed were asked what they most wanted from a franchise.
56% of would-be franchisees required a sector that is relatively recession-proof.
And a further 56% also wanted the potential to become wealthy. Finally, 54% want to run a well-known brand.
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