How Much are UK Entrepreneurs Willing to Invest in 2025? New Survey Reveals Surprising Trends
Many entrepreneurs in the UK are turning towards the stable business model of franchising during a difficult time for business, according to a new survey by BusinessesForSale.com and The Franchise Exhibitions.
With businesses facing uncertainty surrounding tariffs and global trade, as well as increased operating costs, many entrepreneurs are choosing the stability of a proven business model over the risk of a startup.
The survey of 169 investors found that there were more first-time franchisees than serial entrepreneurs, and that a large portion of these fell into the 35-54 age bracket. This suggests a growing trend of individuals moving towards franchising in the middle stages of their career – possibly as part of a career shift or following a redundancy.
When asked what they value most in a potential investment, respondents to the survey cited the support and training offered by franchisors as the most important factor in their decision. During an unpredictable period for the economy, going it alone can be a scary prospect and the guidance offered by franchisors is highly valued.
How much money are UK entrepreneurs willing to invest in 2025?
When asked how much money they would be willing to invest in a franchise, the most common response (30%) was between £20,000 and £50,000. A further 25% said they would invest between £50,000 and £100,000, while another 15% of respondents said they would invest more than £100,000.
This shows that there is still appetite for high-value franchises, but low-cost franchises are the most popular investment of choice. Compared to previous years, the amount of money entrepreneurs are willing to invest was lower – but only slightly. A 2022 survey by BusinessesForSale.com, for example, found that a greater percentage of people were willing to invest between £100,000 and £250,000.
Women and young people are choosing to invest more
The survey also revealed some interesting statistics about the kinds of people who are considering investing their money into a franchise in 2025. Compared to previous years, there were a greater number of investors in their twenties and early thirties, with 10% of respondents falling into the 25-34 age bracket.
There was also a significant increase in the percentage of female investors – up from 15% in 2022 to 33% in 2025. These figures suggest that a more diverse range of people are considering investing in a business or franchise as a route to financial stability.
What is stopping people from investing?
When asked what could hold them back from choosing to invest in a franchise, some people cited ‘concerns about the economy’ and ‘access to funding’ as two of their biggest blockers. The most common response by a long distance, however, was ‘finding the right franchise brand’. This suggests that visibility, and standing out from the crowd amid a variety of investment opportunities, could be the biggest challenge faced by businesses in 2025.
Advertising a franchise on BusinessesForSale.com and meeting new investors face to face at an event organized by The Franchise Exhibitions are two powerful ways for business owners to connect with potential investors. The National Franchise Exhibition is taking place from 3-4 October 2025 at the NEC, Birmingham.