Amid the worst recession since the 1930s the total number of franchisors actually rose last year.
Although total industry turnover was estimated to have fallen by 7% in 2009, to £10.6bn, more than 20 new franchises were launched and the total number of franchisors in the UK rose by 2%, according to an annual franchising market report from Key Note.
The value of the franchise market is expected to increase by 1.4% this year. Key Note predicts year-on-year growth will take this total to around £11.69bn by 2014.
The number of women buying franchises has grown, likewise the number of Asians, with nearly a fifth of new franchise purchases being made by people of an Asian background.
The report also notes a growing trend of UK franchisors setting up overseas.
