It is at this time of year that the industry starts to look for the latest results from the annual NatWest/bfa Franchise Survey, which has now been running for 27 years and the become the key indicator of the health and change of franchising.
So with the survey set to show us how 2011 stands after three tough economic years, it is intriguing to reflect on what changes we have seen in the best part of 30 years of the industry.
Three decades ago, the British Franchise Association (bfa) was only a few years old, having been set up in 1977 by eight founding members – and the World Franchise Council was still a decade away from being established. At the same time, Sir Bernard Ingham, now the President of the bfa, had a very different role as Chief Press Secretary to Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher. More.