Entrepreneurship, Europe, Jobs, Startups, United Kingdom

BFA doubles down on youth franchising campaign at Ideas Fest 2026

12 August 2026

Image credit: The BFA (British Franchise Association)

Editorial Brief

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The British Franchise Association (BFA) and Elite Franchise are partnering to return to Ideas Fest in September 2026, aiming to educate young people about franchising. The event will feature a 'Franchise Launch Pad' and panel discussions to engage attendees, following findings that many people learn about franchising later in life and wish it were taught in schools. This initiative seeks to introduce franchising concepts to a younger audience and foster entrepreneurial interest.

EDITORIAL INSIGHT: Context, industry insight and market perspectives of this news story

The decision by the British Franchise Association to expand its youth-focused educational campaign at Ideas Fest 2026 aligns with a broader push to introduce business ownership models to younger audiences. With recent polling suggesting that most people only learn about franchising in their thirties, the BFA’s efforts to reach potential entrepreneurs earlier reflect a practical response to knowledge gaps within the sector.

For the franchise industry, attracting younger entrants is increasingly relevant as established brands look to secure growth and succession in a market where demographic shifts and changing career expectations are influencing business formation. By targeting a festival-style event designed to engage a younger demographic, the BFA is positioning franchising as a viable career and business pathway at a stage when many are considering their options.

Story Ideas

Industry trend

The Push for Franchising Education in Schools

The BFA's recent poll indicates a strong desire among members for franchising to be taught in formal education settings, prompting the launch of new educational resources. This move could signal a shift in how entrepreneurship is introduced to young people, potentially impacting future business landscapes.

Target audience: education-focused media, business publications
Story potential: 7/10

Human interest

Youth Engagement in Entrepreneurship: The Role of Ideas Fest

Ideas Fest's unique festival-style format aims to attract and educate young potential entrepreneurs about franchising. This approach may redefine how business events engage younger demographics, offering a blend of entertainment and education.

Target audience: youth-focused publications, lifestyle magazines
Story potential: 6/10

Press Release

England, 12 August 2026

The BFA (British Franchise Association) and Elite Franchise have announced they are partnering up for a return to Ideas Fest in September 2026.

Ideas Fest, which launched in 2025, is designed like a festival, including onsite camping, glamping and evening entertainment, to appeal to a younger audience.

The event expects to draw over 6,000 delegates and 200 expert speakers to the two-day event in the Hertfordshire countryside.

Successful founders

Ticket holders this year will have the chance to hear from some of the UK’s most successful business founders such as Simon Woodroffe OBE (YO! Sushi), Sir Richard Harpin, (Homeserve), Laura Tenison (JoJo Maman Bébé) and Louise Hill (Go Henry).

BFA’s educational agenda

The BFA is currently engaged in an ongoing campaign to educate younger people about franchising.

In a recent poll[1] of its 2,500 members,[2] it was revealed that the average age they found out about franchising was 33, and for 37% of them, that was through work. In another poll 95.8% of respondents said they thought franchising should be taught in a formal education setting, either school or college/university, or both.

In response the BFA is launching an educational resource pack for members to use to deliver information sessions in their local areas.

Franchise Launch Pad

In light of the poll results and following the success of their 2025 visit, from 9-10 September 2026 the BFA will be co-hosting a ‘Franchise Launch Pad’ stand with Elite Franchise at the event, in a bid to educate a new generation of entrepreneurs about business format franchising.

Panel discussions

Alongside hosting the stand, filled with expert staff and information about franchising, the BFA and Elite Franchise will be hosting two Q&A panel discussions in the ‘Greenhouse’ marquee at 10am and 2pm each day, entitled ‘Thinking about becoming a franchisee – stop dreaming start deciding’ and ‘Thinking about franchising your business.’

Expert franchising guests

Guest panelists will include: Lisa Stead, CEO, Stagecoach, Liam Hobbs, owner, More Than Loft Ladders, Natalia Shvarts from Excello Law, Suzie McCafferty from Platinum Wave Franchising and Rachel Brooks from Swimtime.

Positive conversations

Pip Wilkins QFP, CEO of the BFA said: “When we attended Ideas Fest for the first time in 2025 we didn’t know quite what to expect, but we had a fantastic time and had some great conversations with people thinking about buying a franchise or franchising their existing business. Second year in and we’re very excited to be playing a larger part with the Franchise Launch Pad this year, alongside our friends at Elite Franchise. With such a young demographic, Ideas Fest is the perfect place for us to redouble our efforts to introduce the concept of franchising to younger people and keep having those meaningful conversations.”

To find out more about buying a franchise or franchising your business visit www.thebfa.org

To buy a ticket to Ideas Fest visit https://ideasfest.uk/price-lock?_kx=UhoVbjiDv-JkGfUi2oRUUZr3f_9kokc_QRPb2zM9suk.QTPWBq

[1] Of those who responded

[2] The BFA’s members are made up of franchisors, franchisees who voluntarily choose to join, advisors and suppliers.

Notes to editors

Notes to Editor

The BFA (British Franchise Association) is the voluntary self-regulating governing body for franchising formed in 1977 by the major franchising organisations looking to accredit and promote those franchise systems that meet the strict ethical and business criteria of a good franchise.

The term ‘franchising’ has been used to describe many different forms of business relationships, including licensing, distributor, and agency arrangements. The more popular use of the term has arisen from the development of what is called ‘business format franchising.’

Business format franchising is the granting of a license by one person (the franchisor) to another (the franchisee), which entitles the franchisee to trade under the trademark/trade name of the franchisor and to make use of an entire package, comprising all the elements necessary to establish a previously untrained person in the business and to run it with continual assistance on a predetermined basis.