Self‐employment or Self‐exploitation: The Case of Franchising

Business format franchising has vast job creation potential. A 1984 survey commissioned by the British Franchise Association predicted that at least 280,000 jobs will be created in the next five years in the UK as a result of franchising. Reasons for its growth include the lack of theoretical work involved, “being your own boss”, and the potential for large profit margins. In this context, the British government's insistence that real jobs can only come from creating marketable goods and services is somewhat exasperating. However most franchises are fast‐food outlets, the market for which is now beginning to look saturated.