Doing business as a franchise: an opportunity for seniors
Press release - November 2023
With the employment rate of older people in France being below the European average (56.9% compared to 62.4% in 2022)(1), entrepreneurship seems to be an increasingly appealing option. “Silver entrepreneurs” are choosing to take the leap, motivated by their desire for professional reorientation, difficulties in finding employment, the need to top up their pension or the ambition to finally dare to be an entrepreneur. In the lead-up to Franchise Expo Paris, to be held from 16 to 18 March 2024 at Paris Porte de Versailles, we take a closer look at the benefits of franchising for seniors.
Experience: a real benefit for entrepreneurship
On the strength of their professional experience, many seniors are now embarking on entrepreneurship to round off their career. In France, one fifth of companies are set up by 50-64-year-olds (2). The main reasons for this are professional maturity and the strength of a network built up over the years, which make it easier to take on this new challenge.
Franchising, a comfortable opportunity for seniors
Becoming an entrepreneur in your senior years can be complicated: problems getting a loan, financial risk, difficulty in making a name for yourself, loneliness, etc., but franchising gives seniors the choice of a reassuring and safe business model.
It offers an excellent balance between independence and support. As a franchisee, silver entrepreneurs are responsible for managing their franchise, but with the support and expertise of their franchisor to ensure the brand is in good hands. Training is one of the advantages of franchising and is 64% of franchisees (3) take courses. The franchising system also reduces the element of risk in launching an entrepreneurial project. By opting for a tried and tested concept, the franchisee benefits from the image and reputation of a brand known by both the general public and financial bodies. Indeed, banks may be more reluctant to grant loans to seniors, therefore the strength of the franchise network provides real influence. In 2021, 66% of franchisees believed that being a franchisee helped them to secure their loan (4).
Proximity, the watchword for seniors in franchising
More and more seniors are starting their own businesses and are drawn to several sectors: mass retail, personal services and specialist shops.
The food sector is the most attractive in terms of franchise revenue5 and mass retail in particular plays a key role. There are many opportunities for entrepreneurship, such as convenience stores, delicatessens and wine shops, and popularity is increasing. Specialist shops, such as florists, stationers, bookshops, etc., also come into the mix.
Home help services are another prime sector for silver entrepreneurs who care about others. Childcare and services for the elderly are two areas undergoing rapid expansion, with an increase in the number of brands (+6% in 2022 compared to 2019) (4).
Brands at Franchise Expo Paris 2024
Mass retail:
KHADISPAL, PROMOCASH, COCCIMARKET, PANIER SYMPA, MY AUCHAN, MONOP’*, CASINO SHOP, LE PETIT CASINO, SPAR*, VIVAL, SUPECO, COCCINELLE, MONOPRIX*, FRANPRIX*, CASINO SUPERMARCHÉS*, CARREFOUR PROXIMITE, COEUR DE FRAIS, AUCHAN HYPERMARCHE, NETTO, CARREFOUR MARKET, AUCHAN SUPERMARCHÉ*, INTERMARCHÉ
Food retailers:
AUGUSTIN, MARIETTE, PAUL*, DREAMS DONUTS, FOURNIL DE PIERRE, BOULANGERIE FEUILLETTE, BOULANGERIE SOPHIE LEBREUILLY*, MAISON BECAM, DONUTS & DONUTS, L'ATELIER PAPILLES, FIRMIN*, LAND & MONKEYS, MARIE BLACHERE, LA MIE CÂLINE*, BRIOCHE DORÉE*, BOULANGERIE ANGE, INTER CAVES, CAVAVIN, LA FABRIQUE GIVREE, HAAGEN-DAZS, YOGURT FACTORY, LA FABRIQUE COOKIES, BACIO NERO, RÉAUTÉ CHOCOLAT, JEFF DE BRUGES*, LEONIDAS*, DE NEUVILLE*, COUTUME, A TAVOLA !, GONG CHA, PASTA DASEMPRE, CBWEED, LA VIE CLAIRE*, NATURALIA, PICARD*
Specialist shops:
TOM&CO, VAPOSTORE, EASY CASH*, CASH EXPRESS*, OYA FLEURS*, CARREMENT FLEURS*, LE JARDIN DES FLEURS*, FNAC*, PULSAT, HUBSIDE STORE, DARTY*, PHOX, JOUECLUB !, 5ÀSEC*, LE KIOSQUE À LINGE, LMS, ATOME 3D, EXPERIMENTAL PARK, TEAM APPROVED, PADD, POMPES FUNEBRES DE FRANCE, LA FOIR'FOUILLE, MARCHE AUX AFFAIRES, BAZARLAND
Home help / personal services:
PRIMO CONCIERGERIE, QUALITY PISCINE, HOMEBOX*, MONDIALBOX, LES PETITS BILINGUES, LES BIENVEILLANTS, WILD CHILD, MERCI +*, FAMILY CRECHE, LE P'TIT EMILE, KOALA KIDS, HOME PRIVILEGES, APEF*, LA MAIN TENDUE, VIVASERVICES, FAMILY SPHERE*, O2 CARE SERVICE*, MILLEPATTE, MAISON ET SERVICES, Ô P'TIT MÔME, KANGOUROU KIDS, ESSENTIEL & DOMICILE, CALLIHOP, BABYCHOU SERVICES*, HUBLISS, LES MENUS SERVICES*, AGE D'OR SERVICES*, AXEO SERVICES*, LA CABANE D’ACHILLE ET CAMILLE*, CENTRE SERVICES*, DOMetVIE*
List at 03/10/2023
* FFF members
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(1) According to Dares - Seniors on the employment market in 2022
(2) According to France Stratégie – How do businesses created by seniors perform?
(3) According to the 19th annual survey on franchising by BPCE and the Fédération Française de la Franchise
(4) According to the 18th annual survey on franchising by BPCE and the Fédération Française de la Franchise
5 According to indicators regarding France 2023 by the Fédération Française de la Franchise
About the French Franchising Federation
A major player in the dynamism of the French economy, the French Franchising Federation is the professional federation of franchisors and their franchisees since 1971. It represents the franchising model, a model of entrepreneurship based on the transfer of know-how and the sharing of value. Its role is to promote, defend and perpetuate the franchise model, but also to federate its ecosystem and create the tools and the environment for the development and performance of franchise networks. In 1981, the French Franchise Federation created the Franchise Expo Paris exhibition, which has since become a major annual international franchising event.
In France, franchising accounts for 1,972 networks, 84,497 franchised outlets, for a turnover of more than 76.6 billion euros. The activity generates 828,178 jobs (direct and indirect). In 2009, the FFF created the Acadélmie de la Franchise, the first training organisation for franchising professions, whose services are aimed at future franchisees, but also to future and current franchisors.
Find out more at: www.franchise-fff.com
About Infopro Digital
Infopro Digital is a B2B group specializing in information and technology. Ranked as the 8th largest technology group in France, the group is present in 18 countries and employs nearly 4,000 people. Its innovative solutions are aimed at professional communities in five key economic sectors: Construction & Public Sector, Automotive, Risk & Insurance, Industry, and Retail. Thanks to the group’s sector-specific expertise, Infopro Digital covers all the needs of professionals. Its solutions enable decision-makers to make informed decisions and companies to sustainably develop their business and performance.
Find out more at: www.infopro-digital.com
About Tous entrepreneurs
This media dedicated to entrepreneurship and franchising has been designed to allow entrepreneurs and aspiring business owners to find all the information they need to build and develop their project all year round. They can find testimonials, practical advice, expert opinions and all useful information on business creation.
This media platform, which is affiliated to the Franchise Expo Paris exhibition, also focuses on franchising and its advantages.
Find out more at: www.tousentrepreneurs.com
FRANCHISE EXPO PARIS PRESS OFFICE
Media enquiries
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