The food and beverages industry is one of the biggest industries that there is. Everyone both loves and needs food and it is therefore no surprise to see that in the United Kingdom the food and beverage industry is worth around 30 billion pounds a year, and in the United States the figure is a staggering $558 billion per annum.

Due to the size of the industry it is no surprise that one of the most popular areas to purchase a franchise is in the food and drinks sector.

There are many different types of food franchises; these include: fast food restaurants, ice cream parlors, mobile food stalls, bakeries, healthy eating stores; to name but a few. Many well known fast food outlets offer franchise opportunities in their efforts to expand and build their brand names. For example McDonalds, pizza hut and Kentucky Fried Chicken are all franchised companies.

Operating a food franchise has many advantages, such as:

* Demand for food – we need to eat; there will always be a market to sell food, whatever the state of the economy.
* High success rate – If you buy into a successful franchise then as long as you work hard the business is likely to be successful. This is the research required for successfully opening up in a given location should have been carried out by the franchisor.
* Support – an advantage of purchasing a food or drink franchise is the support given by the franchisor. Setting up a business is not to be taken lightly, and the helpful advice and training that is given will go a long way in helping you set up a successful business.

There are of course downsides to purchasing a franchise:

* Lack of freedom – a price that pays with a franchise is that set procedures must be followed; this helps to protect their brand.
* Fee and royalties, – It can be very expensive to purchase a franchise in a well known business, and you will give a portion of your profits over each year.