Starting a franchise: step-by-step plan, costs and rules

By Gijs Bodenstaff · Updated: 2026-10-04

Starting a franchise means that, as an independent entrepreneur, you operate an existing franchise brand: you get the brand, the way of working and support, and you pay the franchisor a fee in return. There is plenty of choice: according to the Dutch Franchise Association (NFV), the Netherlands had 936 franchise brands with 34,937 locations between them in 2025. Below you will find the step-by-step plan, the costs, financing and the legal ground rules.

How many franchise brands and franchise locations are there in the Netherlands?

For reference year 2025, the NFV counted 936 brands, 34,937 locations, €50.5 billion in turnover (excluding VAT) and 438,800 people in work. Around 80% of the brands are SMEs with no more than 50 locations. So you often join a brand that is still growing. See also which franchise brands exist.

Franchising in the Netherlands by sector (NFV, reference year 2025)
Sector	Brands	Locations	Turnover
Food retail	114	7,536	€21.9bn
Non-food retail	180	7,713	€13.5bn
Hospitality	157	4,228	€5.2bn
Services	375	9,721	€4.7bn
Care	38	2,201	€2.8bn
Other	72	3,538	€2.4bn
Total	936	34,937	€50.5bn

Which steps do you take to start a franchise?

Anyone who wants to start a franchise goes through roughly eight steps. Start with yourself and the basics: understand what a franchise is and what you can and cannot decide yourself. Above all, do not skip the boring steps.

Step-by-step plan for starting a franchise
Step	What you do
1. Self-assessment	Decide on budget, hours and preferred sector
2. Orientation	Compare brands, visit a fair
3. Introductions	Talk to franchisors and existing franchisees
4. Information	Receive the legally required disclosure
5. Business plan	Work out your own forecast and investment
6. Financing	Arrange own contribution, loan and guarantee
7. Signing	Have the contract reviewed, four-week standstill
8. Opening	Training, premises, fit-out and local marketing

Step-by-step plan for starting a franchise in eight steps, from self-assessment and orientation to financing, contract and opening — The step-by-step plan for starting a franchise: from self-assessment to opening your location.

What do franchises cost and how do you finance the start?

Costs vary widely from brand to brand. A French market study from 2025 covering 21 franchise brands gives an idea of the ranges. Note: this is a French sample and Dutch franchise brands may differ considerably. You will find every cost item and a worked example on the page about what a franchise costs.

Indicative franchise costs (French market study 2025, 21 brands)
Cost item	Range	Most common
Initial fee (entry fee)	€0 to €50,000	€20,000 to €45,000
Royalties	0% to 9% of turnover	4% to 6%
Marketing contribution	0% to 3% of turnover	Varies by brand
Own contribution	Varies by brand	€25,000 to €150,000
Total investment, mid-market	€150,000 to €530,000	Varies by sector
Break-even	Varies by brand	18 to 24 months

Financing: which routes are available?

For smaller amounts there is the Qredits microcredit of up to €50,000, and for larger amounts the SME credit of €50,000 to €250,000, both with a term of 1 to 10 years. Through your lender you can also use the BMKB: the Dutch government then guarantees 90% of the BMKB loan, up to a maximum of €1.5 million. Short on savings? Read how to approach starting a franchise without equity realistically.

No time or expertise in-house? Leave your franchise marketing to us.

Ask Gijs a question Call 06 - 38 04 83 47

What are the ways to get started in franchising?

You do not always have to start from scratch. You can open a new location, take over a franchise from a departing franchisee, or choose a home-based franchise without retail premises. If hospitality is your thing, you can start a hospitality franchise.

Routes into franchising compared
Route	Strength	Point of attention
New location	You build everything yourself, with a clean slate	Start-up period without regular customers
Taking over an existing location	Customers, staff and figures are already in place	The franchisor must approve; due diligence needed
Home-based franchise	Lower fixed costs, no premises	Local visibility has to come from online
Hospitality franchise	Average turnover of €1.23m per location	Average of 26.8 people in work per location

Which legal rules apply when you start a franchise?

The Dutch Franchise Act has applied since 1 January 2021. Article 7:911 of the Dutch Civil Code defines franchising as the right and the obligation to operate a franchise system in return for a fee. The franchisor must give you information in advance, including on fees and the investments required of you (Articles 7:913 and 7:916 of the Dutch Civil Code). This is followed by a four-week standstill period before the agreement may be signed. Changes to the franchise system with financial consequences above an agreed threshold require franchisee consent (Article 7:921 of the Dutch Civil Code). Have your contract reviewed by a franchise lawyer; this is not legal advice.

Is being a franchisee right for you?

Franchising is entrepreneurship within set boundaries. You carry the financial risk yourself, but you follow the system. That suits you if you enjoy executing and improving. On the page about becoming a franchisee you can read which profile franchisors look for and how their selection works. Expect ongoing fees, even in a bad month, and a contract that binds you for several years.

How do you assess the local marketing of a franchise chain?

A national brand says little about how findable your own location is. In our Local SEO Benchmark Franchise Ketens 2026 (500 Google Business Profiles from 100 chains), only 40% of the profiles were fully completed, and 6 out of 100 chains responded to reviews within 24 hours. So ask the brand how it handles local marketing for each location: who manages the profile, who answers reviews and what do you pay for it? In doubt? Get in touch with us.

Are you a franchisor? Read how to recruit franchisees

This section is written for prospective franchisees, but it also shows which questions they ask. If you are a franchisor looking for entrepreneurs for new locations, read how to approach recruiting franchisees with online marketing, with honest information that answers these questions.

Frequently asked questions about starting a franchise

How long does it take to start a franchise?

There is no fixed lead time; it depends on the brand, the location and your financing. One period is fixed, though: after the franchisor has provided the legally required information, a four-week standstill period applies before you may sign the franchise agreement.

Starting a franchise: how many franchise brands are there in the Netherlands?

According to the NFV franchise statistics for reference year 2025, there were 936 franchise brands with 34,937 locations between them. Together they generated €50.5 billion in turnover excluding VAT. Around 80% of the brands are SMEs, with no more than 50 locations per brand.

Starting a franchise: which sector has the most franchise brands?

Services has the most brands, with 375 brands and 9,721 locations, according to the NFV figures for 2025. Non-food retail follows with 180 brands and hospitality with 157. Most turnover is in food retail: €21.9 billion across 114 brands and 7,536 locations.

Do you need sector experience to start a franchise?

Each franchisor decides that for its own brand. Many brands train new franchisees themselves, because the way of working is fixed. Entrepreneurship and reading figures often count for more than trade knowledge. Ask during the introductory meeting what experience is expected and what training you will receive.

Is starting a franchise less risky than starting your own business?

You start with a known brand and a proven way of working. But you remain an independent entrepreneur and carry the financial risk yourself. On top of that, you pay ongoing fees, even when things go badly. Whether the risk is lower depends on the brand, the location and your own plan.

What information must the franchisor give you in advance?

Under the Dutch Franchise Act, the franchisor must give you information before signing, including on the fees you pay and the investments required of you. A four-week standstill period then applies. Have your contract reviewed by a franchise lawyer; this is not legal advice.

When do you earn back the investment in a franchise?

A French market study from 2025 covering 21 franchise brands puts break-even at typically 18 to 24 months. That is a French sample and Dutch brands may differ. Ask the franchisor for figures from existing locations and work through your own forecast cautiously, with a buffer for the start-up period.

Where can you find franchise brands looking for new franchisees?

Start with the NFV member list, which shows affiliated brands. A franchise fair is useful for speaking to several franchisors in a single day. Also check the websites of the brands themselves, where you will often find the available regions and the selection procedure.

Which marketing questions should you ask before signing?

Ask how the brand handles local marketing for each location. Who manages the Google Business Profile, who answers reviews and where does the marketing contribution go? In our benchmark of 100 chains, only 40% of profiles were fully completed. Clear answers say a lot about the support you will get.

Can you start a franchise with a loan?

Yes, most franchisees finance part of it with a loan. Qredits offers microcredit of up to €50,000 and SME credit of €50,000 to €250,000, with a term of 1 to 10 years. A BMKB guarantee through your lender is also possible. How much own contribution is needed varies by bank and brand.

Sources

Gijs Bodenstaff
Franchise marketer, local SEO and GEO specialist, author

Looking for a matching franchise brand in the Netherlands? Try Franchise-starten.nl (in Dutch).

Not sure which step to take next? Start with the step-by-step plan, then read the page that fits your situation.