How Long It Really Took to Franchise The Busylizzy Club

Challenge

When we set out to franchise The Busylizzy Club, we assumed it would take around six months to find and onboard our first franchisee. In reality, the recruitment happened much faster than expected. A loyal customer came forward almost immediately, wanting to open a nearby territory. What we didn’t anticipate was how long it would take to get them fully operational and profitable.

Our first franchisee needed more than just a business model. They needed marketing support, a sales process, basic systems training and far more hand-holding than we had prepared for. They were passionate and committed, but green — and the responsibility to guide them fell entirely on us.

We didn’t have the onboarding structure, support materials or operational playbooks in place. We found ourselves stepping away from our main business to support one new franchisee. That moment was a wake-up call. Without the right support infrastructure, we couldn’t grow.

Solution

It took time, mistakes and a lot of late nights to build the foundations that would allow our network to grow with confidence. We had to shift our focus from just “selling a franchise” to building a model that actually set people up for success. That meant investing in better onboarding. Clear guides. Sales scripts. Marketing templates. Support frameworks. Systems. Processes. Checklists. Real business infrastructure.

We also had to rethink how we worked. At first, we believed we could do everything ourselves and franchise on a shoestring — maybe £5,000. But building a truly scalable model requires much more. Most brands looking to franchise don’t have six figures to spend. That’s why, today, we do things differently.

At Familia, we support clients on a fractional basis. We become part of your team, working in partnership to share knowledge, accelerate progress and avoid costly mistakes. There are no huge upfront fees, just clear advice and flexible support when and where you need it.

Result

We grew The Busylizzy Club from a single location in Guildford to more than 35 clubs across the UK, with international expansion into Ireland and the UAE. But it didn’t happen overnight. It took strong foundations, a clear strategy and support systems designed to scale.

That’s what we help other brands build today. Whether you’re just starting out or ready to grow, we bring practical experience, honest advice and hands-on help at every stage.

Franchising is a brilliant way to grow. But it only works when the foundations are solid. We learned that the hard way — so you don’t have to.

That’s why we created Familia. We don’t just consult. We become part of your team, your trusted sounding board, your experienced pair of hands. Think of us as your franchise family — here to guide you, challenge you and support you every step of the way.