In 2025, the franchise sector’s turnover will reach 39 billion euros (+8%)
There has been an increase in the number of employees. The sector accounts for 1.7 per cent of GDP
by Enrico Netti
“Franchising in Italy has extraordinary strength but has not yet fully realised its potential,” said Massimiliano Maffioli, president of Assofranchising, yesterday, giving *Il Sole 24 Ore* a preview of the figures from the “Assofranchising Italia 2026 Report. Structures, Trends and Scenarios’, produced by Patrigest in collaboration with Teha Group and presented today at the Franchising Summit 2026 –. The prospects for growth remain extensive and tangible, provided we continue to strengthen the sector’s collective efforts and raise awareness of this business model.”
The report highlights that in 2025, the value of sales at franchised outlets reached 39 billion euros, an increase of 8% on the previous year. This represents 1.7% of GDP, a sign that the sector is entering a phase of consolidation. The number of outlets remained broadly stable at 62,449, compared with 62,902 in 2024 (-1%) but employment has grown significantly, with over 327,000 employees (+12%), averaging more than 5 employees per outlet.
Sales are driven mainly by large-scale retail, clothing and catering chains – major sectors which together account for 75 per cent of total turnover. The report highlights that almost two-thirds of the chains have fewer than 50 outlets, in contrast to a small number – 7% – of large chains with between 200 and 500 shops.
Among the most dynamic sectors are large-scale retail, personal care, health, pet care, motoring and repairs. As a rough guide, the average budget for setting up a franchise business is around 120,000 euros, a figure that is one of the main barriers preventing people from considering franchising as a career opportunity. Brands are increasingly looking abroad: 41 per cent of Italian brands already have a presence abroad, and a further 20 per cent plan to embark on a path of international expansion over the next three years.
In Italia, sales growth in the organised retail sector is taking place despite an economic climate characterised by constant uncertainty, which is prompting consumers to be extremely selective. In fact, 61 per cent of Italians, driven by the need to recoup some of the purchasing power eroded by inflation and high energy prices, carefully select the products and services on which to focus their non-essential spending, favouring rewarding solutions that are perceived as distinctive and of value.
