Business Valuations
Know your worth
Independent, bank-approved business valuations from people who understand the franchise factor
A valuation is the number everything else gets built on: the price a buyer may pay, the funding a lender may release and the confidence a franchisor needs before approving a transaction.
Get it wrong, in either direction, and every stage that follows becomes harder.
Undervalue the business and you may give money away before a buyer has even made an offer.
Overvalue it and buyers lose confidence, negotiations stall or a lender’s underwriting team identifies the gap at the worst possible point in the process.
Proof, not promises
Trusted by lenders, tested in real decisions
Anyone can describe a valuation as credible… the real test is whether other people are prepared to rely on it.
Independent high street banks have all confirmed that our valuations are credible and trustworthy for funding decisions. They test the figures, assumptions and affordability behind franchise valuations, and our reports are prepared to withstand that scrutiny.
A valuation does not guarantee funding – the lender will still complete its own credit, security and affordability assessment.
But the valuation itself should not be the weak point in the application.
Independence
Why independence matters
In much of franchising, valuation is treated as a bolt-on to resale.
The person recommending the asking price may also be trying to win the sale instruction. That can create pressure to produce the number the seller wants to hear rather than the one the evidence supports.
We don’t work that way.
Valuation is a distinct service, not simply the first stage of securing a resale mandate.
You can instruct us whether or not you intend to sell, and there is no requirement to appoint our resale division, Franchise Business Brokers afterwards.
That independence allows the valuation to do its real job: provide a supportable view of the business, not a flattering route into a sales agreement.
A number that only moves in one direction is a sales pitch wearing a decimal point.
Franchise expertise
Franchise-specific judgement, not a generic multiple
A franchise can’t be properly valued by just applying a standard multiple and ignoring the model around it.
We’ve worked exclusively in UK franchising since 2007. That means the judgement behind our valuation comes from understanding both the individual business and the franchise system it operates within.
Not a generic formula, and not a spreadsheet from someone who’s never read a franchise agreement.
Sector insight
Insight from across the sector
We don’t assess a business only against its own historical numbers. Working across a wide range of franchise brands and sectors gives us broader context when considering performance, risk and what a supportable multiple may look like.
That comparative perspective helps the valuation stand up to questions from buyers, franchisors and lenders.
It is why our conclusions are built to withstand challenge rather than unravel at the first difficult question.
A valuation that only works until someone asks how it was calculated was never much of a valuation to begin with.
How it works
Fast guidance or full scrutiny
Not every decision requires the same level of work.
Our AI-assisted desktop valuation provides franchisees with a clear initial indication of value at a fraction of the cost and turnaround time of a detailed report.
It can be useful for:
- Early exit planning
- Understanding whether now may be the right time to sell
- Succession discussions
- Refinancing considerations
- Obtaining an initial view before commissioning more detailed work
For higher-stakes decisions, our detailed valuation reports go considerably further.
They are designed for situations involving a resale, funding application, shareholder matter, dispute or another decision where the conclusion may be examined by third parties.
The detailed process can include financial analysis, operational assessment, franchise-specific review, an in-person business assessment and independent checking of the completed report.
Our philosophy
Honest now is better than disappointed later
Our role is not to produce the highest possible number. It’s to produce one the evidence supports.
An optimistic valuation may feel encouraging at the beginning. Then buyers challenge the assumptions, lenders test affordability. Due diligence exposes risks that were not reflected in the price.
And the figure everyone wanted to believe becomes the reason the transaction stalls.
Undervaluation creates a different problem, potentially leaving the owner with less than the business can reasonably support.
An honest valuation now is worth far more than an optimistic one that falls apart when it matters.
Frequently asked questions
Business valuation FAQs
Why do I need an independent valuation?
Because credibility with buyers and lenders depends on it. An independent, franchise-specific valuation is less likely to be influenced by the desire to secure a sale instruction or justify a predetermined asking price.
It gives you a supportable starting point for negotiation rather than a number you may later need to defend (or retreat from) once buyers and lenders examine it properly.
Are your valuations accepted by lenders?
HSBC, NatWest, Lloyds and Barclays have confirmed that our valuations are credible and trustworthy for funding decisions.
This doesn’t guarantee that a lender will approve an application. The bank will still undertake its own credit, affordability and security assessment.
It does mean the valuation report is prepared to provide the evidence and reasoning a lender expects to see.
What is the difference between the desktop tool and a detailed valuation report?
The desktop valuation provides a quicker indication of value at a lower cost. It’s useful for early planning or deciding whether further work is appropriate.
A detailed valuation involves deeper financial, operational and franchise-specific analysis. It’s designed for decisions where buyers, lenders, franchisors or other third parties may rely on or challenge the conclusion.
How is a franchise valued differently from an independent business?
A franchise valuation must consider the underlying business alongside the system it operates within.
Relevant factors may include territory performance, management service fees, franchise agreement terms, transfer conditions, franchisor support, network strength and the restrictions or benefits associated with the model.
A generic multiple may fail to capture these factors properly.
Can I get a valuation without planning to sell?
Yes. A valuation can help with succession planning, refinancing, shareholder discussions, restructuring and long-term exit preparation.
Many franchisees obtain an initial valuation well before they intend to sell so they can understand the current position and address factors that may be limiting future value.
Does the same team handle my valuation and my resale?
The services can work together, but they do not have to. Valuation and resale are offered separately so the valuation conclusion is not dependent on winning a sales instruction.
You may use Chantry for valuation alone or later appoint Franchise Business Brokers (our resales arm) to manage your resale.
Are we the right fit?
Know your worth
You don’t need to be selling to benefit from knowing what your franchise business is worth.
A credible valuation can support exit planning, refinancing, succession, restructuring and wider strategic decisions. It may also identify the risks, dependencies or performance issues currently holding value back.
If you just want a number that flatters you, we’re probably not the right fit.
If you want a valuation that major banks recognise as credible for funding decisions, let’s talk.