Top 5 Training & Coaching Franchises in the UK in 2025
By: Alex Parker
Date: 31 / 12 / 2024
Are you feeling stuck in a financially stable career that lacks real meaning?
Do you wonder if there’s more to work than just clocking in and out – and longing for a way to impact others in tangible ways?
Ask any number of successful UK leaders, and they’ll often tell you about reaching a point where they yearn for more than just a paycheck—they want to make a genuine difference while building their own business legacy.
The challenge isn't just about finding a new career path; it's about discovering an opportunity that combines financial success with the deep satisfaction of helping others achieve their goals.
The frustration of being caught between the desire for entrepreneurial freedom and the need for a proven business model has left many at a crossroads. Traditional startups come with significant risks, while conventional corporate roles often fail to provide the autonomy and purpose you're seeking.
But there's a compelling solution that’s upgrading the careers of many across the UK: training and coaching franchises.
This thriving sector offers the perfect blend of entrepreneurial opportunity and meaningful impact. The number of active coaches worldwide has nearly doubled since 2019, growing at a 15.43% annually. The coaching franchise market shows an impressive success rate of 93% of franchisees achieving profitability—many within just two years of operation.
But a search online for coaching franchises will often leave you with more options than clarity. Which franchise is the best – and how do you measure one against another? Let’s look at the top five training and coaching franchises in the UK, and how you can take your next step in a career in coaching franchising.
What is a Coaching Franchise?
A coaching franchise represents a unique business model that combines the principles of entrepreneurship with proven coaching and training methodologies.
When you invest in a coaching franchise, you're essentially purchasing the right to operate under an established brand name while delivering specialised coaching services to businesses or individuals in your designated territory.
Rather than setting out on your own to find clients and build your roster, a coaching franchise provides you with a complete business system from day one:
- A proven methodology for delivering coaching services
- Comprehensive training in the franchisor's coaching techniques
- Protected territory rights
- Marketing and business development support
- Ongoing operational guidance
- Access to proprietary tools and resources
- Brand recognition and credibility
What Are The Different Types of Coaching Franchises?
The coaching franchise sector encompasses various specialisations:
Business Coaching
Focused on helping business owners and executives improve their company's performance through strategic planning, leadership development, and operational efficiency. These franchises, such as ActionCOACH, work directly with business owners one a 1–1 basis.
Executive Coaching
Centered on developing leadership skills and capabilities in senior managers and executives. This type of coaching helps high-level professionals enhance their decision-making abilities and leadership style.
Personal Development Coaching
Aimed at helping individuals achieve their personal and professional goals through one-on-one coaching sessions. This might include career coaching, life coaching, or specialised areas like health and wellness coaching.
Skills-Based Training
Some coaching franchises focus on delivering specific skills training, such as sales techniques, communication skills, or management capabilities. These coaches are great for professionals who want to develop a particular skill set or enhance their existing skills in a specific area.
Top Franchises In The UK
Let’s look at the top five coaching and training franchises – where they focus, what makes them worth considering for your coaching career, and why they are successful in the UK market.
1. The Alternative Board (TAB)
The Alternative Board (TAB) offers a unique approach to business advisory franchising, combining peer-to-peer board facilitation with executive coaching services. Established as a global franchise system, TAB boasts an impressive average member retention rate of five years, demonstrating the enduring value it provides to its clients.
TAB has a franchise revenue model that combines membership-based and non-membership-based income streams. The franchise offers four primary services: one-to-one business owner and executive coaching, advisory board facilitation, the StratPro® Team Leadership Transformation Program, and additional business consulting services.
The system provides comprehensive support to its franchisees, including proven strategic methods, protected marketing territories, and extensive training programmes.
What Makes TAB Unique?
- Multiple revenue streams combining membership and non-membership income
- High client retention rate (average 5 years)
- Comprehensive training and support system
- Flexible business model with minimal operational overhead
- Access to proprietary tools and methodologies
- Strong referral network through member recommendations
TAB May Be Best For You If…
This opportunity is particularly well-suited to professionals who value collaborative learning and have a natural ability to bring business leaders together. With its focus on peer advisory boards and executive coaching, TAB appeals to those seeking to build a sustainable business while working closely with ambitious business owners and CEOs in their local community.
2. ActionCOACH
Established in 1993, ActionCOACH is the world's largest business coaching franchise, with a particularly strong presence in the UK market. They’ve maintained a 5-star franchisee satisfaction status for 12 consecutive years and consistently ranked in the Elite Franchise UK Top 15.
ActionCOACH has a comprehensive approach to franchise support and a bold guarantee: franchisees are assured of earning £10,000-£14,000 in monthly gross income within their first seven months of training, provided they follow the proven sales process and maintain consistent prospect engagement.
The franchise operates on a proven system developed over three decades, focusing on helping business owners increase profits, develop effective systems, and build high-performing teams.
The franchise provides extensive initial training through ActionCOACH University, as well as ongoing support from a dedicated franchise team. Franchisees gain access to more than 3,500 proven strategies and tactics, proprietary tools, and a global community of coaches.
The business model has proved to be both recession and pandemic-proof – offering franchisees the stability that comes with a well-established brand whilst maintaining the flexibility to build their own local business community.
What Are The Advantages of ActionCOACH?
- Comprehensive initial and ongoing training programmes
- Guaranteed earnings potential with written assurance
- Access to a global network of coaches and strategic partners
- Proven, scalable business model with 30 years of refinement
- Strong brand recognition and established market presence
- Opportunity to build a coaching team and create a lasting business asset
- Protected territory rights
- Multiple revenue streams through various coaching programmes
ActionCOACH May Be Best For You If…
The ActionCOACH franchise is ideally suited for experienced business professionals ready to leverage their expertise in a proven system. With an investment requirement of £29,000+, this franchise is perfect for individuals seeking a premium business opportunity that offers both substantial earning potential and the flexibility to build a coaching team while maintaining work-life balance.
3. UK Business Mentoring (UKBM)
Established in 2009, UK Business Mentoring has carved out a distinctive niche in the UK franchising landscape by offering a highly flexible business mentoring model.
UKBM's emphasis on lifestyle flexibility and personal autonomy makes it particularly attractive. The franchise operates on a home-based model, allowing franchisees to structure their working hours and client load according to their preferences.
This flexibility extends to income potential, where franchisees can set their own financial targets without imposed minimums or caps. The initial investment is accessible, starting at £25,000 with a minimum personal contribution of £5,000.
Their comprehensive support system includes ongoing training, resources, and access to a supportive network of fellow franchisees, ensuring that newcomers can build their business with the help they need.
What Are The Advantages of UKBM?
- Low overhead costs with home-based operation
- Complete flexibility in working hours and client volume
- Strong partnerships with major financial institutions
- Multiple revenue streams through various business support services
- Established referral networks
UKBM May Be Best For You If…
The UKBM franchise is particularly well-suited for experienced business professionals seeking a flexible career transition or those planning a gradual move toward semi-retirement – particularly those with strong business acumen who wish to leverage their experience to help other business owners succeed while maintaining control over their own working lives.
4. Sandler Training
Established over 50 years ago with a 20-year presence in the UK, Sandler Training’s approach is deeply rooted in psychology and behavioural change. They offer a comprehensive range of training programmes including sales, leadership, and management development.
The franchise model is built around recurring revenue streams through monthly training retainers, and their scope extends from working with small businesses to delivering corporate training for multinational organisations.
Like others on this list, Sandler Training provides extensive support, including training materials, proven methodologies, and comprehensive initial training. The business model has proved particularly resilient, with franchisees reporting success even during challenging economic periods, including the 2007 recession.
What Are The Advantages of Sandler Training?
- Established global brand with strong UK presence
- Recurring revenue model through monthly retainers
- Multiple revenue streams across different market segments
- Extensive initial and ongoing support
- Access to corporate and enterprise-level clients
Sandler Training May Be Best For You If…
The Sandler Training franchise may be suited for experienced sales professionals and managers ready to leverage their expertise in a consulting role. The franchise works well for individuals who value the combination of professional autonomy and structured support, with the ability to scale their business.
5. Leadership Management International (LMI-UK)
Leadership Management International's UK division offers a distinctive approach to franchise ownership through their innovative four-stage entry model. They commit to reducing initial risk through a 'try-before-you-buy' system, allowing potential franchisees to experience the business model firsthand before making substantial commitments.
This unique slow-start approach enables franchisees to generate revenue at each stage of ownership, with many achieving break-even within 6-9 months. Operating from its headquarters in Leatherhead, Surrey, LMI-UK provides comprehensive support through one-to-one meetings at each stage of franchise development.
What makes this opportunity particularly interesting is its flexible progression model. Franchisees can advance through the stages at their own pace, with each level designed to generate income while building understanding and confidence.
What Are The Advantages of LMI-UK?
- Innovative four-stage entry model with low initial risk
- Comprehensive one-to-one support system
- Flexible progression timeline
- Multiple revenue streams through various programme offerings
LMI-UK May Be Best For You If…
The LMI-UK franchise appeals to those who prefer to test and validate their business potential before making significant investments and who value scaling their involvement at their own pace. The model works particularly well for individuals with leadership or training experience who wish to maintain control over their progression into full franchise ownership.
Which Training & Coaching Franchise is Right for You?
The UK's training and coaching franchise sector offers diverse opportunities for professionals looking to build their own businesses while helping others succeed.
However, in order to find the franchise opportunity that best fits you, you’ll want to do a bit of soul-searching to determine how ready you are to take on the challenges of business ownership and what type of training or coaching franchise would be most fulfilling for your personal and professional goals. Here are a few factors to consider:
- Investment Level: Are you looking for a lower-entry opportunity to test the waters, or are you ready to make a significant investment in a comprehensive system?
- Working Style: Do you thrive in one-to-one coaching environments or prefer facilitating group sessions and workshops?
- Market Focus: Consider whether you want to work with SMEs, corporate clients, or a mix of both.
- Support Structure: Consider how much training and ongoing support you need. Some franchises offer intensive support, while others favour more independence.
- Growth Plans: Are you looking to build a scalable business with multiple coaches, or do you prefer working as an individual consultant?
Take the Next Step with ActionCOACH
If you're ready to explore a proven franchise opportunity in the coaching sector, ActionCOACH stands out with its comprehensive support system, guaranteed earnings potential, and 30-year track record of success.
Ready to learn more about building your future with ActionCOACH? Take the first step towards owning your own business coaching franchise by speaking with an advisor today.