Raising franchise standards in Finland

Franchising arrived in Finland in the 1970s through fast-food businesses and car rental, developing into a broader model for independent business ownership. A significant milestone came on 20 October 1988, when the Finnish Franchising Association was established by 17 people representing 14 companies. The association’s objectives include maintaining and developing ethical guidelines and providing services for franchise entrepreneurs and people interested in franchising.

Today, Finland’s franchise community spans retail, restaurants, consumer services and business services. Domestic concepts have a particularly strong presence: almost 80 per cent of franchise brands were Finnish in 2022. Figures published in 2026 put the number of franchise chains at 250–300, with more than 5,000 franchise entrepreneurs. For prospective owners, this offers a range of business models to explore, while making careful comparison of individual concepts and contractual commitments important.