Grenke: franchise leasing volumes double

Leasing furniture and equipment is gaining ground in Italy’s franchise sector. Grenke reports that its business with franchise networks has doubled in volume in 2026, according to Matteo Santi, head of the Partnership Programme at Grenke Italia, in an interview published by ItalyPost on 1 November. Behind this growth is a practical choice for anyone opening an outlet: spreading fit-out costs over time rather than paying them upfront.

Growing volumes, led by food service

Santi reports a 100% increase in Grenke’s franchise business volumes in 2026. This figure relates to the company’s own activity: it is not a measure of Italy’s overall leasing market or the number of new franchise outlets opening.

Food service accounts for the largest share. According to Santi, it represents between 35% and 50% of the company’s volumes in the franchise sector, followed by fashion and fitness. The interview does not provide a breakdown for categories other than food service, but identifies further areas of growth: health-related services, opticians and businesses serving older people.

Examples cited include regenerative aesthetic medicine centres and automated gyms open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. These illustrate the commercial trends Grenke is observing, rather than announcements of new franchise networks or specific openings.

From upfront purchases to regular payments

Santi’s explanation starts with cash flow management. Fitting out an outlet can mean committing tens of thousands of euros upfront. An operating lease replaces that initial outlay with regular payments, leaving funds available for day-to-day operations.

“Instead of immediately tying up tens of thousands of euros in fitting out an outlet, an operating lease turns the initial equipment provision into an affordable rental expense,” says Santi. Affordability must, however, be assessed against the contract terms and the finances of the individual outlet: leasing does not eliminate equipment costs, but changes how they are spread over time.

In the interview, Santi describes leasing as a commercial rental agreement with fixed payments that allow businesses to plan their spending. For a franchisee, the useful comparison is therefore not just how much is needed to open, but also how much the equipment will cost the business month after month.

Terms of up to 84 months and the cost of leasing

The B2B leasing agreements described by Grenke run from a minimum of 13 months to a maximum of 84 months. In franchising, Santi explains, the term is generally around 60 months: a five-year commitment to factor into the financial planning of a shop or venue.

The lower upfront outlay comes at an additional cost. Santi puts the average gross additional cost at around 2% a year compared with buying outright, while stressing that the figure varies. This should not be read as a universal rate or a price that automatically applies to every fit-out.

The distinction matters: preserving cash and spending less are not the same thing. The benefit Santi describes is primarily the availability of cash. Assessing overall value requires a comparison of purchase and leasing quotes, taking into account the term, payments and actual conditions offered.

Grenke’s targets and franchisees’ choices

Founded in Baden-Baden in 1978, Grenke provides business-to-business operating leases. The interview cites a market share of 33.5% for transactions below €25,000. Intesa Sanpaolo holds a 17% stake in Grenke Italia following the contribution of RentForYou to the business.

Santi links growth to the private-sector market and collaboration with partners such as Intesa Sanpaolo. The stated aim is to reach €1 billion in total business volumes in Italy by 2032. This is a company-wide target, not one limited to franchising, and is distinct from the results reported for 2026.

For the franchise sector, the news highlights a way to manage the initial investment, not a guarantee of expansion. Practical takeaway: before deciding, compare a purchase quote with a schedule of lease payments covering the full contract term, and check how much cash will genuinely remain available to run the outlet.