Santander, Getnet and AMF aim to support 85,000 franchises in Mexico

Banco Santander México, Getnet and the Mexican Franchise Association (AMF) have signed a partnership agreement to bring financial services and payment solutions to Mexico’s franchise community. Announced on 3 November, the agreement aims to benefit 85,000 franchises during its first three years, with specialist support for franchisors, franchisees and brands.

An agreement to support franchise networks

The partnership was formalised at the AMF International Convention 2026. It aims to meet the needs of the franchise business model through a joint programme of banking services, payment processing and business networking.

The agreement provides for opportunities to bring together franchisors, franchisees and decision-makers within franchise networks. As well as improving access to financial products, it seeks to develop support tailored to the structure and needs of franchises in Mexico.

The figure of 85,000 franchises is a target for the initiative’s first three years, not the number of businesses that have already received financing. This distinction puts the announcement into perspective: it marks the start of a partnership whose intended reach extends over that period.

For the franchise community, the key point is that the offering aims to support different stages of the business, rather than focusing solely on opening new outlets.

Accounts, payroll and financing for different stages

Santander plans to offer solutions covering everything from opening and running new outlets to growing and expanding franchise networks. The services announced include accounts, payments and merchant acquiring services, payroll and financing options.

The offering also includes tools designed to help businesses digitalise their operations and track transactions. These form part of the planned support for participating businesses, alongside the banking services needed for day-to-day operations.

The approach distinguishes between needs that arise at different stages of a franchise’s development. Opening an outlet, managing its operations and preparing for expansion are all explicitly covered by the bank’s offering. The agreement is therefore presented not simply as a lending initiative, but as a combination of financial and operational services.

Anyone assessing these options should consider each component separately: an account, payroll management, a payment acceptance solution and financing each meet different needs. The value of the offering will depend on how well each service fits the operations of the outlet or network.

Getnet will focus on payment processing

Getnet’s role will focus on payment processing. The announcement also links its offering to helping entrepreneurs reach new customers and access global payment platforms.

The partnership thus brings together two areas: Santander’s banking services and Getnet’s payment solutions, with AMF helping to connect the initiative with the franchise community.

This combination makes payment acceptance part of the planned support for running and growing businesses. For franchisees, the practical task is to assess which solution their outlet needs; for franchisors, it is to consider how suitable it is for the different outlets across their network.

A nationwide target

Figures released alongside the announcement illustrate the scale of Mexico’s franchise community: more than 1,500 brands, over 95,000 outlets and more than one million direct jobs, as well as a contribution equivalent to 5% of gross domestic product.

Betsy Eslava, president of AMF, expressed the hope that the partnership would help franchises grow and benefit the families who work in them. The agreement launches a programme combining financial support, payment services and business networking events.

Practical takeaway: before signing up, franchisors and franchisees should identify whether their priority is to open, operate or expand, and request the specific terms and conditions for each service. The partnership’s reach target is no substitute for assessing costs, requirements and business needs individually.