Franchise Brands (FRAN) AI Stock Analysis

• Market Cap: £244.52M
• Dividend Yield: 1.69%
• Average Volume (3M): 155.20K
• Price to Earnings (P/E): 30.9
• Beta (1Y): 0.50
• Revenue Growth: 15.22%
• EPS Growth: 1.23%
• Country: UK
• Employees: 646
• Sector: Industrials
• Sector Strength: 72
• Industry: Specialty Business Services
• EPS (TTM): 0.04
• Shares Outstanding: 193,784,070
• 10 Day Avg. Volume: 150,954
• 30 Day Avg. Volume: 155,200
• PEG Ratio: 0.36
• Price to Book (P/B): 1.40
• Price to Sales (P/S): 2.20
• P/FCF Ratio: 12.23
• Enterprise Value/Market Cap: N/A
• Enterprise Value/Revenue: N/A
• Enterprise Value/Gross Profit: N/A
• Enterprise Value/Ebitda: N/A
• 1Y Price Target: N/A
• Price Target Upside: N/A
• Rating Consensus: Hold
• Number of Analyst Covering: 0
• EPS Forecast (FY): N/A
• Revenue Forecast (FY): N/A

• Rating: 73 Outperform
• Price Target: 138.00p ▲(10.40% Upside)

Franchise Brands' strong financial performance is the most significant factor, supported by robust revenue growth and profitability margins. Technical analysis presents a mixed outlook with bearish trends but neutral momentum indicators. Valuation metrics suggest the stock is relatively expensive, limiting potential upside. The absence of earnings call and corporate events data does not impact the score.

Positive Factors

Revenue Growth

Consistent revenue growth indicates strong market demand and effective franchise management, supporting long-term business expansion.

Profitability Margins

High profitability margins reflect efficient operations and pricing power, which can sustain competitive advantage and shareholder value.

Cash Flow Management

Robust cash flow growth enhances financial flexibility, enabling reinvestment in growth opportunities and providing a buffer against economic downturns.

Negative Factors

Return on Equity

Low ROE suggests inefficiencies in generating returns on shareholder investments, potentially limiting attractiveness to investors.

Valuation Concerns

High valuation metrics may limit future stock price appreciation, impacting investor sentiment and potential capital raising efforts.

Leverage

While leverage is moderate, any increase could strain financial resources, affecting the company's ability to invest in growth or weather downturns.

Franchise Brands Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company Description

Franchise Brands (FRAN) is a multi-brand franchisor specializing in the development and management of franchise businesses across various sectors, including food and beverage, retail, and services. The company focuses on identifying and supporting high-potential franchise concepts, providing franchisees with the tools and resources needed to succeed. Through its portfolio of established brands, Franchise Brands aims to drive growth and profitability for its franchise partners while expanding its market presence.

How the Company Makes Money

Franchise Brands generates revenue primarily through franchise fees and royalties from its franchise partners. The company typically charges an initial franchise fee when a new franchisee joins the network, which provides an upfront revenue stream. Additionally, FRAN earns ongoing royalties based on a percentage of the franchisee's gross sales, creating a consistent revenue source tied to the performance of its franchise network. The company may also generate income through training and support services, marketing fees, and sales of proprietary products or supplies to its franchisees. Strategic partnerships with suppliers and service providers further enhance its revenue potential, allowing FRAN to offer competitive pricing and additional value to its franchisees while capturing a share of the supply chain.

Franchise Brands Financial Statement Overview

Summary

Franchise Brands demonstrates strong financial performance with consistent revenue growth and solid profitability margins. The company maintains a stable balance sheet with moderate leverage, and its cash flow position is robust, supporting future growth opportunities. While ROE could be improved, the company's financial fundamentals are sound, positioning it well within the specialty business services industry.

Income Statement

Franchise Brands has shown robust revenue growth, with a 14.81% increase from the previous year. The gross profit margin is strong at 59.85%, and the net profit margin has improved significantly, reflecting enhanced profitability. EBIT and EBITDA margins are healthy, indicating efficient operations and strong earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization.

Balance Sheet

The company maintains a solid equity position with an equity ratio of 58.55%, indicating financial stability. The debt-to-equity ratio is moderate at 0.40, suggesting a balanced approach to leverage. Return on equity is reasonable at 3.33%, though there's room for improvement in maximizing shareholder returns.

Cash Flow

Franchise Brands has displayed strong cash flow management, with a notable 48.08% growth in free cash flow. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is impressive at 3.86, indicating efficient cash generation relative to earnings. Free cash flow to net income is also healthy, reflecting effective capital expenditure management.

Breakdown	TTM	Dec 2024	Dec 2023	Dec 2022	Dec 2021	Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue	139.78M	139.21M	121.27M	92.73M	57.69M	49.29M
Gross Profit	82.01M	83.32M	68.23M	30.79M	21.93M	20.93M
EBITDA	30.86M	32.81M	23.01M	14.25M	5.87M	5.88M
Net Income	7.91M	7.28M	3.04M	8.13M	4.23M	2.79M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets	367.32M	373.30M	382.44M	132.44M	67.27M	68.55M
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments	7.54M	12.92M	12.28M	10.94M	9.05M	13.20M
Total Debt	78.88M	87.98M	94.56M	2.46M	2.53M	8.24M
Total Liabilities	146.85M	154.74M	168.05M	29.40M	19.94M	24.71M
Stockholders Equity	220.47M	218.56M	214.39M	102.38M	47.33M	43.84M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow	24.53M	25.02M	16.89M	6.27M	5.12M	4.46M
Operating Cash Flow	25.93M	28.16M	19.95M	7.73M	7.27M	5.24M
Investing Cash Flow	-2.55M	-2.71M	-51.44M	2.56M	-3.02M	-779.00K
Financing Cash Flow	-26.59M	-24.72M	33.11M	-8.74M	-8.40M	7.06M

Franchise Brands Technical Analysis

• Technical Analysis Sentiment: Neutral
• Last Price: 125.00
• 50DMA: Positive
• 100DMA: Negative
• 200DMA: Negative
• MACD: Negative
• RSI: Neutral
• STOCH: Negative

Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For GB:FRAN, the sentiment is Neutral. The current price of 125 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 120.12, below the 50-day MA of 127.72, and below the 200-day MA of 138.22, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of 0.32 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 57.49 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 89.46 is Negative, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Neutral sentiment for GB:FRAN.

Franchise Brands Peers Comparison

Name	Overall Rating	Market Cap	P/E Ratio	ROE	Dividend Yield	Revenue Growth	EPS Growth
FRAN	73 Outperform	£244.52M	30.90	3.61%	1.69%	15.22%	1.23%
KEYS	73 Outperform	£204.26M	20.98	56.75%	5.78%	16.29%	22.80%
BEG	66 Neutral	£185.14M	29.29	7.85%	3.84%	12.41%	331.52%
RWS	66 Neutral	£276.62M	10.98	2.82%	17.22%	-0.78%	―
RST	63 Neutral	£338.89M	36.08	4.01%	2.50%	6.90%	145.00%
Sector *	63 Neutral	$10.79B	15.43	7.44%	2.01%	2.89%	-14.66%
CPI	63 Neutral	£348.64M	21.33	9.00%	―	-4.87%	―

Franchise Brands Corporate Events

Franchise Brands Director Increases Stake with Share Purchase

Franchise Brands plc announced that Nigel Wray, a Non-executive director, purchased 50,000 Ordinary Shares at 120.0 pence per share, increasing his stake to 8.29% of the company’s issued share capital. This transaction reflects confidence in the company’s strategic direction and may influence stakeholders’ perception of Franchise Brands’ market positioning.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:FRAN) stock is a Buy with a £152.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Franchise Brands stock, see the GB:FRAN Stock Forecast page.

Franchise Brands Expands EBT Share Purchase Programme

Franchise Brands PLC has announced an update on its Employee Benefit Trust (EBT) share purchase programme, initially set at £5 million, with £1.4 million already funded. The company plans to purchase an additional £1 million in shares, citing the current share price as undervalued and aiming to mitigate the dilutive impact of share option awards. This strategic move could significantly affect daily trading volumes due to limited liquidity, potentially exceeding regulatory limits.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:FRAN) stock is a Buy with a £152.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Franchise Brands stock, see the GB:FRAN Stock Forecast page.

Franchise Brands Updates Executive Chairman’s Shareholding

Franchise Brands plc announced a correction to its previous disclosure regarding the shareholding of its Executive Chairman, Stephen Hemsley. Hemsley purchased 50,000 ordinary shares, increasing his total interest to 22,900,000 shares, which represents 11.82% of the company’s issued share capital. This transaction highlights Hemsley’s confidence in the company’s growth and strategic direction, potentially influencing stakeholder perspectives on the company’s future performance.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:FRAN) stock is a Buy with a £152.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Franchise Brands stock, see the GB:FRAN Stock Forecast page.

Franchise Brands Chairman Increases Stake in Company

Franchise Brands plc announced that its Executive Chairman, Stephen Hemsley, purchased 50,000 Ordinary Shares at an average price of 120.5781 pence per share, increasing his stake to 11.82% of the company’s issued share capital. This transaction underscores confidence in the company’s growth strategy and could positively influence stakeholder perception, reinforcing the leadership’s commitment to the company’s future.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:FRAN) stock is a Buy with a £152.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Franchise Brands stock, see the GB:FRAN Stock Forecast page.

Franchise Brands Chairman Increases Shareholding

Franchise Brands PLC announced that Stephen Hemsley, the Executive Chairman, purchased 50,000 ordinary shares of the company at an average price of 120.5781 pence per share. This transaction increases Mr. Hemsley’s total shareholding to 23,900,000 shares, representing 11.82% of the company’s issued share capital. The purchase reflects confidence in the company’s strategy and future growth potential, which could positively impact stakeholder perceptions and market positioning.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:FRAN) stock is a Buy with a £152.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Franchise Brands stock, see the GB:FRAN Stock Forecast page.

Franchise Brands CFO Completes Share Sale to Meet Tax Obligations

Franchise Brands PLC announced that Andrew Mallows, the company’s Chief Financial Officer, sold 81,776 ordinary shares at 126 pence each to meet a tax obligation from a previous employment. This transaction completes the sale of shares following the exercise of options under the company’s employee share schemes. Mr. Mallows retains 124,290 shares and holds options for an additional 776,288 shares. This move reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to transparency and regulatory compliance, while maintaining a strong leadership position within the industry.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:FRAN) stock is a Buy with a £152.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Franchise Brands stock, see the GB:FRAN Stock Forecast page.

Franchise Brands CFO Exercises Share Options to Meet Tax Obligation

Franchise Brands plc announced that Andrew Mallows, the company’s Chief Financial Officer, exercised options over 305,682 ordinary shares, selling 223,906 shares to meet a tax obligation from a previous employment. This transaction reflects internal financial adjustments and does not indicate a change in the company’s strategic direction or market operations. Mallows retains a significant shareholding and options, suggesting continued confidence in the company’s future performance.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:FRAN) stock is a Buy with a £152.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Franchise Brands stock, see the GB:FRAN Stock Forecast page.

Franchise Brands Delays Main Market Listing Until 2027

Franchise Brands has announced that it does not anticipate listing on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange until Q3/Q4 2027, following inquiries from shareholders. The decision to delay is contingent on the status of AIM and potential fiscal or regulatory changes, impacting the company’s strategic planning and potentially affecting stakeholders’ expectations.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:FRAN) stock is a Buy with a £300.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Franchise Brands stock, see the GB:FRAN Stock Forecast page.

Franchise Brands Grants Share Options to CFO

Franchise Brands has granted an option over 180,000 Ordinary Shares to its CFO, Andrew Mallows, under its Employee Share Option Plan. The option is contingent on meeting specific performance criteria related to earnings per share growth over the next three years. This grant is part of an annual share option allocation to senior employees, highlighting the company’s strategy to incentivize performance and align management interests with shareholder value.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:FRAN) stock is a Buy with a £300.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Franchise Brands stock, see the GB:FRAN Stock Forecast page.

Franchise Brands Reports Resilient H1 2025 Performance Amid Challenging Conditions

Franchise Brands plc reported a resilient performance in the first half of 2025, with system sales increasing by 2.5% to £209.4m and profit before tax rising by 9.6% to £11.7m. Despite challenging macroeconomic conditions, the company benefited from international diversification and strong cash generation, which supported deleveraging and increased adjusted earnings per share by 7.8%. The company is progressing with strategic initiatives, including the integration of major acquisitions and the implementation of Group-wide technology projects, to strengthen its business for future growth. The outlook for the second half remains cautious, with expectations for adjusted EBITDA to be similar to 2024, while strong cash flow generation continues to support investment and debt reduction.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:FRAN) stock is a Buy with a £300.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Franchise Brands stock, see the GB:FRAN Stock Forecast page.