Starting a business in Portugal is an excellent way to make the most of your money. And with franchising, you can count on the support of a local team.
We’ve selected 7 franchise businesses that are ideal for those who want to start up in Portugal.
1 - Teevolution
Teevolution is a boutique, specialized in T-shirts and Sweatshirts.
Profit from the boom of tourism
Portugal has seen tremendous growth in tourism. And all businesses that rely on tourists have been very successful. This is the case with Teevolution, which, even though its clients include local residents, relies heavily on tourists.
State-of-the-art printing system
Customers can customize their products. They can choose between a T-shirt or a sweatshirt, select the color and size, and choose from over 100 exclusive designs. Once selected, the design is printed in less than a minute, providing a fast and hassle-free service.
Two business models: Flagship Store (full-scale store) and Brand Corner (shop-in-shop).
You can open a Flagship store, or a Brand corner. This allows you to choose the model that best suits your situation.
- Flaship Store: It is a store that sells exclusively Teevolution products, and has all the usual sections: men’s, women’s, boys’, girls’, and baby.
- Brand Corner: It is ideal for those who already own a store—even if it isn’t a clothing store—and want to make the most of their store’s space.
Strengths of this franchise
- Multiple customer segments (locals and tourists), which results in lower annual seasonality.
- High margins, above the apparel industry average.
- Minimal inventory.
- Low investment cost.
- State-of-the-art logistics. Supplies all the goods and materials needed for day-to-day operations at competitive prices.
- New arrivals and unique details: dozens of new designs every year; line of products featuring exclusive details.
Franchising details
- Investment: 2.000€ (corner store), 30.000€ (flagship store)
- Royalties: none
- Contract duration: 1 or 5 years (renewable)
2 - Friendly Fire
What is Friendly Fire?
Think Starbucks, but with lots of computers and consoles. And more social interactions between visitors. And energy drinks instead of coffee. And more fun.
Friendly Fire is the place for generation Z to socialise.
More than a video game coffee shop.
Friendly Fire is not like other video game coffee shops.
With its own software and a powerful app, it allows to operate efficiently, without the need for external technicians.
The business volume of the video game coffee shops sector is one of the fastest growing, at a rate of 20 per cent a year. It’s a growing business with little competition.
Strengths of this franchise
- Proprietary software and app that optimises revenue and minimises the need for staff.
- Few staff required. Typically one person per shift.
- Requires a space of 150m2. It doesn't have to be a prime location.
- International concept, successfully tested in 5 countries.
- Reduced operating costs.
- No need to be present in the business at all times.
- Lower investment than an independent video games café.
Franchising details
- Average initial investment of €99,500.
- Entrance fee: €15,000
- Monthly royalties: 5% for the first 2 years
- Marketing fee: 2%
- Contract duration: 5 years
- Exclusive area: Yes
3 - Surf'n'Fries
Surf’n’Fries is a franchise specialising in French fries. It was founded in 2009 and is present in 10 countries.
French fries are perhaps one of the most popular food dishes in the world.
Who can resist the aroma of freshly fried potatoes?
After a decade of perfecting the taste and developing a premium experience, Surf’n’Fries has created the perfect potato cut – fries shaped to maximise profits and generate repeat customers.
In addition to the fries, with their various sauces, Surf’n’Fries offers more products, depending on the business format chosen. These include drinks, chicken nuggets, chicken wings, chicken chunks and mozzarella sticks.
3 Business formats
There are 3 alternative business formats:
- S’N’F Cart
- Food Truck ( trailer ) S’N’F
- Traditional S’N’F Shop
Strengths of this franchise
- Low investment
- Model resistant to economic downturns
- Proven success with Millennials
- Fresh and attractive brand
- Track record of international success
- No hidden fees
Franchising details
- Initial investment: €14,000 (cart); €50,000 (trailer)
- Right of entry: €2,500 (cart); €5,000 (trailer)
- Monthly royalties: none
- Marketing fee: none
- Contract duration: 5 years
4 - Yogurtlandia
Yogurtlandia is a frozen yoghurt shop. Born in Italy in 1995, it is present in 4 countries in Europe and has almost 100 franchised shops.
More than a yoghurt ice cream shop
One of the concerns of anyone who starts an ice-cream or yoghurt business is whether they will have income all year round, or just in the summer.
The advantage of the Yogurtlandia yoghurt ice cream franchise is that it has a wide range of products, allowing it to sell well all year round: soft natural yoghurt, soft fruit yoghurt, crepes, bubble tea, waffles, pancakes, slushies, smoothies and milkshakes, natural juices, hot chocolate, fruit salad, cold coffee cream, etc.
Strengths of this franchise
- Consolidated business with over 25 years' experience.
- Low investment.
- Easy management for the franchisee.
- High-profile brand in Europe.
- Wide range of products, with high margins.
- Young, modern decor.
- Attractively designed packaging and utensils.
Franchising details
- Initial investment: from €29,000
- Right of entry: included in the investment
- Monthly royalties: none
- Marketing fee: none
- Contract duration: 5 years (renewable)
- Ideal area: 20m2 to 80m2
5 - Asasur
Asasur is a take-away restaurant specialising in roast chicken. But it also has a wide-ranging menu of other dishes from Iberian cuisine.
There are dozens of dishes on offer to suit all tastes.
And this way, people buy more often, as they can choose from a variety of dishes.
It’s a simple concept, but very effective.
Strengths of this franchise
- Consolidated business with over 20 years' experience.
- Easy management for the franchisee.
- A well-known brand in Spain, now arriving in Portugal.
- Diverse menu, with dozens of products.
- Low prices.
- Take-away system, with no table service costs.
- Also home delivery system.
Franchising details
- Initial investment: €42,700 (Asasur Express); €51,200 (Asasur)
- Right of entry: included in the investment
- Monthly royalties: 1000€
- Marketing fee: 150€/month
- Contract duration: 10 years
- Ideal area: from 80m2
6 - Move It Center
Movie It Centre is a very special gym franchise because it is based on a ‘training boutique’ concept.
The democratisation of personal training
The big challenge for a fitness centre is to get clients to keep doing sport throughout the year. Hence the advantage of having a personal trainer.
And Move It Centre does it at a lower price.
Strengths of this franchise
- Service similar to that of personal trainers, at a very affordable price.
- Personalised support.
- Modern and sophisticated decor.
- Equipment and technology.
- Lower investment than a traditional gym.
Franchising details
- Initial investment: From €50,000
- Right of entry: included in the investment.
- Monthly royalties: 3% (minimum 300€ / month)
- Marketing fee: 1% (minimum 150€ / month)
- Contract duration: 5 years
- Ideal area: 150 m2
7 - Kubo King
Kubo King is the brewery for young people.
Young people between the ages of 18 and 35 are one of the most interesting target groups among restaurant-goers. Both in terms of the frequency with which they visit restaurants and the portion of their personal budget they devote to going out, young people are among the most profitable target groups for the restaurant business.
A business designed (down to the last detail) for younger customers
And another of the characteristics of young people is that they like to share photos and messages about the places they visit with their friends and on their social networks. And that’s the best advertising a business can have.
Strengths of this franchise
- Fun decor.
- Tempting, tasty and easy-to-eat food menu.
- Entertainment equipments.
- Moderate prices.
- Constant promotions.
- Concept around beer.
Franchising details
- Initial investment: 55.000€
- Right of entry: included in the investment
- Monthly royalties: 3%
- Marketing fee: 1.25%
- Contract duration: 5 years (renewable)
- Ideal area: 130m2 to 200m2