One of the biggest challenges facing franchisors in 2026 isn’t developing a successful business model – it’s finding the right people to grow it.
At BusinessesForSale.com, we’ve spent decades helping franchise brands connect with entrepreneurs who are serious about business ownership. Effective franchise marketing isn’t about generating the highest possible number of enquiries. It’s about reaching people with the ambition, experience and financial capacity to build a successful business.
One brand that’s benefited from that approach is TaxAssist. Founded in the UK, the accounting franchise has grown into an international network, with established operations in Australia, Canada and the Republic of Ireland, alongside a developing presence in the United States.
At TaxAssist’s annual conference, held at the British Motor Museum in England, the team reflected on how BusinessesForSale.com has helped the franchise attract high-quality enquiries year after year. While the event itself took place in the UK, the recruitment lessons are equally relevant for Australian franchisors looking to strengthen and expand their own networks. They also discussed the opportunities and challenges shaping the accounting profession in 2026.
“We Wouldn’t Be Without BusinessesForSale.com”
“We’ve got BusinessesForSale.com at the heart of our marketing strategy,” says James Mattam, Group Director of Franchising. “People who are using the website are looking for serious opportunities, so we know the lead quality is good.”
Every franchisor wants more enquiries, but volume alone doesn’t build a successful franchise network. A smaller number of genuinely qualified candidates will always be more valuable than dozens of speculative enquiries from people who aren’t ready to invest.
That’s exactly why BusinessesForSale.com has remained such an important recruitment channel for TaxAssist. “I would definitely recommend BusinessesForSale.com,” says James. “It has proven, year after year, to be a really good lead generator for us. It’s got the audience we want to be in front of to raise our profile. We wouldn’t be without it.”
A Buyer with Serious Intent
One franchisee we spoke to at the conference was Tosin Oluyemi (pictured above). Tosin came across TaxAssist through BusinessesForSale.com after beginning his search for accounting practices to buy. “I was looking for accounting networks that can support my ambition,” he says. “Then I came across information about franchising on the site which was very helpful to me. That was how I found TaxAssist.”
Today, Tosin is a successful TaxAssist franchisee based in the East Glasgow region of Scotland. “What drew me to franchising was the existing brand, reputation and the support system that comes with it,” he says. “In terms of financing, technical knowledge and local knowledge, that’s really the kind of network that I want to be in.”
His story highlights something many franchisors overlook. Entrepreneurs don’t always begin their journey looking for a franchise. Many start by browsing businesses for sale or opportunities within a particular sector before realising that franchising offers the support, systems and brand recognition they’re looking for.
That’s where BusinessesForSale.com creates real value. The breadth of opportunities on the platform helps franchise brands reach motivated buyers who may never have considered franchising at the start of their search.
“BusinessesForSale.com has all the information you need,” says Tosin. “It should be a one-stop point to discover businesses to buy. Even things you didn’t know you were looking for.”
The Challenges and Opportunities of AI
The TaxAssist conference itself was a great example of the support Tosin described. Franchisees had the opportunity to connect with one another, discuss the challenges they face every day and take part in workshops designed to broaden their skills. They also had the chance to enjoy canapés and explore the British Motor Museum’s collection of classic cars – including the original DeLorean from Back to the Future, which, sadly, came with a strict no-filming policy.
For CEO Darren Moore, bringing franchisees together remains one of the biggest strengths of the network. “We love the opportunity to get people together in one room and share their experiences with each other,” he says. “It really feels like we’re part of something, and creates a sense of unity.”
When asked about the accounting profession’s biggest challenge in 2026, Darren gave the same answer for both the risks and the opportunities. “The biggest challenges are around how we demystify AI, and change the view that it is an existential threat to accountants’ existence.” If firms can embrace the technology in the right way, he believes the benefits could be substantial. “We just need to use it and grasp it in the right way,” he says.
James Mattam shares that view. “Franchising and accounting are two of the most stable models out there. But there is still a lot of uncertainty around AI. The AI solutions are going to help people become better advisors, presenting solutions before they’ve even asked the question.”
Although Darren and James are speaking about accounting, the message is equally relevant for franchise recruitment. Prospective franchisees increasingly want confidence that they’re joining a business prepared to evolve with new technology rather than compete against it.
What Australian Franchisors Can Learn from TaxAssist
Choosing a franchise marketing partner shouldn’t come down to headline lead numbers alone. The quality of the audience, the intent behind each enquiry and the ability to introduce your brand to people outside the traditional franchise pipeline are what really matter.
TaxAssist’s experience demonstrates that perfectly. Tosin didn’t begin his search looking specifically for a TaxAssist franchise, yet BusinessesForSale.com helped connect him with an opportunity that matched his ambitions.
For Australian franchisors reviewing their recruitment strategy, that’s an important lesson. The most valuable future franchisees may not already be searching for your brand—they simply need to discover it at the right stage of their business ownership journey.
Although this case study comes from the UK, the principles behind it are universal. Whether you’re an established franchise network or an emerging brand looking to expand throughout Australia, BusinessesForSale.com can help put your opportunity in front of motivated entrepreneurs who are ready to take the next step.
To find out how BusinessesForSale.com could support your franchise recruitment strategy, discover our advertising opportunities for franchisors.