Last Updated on 2025-08-29 , 12:50 pm
Have you ever wanted to start a franchise but thought it’ll cost millions of dollars, and that only businesses can own one?
Well, here’s a good news.
In Singapore, individuals can own a franchise, and the costs aren’t as crazy as you think. In addition, there isn’t a special “franchise law” here; deals are governed by regular contract and commercial law, so even a cat can sign a franchise (if he has the capital).
So if you’ve often wander in a shopping mall and wonder if one day, you can be the owner of one of the shops…well, you can.
But how?
Who can own a franchise in Singapore, and how to set up the entity
You can run a franchise as a sole proprietor under your own name, or set up a partnership, LLP, or company. If you trade using only your full NRIC name, you’re exempt from registering a separate business name.
Lest you’re not aware, it’s relatively affordable to start a business in Singapore, and all you need is your Singpass.
However, franchise terms differ by brand. Many franchisors here follow the Franchising and Licensing Association (FLA) Singapore’s guidelines and code, though these are not laws.
And here’s the interesting thing: Entry fees for some well-known brands start around $15,000.
Yes, for $15,000, you can be the owner of a popular brand.
That fee is far below a car’s Certificate of Entitlement right now. On 20 Aug 2025, Category A closed at $104,524.
Nevertheless, remember: the initial fee is only one piece. You still budget for fit-out, equipment, working capital, royalties, and marketing contributions. These are set out in each brand’s documents.
But still, $15,000 for a franchise? That means even a student can afford it!
Now, if you’re keen, read on.
Franchising & Licensing Asia (FLAsia) 2025
Going to the headquarters of your favourite brands and asking if they’re selling their franchises is akin to looking for jobs by walking in a shopping centre: that’s so 1995.
Instead, you can merely just head to an exhibition that will run from 18 to 20 Sept 2025.
The Franchising & Liecensing Asia (FLAsia) 2025 will run from 18 to 20 Sep 2025 at Marina Bay Sands, and there are over 250 franchise brands and licensable characters will be on show.
Best if all?
It’s free entry.
And if you wan to learn more about franchising before committing to any franchise, fret not; there’s the Knowledge Arena, which has pay-per-session programmes conducted by experts, ranging from $28 to $58.
Also, there’s the first Mandarin edition of the Singapore-Asia Franchising Conference on 19 Sep 2025, at the same venue.
In other words, if you’re looking to be your own boss without having to start anything, this is the place to be in.
Click here to register! Remember: it’s free, so why wait?
If you want to know about the misconceptions about franchising, you can watch this, too:
This article is written in collaboration with Franchising & Liecensing Asia (FLAsia) 2025.
