Ableworld Franchise: Lead the Country's Largest Mobility Retailer

Few sectors offer the combination of strong demographic tailwinds, high earning potential and genuine social impact that mobility retail does. The Ableworld Franchise puts ambitious entrepreneurs at the heart of this growing industry, with the chance to run a multi-revenue business that genuinely helps older adults and people with disabilities live independently in their own homes.

Founded in 2000 by experienced retailer Mike Williams, Ableworld began as a response to a personal frustration. While shopping for mobility products for his father, Mike was shocked to find low-quality items being sold at hugely inflated prices to vulnerable people. He set out to build a more ethical, professional alternative, and 25 years later Ableworld is the largest mobility retailer in the country, with over 36 stores and a growing network of franchise-owned superstores. The brand secured 71st place in the prestigious HSBC Elite Franchise Top 100 Awards for 2026.

Ableworld is also one of the few franchises in this space that operates its own company-owned stores alongside the franchise network, meaning every system, product and process is tested and refined in real conditions before being rolled out to franchise partners.

An Ableworld franchise mobility superstore launch - bringing independence to the local community

Three Core Revenue Streams

This is a true management franchise. As an owner, you will run a fully branded mobility superstore alongside a service centre and home fitting operation, supported by a small loyal team that typically starts at around three people and grows to eight to ten.

A Booming Market

Investment and Costs

Top Performer Revenue

Training and Ongoing Support

Ableworld offers one of the most comprehensive training programmes in the franchise industry. The initial training spans eight weeks (56 days) and is available for up to two people, covering every aspect of running a mobility superstore. Franchisees receive operations, till, marketing, accounts and purchasing manuals alongside hands-on practical experience.

• ✓ 56-day structured training programme for up to two people
• ✓ Ongoing mentorship and buddy system with experienced operators
• ✓ National support team of over 60 professionals
• ✓ Property selection and lease negotiation guidance
• ✓ Hands-on launch support, marketing and HR including recruitment
• ✓ Mental health and stress management resources
• ✓ Free interim manager cover so franchisees can take proper holidays
• ✓ Van livery and marketing collateral included

What Franchisees Say

Existing owners frequently highlight the strong ethics and customer-first values of the brand, alongside the genuine impact they have on people's lives. Many speak about the satisfaction of helping families find solutions during difficult moments and how those interactions create lifelong customer loyalty.

Franchisees from former teaching, engineering and sales backgrounds have all gone on to build multi-store operations, with some top operators turning over up to £5 million across multiple territories.

Who Is the Franchise For?

No prior experience in the mobility industry is required. Ableworld franchisees come from a wide range of backgrounds, including former teachers, engineers, sales professionals and corporate managers. What unites them is a desire to make a difference in their local community while building a substantial, scalable business asset. The brand looks for partners with strong people skills, sound judgement and the determination to follow a proven system. Prime territories with potential for multiple stores are available nationwide.

Key Benefits at a Glance

• ✓ UK's largest mobility retailer - 36+ stores nationwide
• ✓ Ranked 71st in HSBC Elite Franchise Top 100 for 2026
• ✓ Half of franchise stores exceed £1 million annual turnover
• ✓ Three revenue streams: retail, servicing and stairlifts
• ✓ 56-day training - one of the longest in franchising
• ✓ Free interim manager cover for holidays
• ✓ 60-strong national support team
• ✓ Demographically driven, recession-resilient sector

If you are looking for a meaningful, scalable business in a sector with proven long-term demand, the Ableworld Franchise could be the perfect fit.

Interested in exploring more opportunities in this sector? Take a look at other Care franchise opportunities available on Franchise Hunt.

Industry Context

The mobility sector is one of the few UK retail categories where long-range demand is virtually guaranteed by demographics rather than fashion. According to a UK Parliament Commons Library briefing on the UK's changing population, around 12.7 million people in the UK were aged 65 or over in 2022, and that figure is projected to rise sharply through the 2030s and 2040s. A growing proportion of those households will need adjustable beds, stairlifts, scooters and daily living aids to remain in their own homes for longer, which is exactly the basket of products and services an Ableworld store is set up to deliver.

A Day in the Superstore

Most Ableworld franchisees describe a fairly predictable operational rhythm. Mornings tend to start with the engineering team dispatching stairlift fitters and service vans, while showroom staff prepare the floor for walk-in customers. Daytime footfall is dominated by older adults and family members researching solutions, often after a recent hospital discharge or a change in mobility. Afternoons typically blend product demos, in-home assessments booked from the morning's enquiries, and follow-up calls from the servicing book. Owners spend much of their week on the floor coaching staff, reviewing margins and reading the diary, with regular sessions on local marketing, recruitment and stock planning.

Marketing and Lead Generation

Footfall is driven by a mix of local marketing, NHS and occupational therapy referrals, repeat servicing customers and a strong word-of-mouth effect that the brand says is unusually high in this sector. New franchisees receive a launch marketing allowance built into the franchise fee, plus access to centrally produced press, digital, leaflet and radio templates. Head office runs national campaigns and a brand website that channels enquiries to the nearest franchise, while the in-house team supports local SEO, Google Business profiles and community events. Servicing visits and stairlift call-outs also work as lead generation in their own right, since each home visit often surfaces additional needs for the family.

Discovery and Award Process

Ableworld runs a structured franchise discovery process rather than a hard sell. After an initial enquiry and informal call, prospective franchisees are invited to a discovery day at the head office in Crewe, where they meet the executive team, tour the warehouse and visit a working superstore. Mike Williams has previously told trade press that the brand prioritises partners who will commit to the established model, noting that converting enquiries into franchisees takes time and care. Successful candidates then work with head office on property selection, finance introductions and lease negotiation before formal award. Most new owners take three to six months from first conversation to opening day, with the brand actively recruiting in unrepresented territories nationwide.