The ActionCOACH franchise has continuously adapted to stay ahead of the curve. It began with a non-exclusive territory model, allowing individual coaches to collaborate with any business they resonated with. Later, exclusive territories were introduced, enabling franchisees to scale into million-pound enterprises by hiring coaching teams. Now, the brand has unveiled its most forward-thinking model to date: ActionOPTIONs.
This latest format gives professionals the chance to invest in a coaching franchise without the need for day-to-day involvement. It’s a hands-off, high-impact investment opportunity which reflects how the ActionCOACH model has adapted to changing investor expectations and the evolving business landscape.
It’s also opening doors for a new wave of investors—people who previously wouldn’t have considered franchising—to engage with the world’s number one business coaching franchise.
What is ActionOPTIONs?
ActionOPTIONs offers an attractive pathway into franchise ownership with minimal operational involvement. A £99,000 investment secures ownership of a local ActionCOACH territory, fully managed by the ActionCOACH team for the first three years. During that period, investors receive a guaranteed 10% annual return – resulting in a total payout of £131,700 by year three.
What happens next is entirely up to the investor. They can continue to stay hands-off, take a more active role in the business or exit with their return. It’s a model that aligns perfectly with today’s desire for flexibility, security and meaningful business engagement.
A franchise model evolving
ActionOPTIONs reflects how franchising and ActionCOACH are evolving to stay relevant in a world where business ownership needs to be more flexible, inclusive and purpose-led.
Over the years, ActionCOACH has transitioned from supporting individual coaches with no geographic exclusivity to enabling entrepreneurs to build scalable, high-value businesses within protected territories. Now, the additional ActionOPTIONs model is moving further to meet the needs of investors who may not have the time, skillset, or desire to run a business themselves – at least initially.
This innovation aligns with the broader shift in what investors are looking for. Many professionals want business opportunities that generate a return without requiring a complete career overhaul. They’re looking for ventures not just driven by profit potential but also align with their values and contribute positively to the wider economy.
ActionOPTIONs delivers on all fronts – offering structured, managed growth while also supporting local SMEs and the communities they serve. ActionCOACH UK co-founder Ian Christelow believes: “This isn’t just an evolution for ActionCOACH; it’s a step forward for franchising as a whole.”
What investors are saying
Steve Pailthorpe, who worked with ActionCOACH as a client for 15 years, was well aware of the power of coaching. When ActionOPTIONs launched, it was an easy decision to invest. “I’ve seen first-hand how ActionCOACH helps businesses grow, so I already had huge belief in the model.
“What really stood out for me was the flexibility – being able to invest without taking on the day-to-day myself. I love being able to support business owners while still keeping my flexibility and, of course, having the option in three years to get more involved – it was a no brainer!”
Chris Duke had a different background – decades in tech marketing, including more than 10 years at Apple – but, like Steve, he shared a similar desire to do work with a meaningful impact.
“I’d just moved and was ready for my next challenge. I’ve always coached in sport, so when I heard about ActionCOACH then ActionOPTIONs, it all really clicked. I didn’t want to build a business from scratch, and this gave me a way to own a business, become a coach and have something meaningful to grow into.
“While the business is in the hands of the experts, I’m learning the ropes of what it takes to be a coach with a view to keep progressing over the next three years. Now I’m coaching a local business owner and loving it. It’s the best of both worlds: the structure and security of the model, plus the reward of helping people grow.”
A forward-thinking model with purpose
ActionOPTIONs brings franchising into the present – and the future. It opens doors to a wider range of investors: people who want their capital to do more than generate returns. It blends profitability with purpose and structure with freedom, offering a model that fits around modern lifestyles and values.
By lowering the operational barrier and offering real flexibility, it redefines what it means to be a franchise partner. Whether you’re seeking long-term financial growth, a meaningful way to give back or simply the option to step into something new at your own pace, ActionOPTIONs delivers.
