Assofranchising Report: Lombardy accounts for a third of the entire Italian franchising sector

According to the "Assofranchising Italy Report 2026 – Structures, Trends and Scenarios", produced by Patrigest together with Teha Group, Lombardy alone accounts for almost a third of the Italian franchising sector.

Lombardy's figures

In 2025, the sector reached a turnover of 12,6 billion euros, equal to 32,3% of the 39 billion generated by franchising in Italy as a whole. A share that confirms Lombardy as the leading Italian region in terms of importance in the sector.

The region's central role also emerges from the size of its network: 197 brands active in the area, for a total of 23.219 outlets (37% of the 62.449 present in Italy). In terms of employment, franchising in Lombardy provides work for 128.683 employees, equal to 39% of the 327.200 employed nationwide. In other words, more than 1 euros out of 3 in turnover and almost 4 employees out of 10 in Italian franchising are attributable to Lombardy.

The region's areas

This is an ecosystem strongly concentrated in the metropolitan area of Milan, which alone is home to 132 brands, accounting for approximately two-thirds of the regional total. Franchised shops based in the Lombardy capital have 19.248 outlets employing 113.879 employees and generating turnover of more than 11,1 billion euros. This figure is equivalent to almost 88% of the Region's total turnover.

Alongside Milan's results, a network of specialised provincial hubs stands out, contributing to the spread of this entrepreneurial model throughout the area. Monza and Brianza is the second-largest area by turnover (383,6 million euros) and number of outlets (1.002), followed by Bergamo, which, with 17 brands, generates more than 323 million euros and has almost 2.000 employees. Varese and Brescia confirm a significant presence, with 258 and 200 million euros in turnover, while Como comes close to 190 million. Areas such as Mantua, Lecco, Lodi and Pavia report lower figures, but demonstrate the model's widespread reach even in areas with a lower population density.

The commentary

“The data show that Lombardy is Italy's main franchising hub, thanks to the concentration of brands, entrepreneurial expertise and advanced services,” says Massimiliano Maffioli, president of Assofranchising. “Milan's strong leadership is combined with a network of dynamic provinces that contribute to the sector's development, confirming Lombardy's ability to attract investment, create jobs and support the growth of franchised networks. In this context, Assofranchising plays a central role in representing and supporting businesses, providing expertise, tools and opportunities for discussion to address the challenges of a constantly evolving market. Access to credit is certainly one of the priorities, remaining a decisive factor especially for those wishing to start or expand a business, as are the search for and enhancement of skills and personnel, which are increasingly strategic for supporting the growth of networks. Our aim is to continue to stand alongside businesses, fostering conditions that enable franchising to fully express its potential for development, innovation and employment”.

This article was translated from the original Italian version with the assistance of artificial intelligence. In case of discrepancies, please refer to the original Italian version.