The British Franchise Association (bfa) is the only voluntary self-regulatory body for the UK franchise industry, with a standards based approach to membership. Its aim is to promote ethical franchising practice in the UK and help the industry develop credibility, influence and favourable circumstance for growth. As a result one of the bfa's main jobs is to help potential franchisees recognise the good, the bad, and the ugly franchise opportunities£ for what they are. Another is to help businesses involved in franchising to secure their own position amongst the "good" franchises. The Franchise Company have been members of the BFA for nearly 20 years.