The verdict in three sentences
For a network of 42 franchised bakeries still run by email and spreadsheets, a custom extranet costs EUR 35,000 to EUR 65,000 excluding VAT (roughly GBP 30,000 to 56,000), mobile PWA included, over 4 to 6 months. A franchise SaaS licence costs EUR 8,000 to 15,000 per year, cheaper upfront but rigid on central ordering and bakery-specific quality audits. Custom becomes profitable once the network passes 30 outlets and plans around 10 openings a year.
Modules and their price
An effective franchise extranet replaces three scattered tools: the central ordering spreadsheet (flour, packaging, frozen goods), the shared documentation folder (recipes, brand guide, food safety procedures) and quality audit grids sent by email.
| Module | 2026 range (EUR excl. VAT) | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Core (accounts, roles, dashboard) | 8,000 to 12,000 | Franchisor, field managers, franchisees, staff |
| Central ordering | 9,000 to 16,000 | Catalogue, minimums, delivery calendar, ERP export |
| Documentation and recipes | 4,000 to 8,000 | Versioned recipe cards, read receipts |
| Quality audits and visits | 6,000 to 11,000 | HACCP grids, photos, action plans, scoring |
| Mobile PWA | 4,000 to 9,000 | Offline in-store, notifications |
| Network communication | 2,000 to 4,000 | News, campaigns, point-of-sale kits |
| Revenue reporting | 2,000 to 5,000 | Sales upload, royalty calculation |
| Total | 35,000 to 65,000 | 4 to 6 months |
The top of the range covers integration with the central kitchen ERP and automatic royalty calculation from till data.
Custom build or franchise SaaS licence?
| Criterion | Custom extranet | Franchise SaaS licence |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | EUR 35,000 to 65,000 | EUR 2,000 to 5,000 setup |
| Annual cost | EUR 1,800 hosting + EUR 4,000 to 7,000 maintenance | EUR 8,000 to 15,000 licence |
| 5-year cumulative cost | EUR 64,000 to 109,000 | EUR 42,000 to 80,000 |
| Bakery-specific central ordering | Native | Often via workarounds |
| Data and code ownership | Full | Vendor dependency |
| Evolves with the network | Freely | Per vendor roadmap |
| Cost per extra franchisee | None | EUR 150 to 350 per year depending on plan |
At 42 outlets, SaaS is often cheaper over 5 years. The maths flips once you factor in time saved by the network team and growth: with 60 to 80 shops by 2029, licence fees climb while the custom build cost stays flat.
How a 5-month project runs
Month one maps the flows with two pilot franchisees. Months 2 to 4 deliver modules in two-week sprints, with demos to the network committee. Month 5 covers rollout in waves of 10 shops and training for field managers. GDPR-compliant hosting in Europe costs around EUR 150 per month.
Mini case study
Tom, network director of a 42-bakery franchise in London, opts for an extranet at EUR 52,000. Today his 3 field managers each spend 8 hours a week consolidating orders and chasing audits. The extranet saves 6 hours per person, 18 hours a week, roughly 830 hours a year at EUR 40 loaded cost per hour: EUR 33,200. Central ordering errors, estimated at EUR 9,000 per year, drop by half: +EUR 4,500. Annual gain: EUR 37,700 against EUR 3,800 of recurring costs. Payback in about 18 months.
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
FAQ
How much does a basic franchise extranet cost?
A core with central ordering and documentation starts around EUR 25,000. For a food network with HACCP audits and a PWA, plan at least EUR 35,000.
Why a PWA rather than a native app?
A PWA installs from the browser, works offline in the bakehouse and costs EUR 4,000 to 9,000, versus EUR 20,000 or more for two native iOS and Android apps.
Can the extranet connect to shop tills?
Yes, most POS systems expose an API or a daily export. Budget EUR 3,000 to 6,000 depending on how many POS vendors the network uses.
Who owns the code?
The franchisor, with an assignment of rights in the contract. It is a valuable asset when raising funds or selling the network.
Are there grants for this kind of project?
Some regional and national schemes support SME digital transformation, often covering 20 to 50% of eligible spend. Check current conditions before signing.
Let's scope your project. Describe your current flows (ordering, audits, documentation) and network size, and we will price a modular extranet between EUR 35,000 and 65,000 with a 4 to 6 month plan. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.