Inspired by the remote working shift caused by the pandemic, companies worldwide are rethinking and reviewing how – and where – they work best. That’s why, despite the challenges of the past year, flexible workspace provider IWG is experiencing an unprecedented demand for its workspace solutions. Having remained resilient and even expanded its global network during 2020, the company saw the biggest deals in its 31-year history during Q1 2021, signing up large-scale international enterprises such as NTT and Standard Chartered (with respective global workforces of 300,000 and 95,000) who will allow employees to use IWG’s network of flexible workspaces. Now, with the demand for new workspace at a record high, the company is looking for franchise partners to help grow its network in Poland.

Formed of a network of global and regional workspace brands which includes its two top signature brands, Regus and Spaces, IWG already has a strong presence in Poland, with 30 flex-space centers across its seven largest cities. But its plans for growth are vast. Recently appointed Franchise Director for CEE, Michal Dorszewski, is seeking investors in new regions to help him grow the network and cater to the rising demand for local workspaces.

This is the first opportunity of its kind in Poland, and it’s a fruitful time to invest in a flexible workspace. The coming flex-space boom means that investors and franchisees who get ahead of the hybrid work trend stand to benefit from unparalleled ROI and strong cash flow.

While spurred on by the pandemic, the use of flex-space was a growing trend well before; in 2019, it was predicted that, by 2030, 30 percent of all commercial real estate will be a flexible workspace, while flexible working will be worth more than €9trn to the economies of 16 leading countries alone. Now that companies have had the chance to test the waters of a hybrid style of work – with employees operating from a centralized office when needed, but partly remotely, from home or a local office base – demand for flexible workplace solutions is rapidly outstripping supply. 

The next few years will see companies of all sizes moving to offer flexible work locations in towns and business parks away from the main urban centers, closer to where their employees live. The shift will serve to reduce property costs for businesses, reduce the workforce’s commute and align with employees’ new taste for remote working.

As well as giving remote employees a professional, convenient place to work and boosting local economies, flex-space can help reduce carbon emissions and enable businesses to meet their ESG commitments, making it as appealing to CEOs of larger companies as to entrepreneurs and SMEs owners. According to Regus’ Suburban Economic Survey, local flex-space could contribute €225bn to smaller cities, suburbs, and towns over the next decade.

This shift is the catalyst for IWG’s plan to grow its network of flexible offices into more suburban locations and smaller regional towns. 

As well as serving the workplace of the future, flex-space is one of the safer investments you can make – unlike more common franchise options such as fast food, café, and fitness brands, many of which have suffered through the pandemic – and IWG is the market leader by a long stretch. There’s also the opportunity to scale up: most franchise partners will sign cluster deals to open multiple centers in one region or city within a two-to-five-year period.

"But you don’t have to be in the franchise business to benefit," says Dorszewski. This is a great opportunity for business people, entrepreneurs, and investors of all kinds.

“The sharing economy and flexible workplace solutions are important social trends and open huge possibilities of growth, which really fascinates me as an investor and entrepreneur,” says investor Ralph Altenburger, who is in the process of opening eight centers in several under-served cities around Munich. “Regus, as a market leader, offers a great basis to position myself in this sector with a strong brand, a professional infrastructure, and a worldwide network.”

Michal Dorszewski concurs: “By partnering with IWG, you’re tapping into over 30 years of expertise from the world market leader, with a proven business model honed over those decades, as well as gaining access to a polished infrastructure of systems, training, and support.” IWG’s network is six times larger than that of its nearest competitor, and it already has a strong presence in Central Europe, with 425 locations across 13 countries. From sales to booking systems and auto-renewal of customer contracts, franchise partners are handed a framework that’s ready to run with. Every step of the opening and sales process is anticipated and prepared for.

Another strength of the IWG offers is that it has multiple brands available to the franchise, so partners can offer a range of flex-space environments to serve different customer bases in their region. Regus is the most established brand, as well as having the most global coverage and therefore worldwide brand recognition. Spaces is a contemporary, lifestyle-infused type of workspace, with inbuilt networking programs and a more entrepreneurial spirit. Signature – created to sit in iconic and sought-after buildings – and the value brand HQ both provide a range of other solutions to fit your local business scene.

"By mixing and matching these, you can lead the market with different brands. Essentially, you buy one franchise but become a multi-franchise owner," says Dorszewski.

Incorporating flex-space is also a way for building owners to add value to their assets, with the scope to generate more profit than from standard rent while also driving interest in more traditional leases as the demand for flex operators grows. 

This combination of collaboration with a reliable, market-leading company, the promise of stable market investment, and a strong chance of ROI and cash flow are all compelling reasons to consider this investment.

“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity,” concludes Dorszewski. “You can jump on the train now, get the first pick at territories and reap the benefits, or risk missing it altogether.”

Want to know more about franchising IWG’s brands? Find more info here.