Business Franchise articles from April 2004

Business Franchise archives from April 2004

Healthy bite of the market.(franchise news)
April 1, 2004... SUBWAY RESTAURANTS, the world's largest submarine sandwich chain, has overtaken the number of McDonald's outlets in Northern Ireland. The latest Subway store has opened in Belfast by franchisee Chris Scott. The opening represents the 27th...

Signs of improvement for Disability Discrimination Act.(franchise news)
April 1, 2004... THE ROYAL NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF THE BLIND (RNIB) and Recognition Express are implementing new measures to help the UK's three million organisations that still do not provide adequate signs for the visually impaired, despite new legislation...

Domino's delivers first-rate results.(franchise news)
April 1, 2004... DOMINO'S PIZZA UK & IRL has announced pre-tax profits of 6.5 million [pounds sterling], an increase on the previous year of over 54 per cent. Stephen Hemsley, chief executive of Domino's says: 'A notable feature of the year was the clear...

Plumbing franchise fights the fat.(franchise news)
April 1, 2004... DRAIN DOCTOR PLUMBING has launched a major campaign to eradicate grease blockages in the drains of restaurants and other catering establishments. The company has joined forces with manufacturer Hunter Plastics--UK division of the international...

The outlook is fine for Belvoir.(franchise news)
April 1, 2004... LETTINGS AGENCY Belvoir has announced the opening of 17 new franchises. In 2003, Belvoir received more than 3,000 enquiries from professionals hoping to join the franchise. But the Grantham-based company uses strict vetting procedures and...

New role at fast-food giant.
April 1, 2004... BURGER KING has promoted Ray Dellamura to the position of vice president and general manager for the UK and Ireland, responsible for the development, profitability and management of over 700 Burger King restaurants. A Burger King veteran,...

Property search finds new recruit.
April 1, 2004... THE PROPERTY SEARCH GROUP (PSG) Franchising Ltd has appointed Lisa Whitehead as the company's franchise support manager. Whitehead, 29, has returned from Norway after six years to embark on a career with PSG. She will be responsible for...

Pet-sitting franchise not standing still.
April 1, 2004... PETPALS, the Hampshire-based pet-sitting franchise, has taken on new offices at Basepoint in Andover to help with its growing training and recruitment needs. As well as moving to bigger offices, Petpals has appointed Tracey Eden to assist...

Rainbow franchisee top of the Scots.(franchise news)
April 1, 2004... DISASTER RESTORATION specialist Kevin Hughes has been nominated for a prestigious award for his success in growing his Glasgow-based business. Hughes operates a franchise for Rainbow International, and has been nominated for Best Franchise...

Highland games.(franchise news)
April 1, 2004... CHIPS, the video games retail specialist, has opened its first store in Scotland. Ryan Frampton has spent the last ten years working for HMV, but the 28-year-old was looking for a challenge and opening the franchise's 21st UK outlet...

Athlete's foot spreads.(franchise news)
April 1, 2004... THE WORLD'S biggest franchised athletic footwear retailer, The Athlete's Foot, has opened its first UK store in Llandudno, North Wales. The new store covers 1,200sqft and offers a comprehensive range of specialist sports footwear aimed at...

Brand new and handy too.(franchise news)
April 1, 2004... WHEN Bruce Greig couldn't find a plumber at a sensible price. he decided to do the lob himself. Three years on, his moment of spontaneous DIY has turned into a business with a turnover of 500,000 [pounds sterling], which he hopes to double in...

Happy customer becomes cleaning franchisee.(franchise news)
April 1, 2004... TIME FOR YOU client Ann Brebner was so impressed with the service she received she decided to buy into the business. Brebner had been using the local domestic cleaning franchise's services for some time before stopping work for maternity...

Start of the Storey.(franchise news)
April 1, 2004... THE STOREY GROUP is expanding into franchising with its Storey Carpets, Walter Wall and Woodland Floors brands. The group has recruited specialist Phil Griffiths for the role of franchise manager. He will oversee all franchise deals within...

Windows of opportunity.(franchise news)
April 1, 2004... WINDOW RENOVATION specialists, Ventrolla, have launched a new regional franchise in Southwest Wales. James Griffiths will be running his new business from its Newport base and the franchise will cover the whole of the southwest and parts...

Nothing fishy about new transport deal.(franchise news)
April 1, 2004... FISH DELNERY franchise Silver Fins has discovered a more cost-effective way to transport its product--through commercial vehicle sales company Vanman. Silver Fins was launched just over a year ago, so for founder Tony Staffieri it's...

Know your membership.(bfa news)
April 1, 2004... The British Franchise Association (BFA) evolved in 1977 to become the only voluntary accreditation body for franchising in the UK. The BFA accredits franchise companies for membership on the basis of a strict standards structure. These...

In the prime of their lives.(bfa news)
April 1, 2004... THE BFA, in conjunction with its CREATE Project partner PRIME, held a successful workshop promoting self-employment and enterprise to people over 50. The fully-booked event gave an insight into the pros and cons of franchising as a way...

The business of international franchising.(bfa news)
April 1, 2004... IF YOU are going to do business abroad--and to my international friends the UK is 'abroad'--then there is no substitute for spending time in the country where you propose to operate. In this context 'you' means the senior management of the...

Looking for franchising advice? Start with the BFA?(bfa news)
April 1, 2004... THE BFA has broadened its role since its inception 27 years ago, and has become one of the first ports of calf for people wanting advice on franchising. The 2004 BFA/NatWest Franchise Survey shows 64 per cent of prospective franchisees checked...

BFA regional network.(bfa news)
April 1, 2004... THE FIRST ROUND of the British Franchise Association (BFA) regional forums has already begun with members meeting and networking with other franchisors, swapping advice and telling the association what is important in their region. After...

In the market for a makeover: how can you profit from the booming home-improvement sector? Do it yourself with one of the many franchise opportunities available in this beautifying business.(home improvement franchises)
April 1, 2004... We have become a house-proud lot. It seems we just can't get enough of doing up our own place: we spend our weekends making over rooms and we spend our weeknights watching others do the same on television. It has become a national obsession....

Make your home your own; although working from home can be a godsend in the early days of running your own business, there comes a time when making the difficult move to new premises is important.(work premises)
April 1, 2004... When a neighbour grumbled about the number of cars in the road, he gave Nicky Morris the final push to move her Merry Maids franchise out of her home and into serviced offices. But the Fylde and Blackpool franchisee had been thinking about...

Moving on up.(Cover Story)
April 1, 2004... Since 1978, Kall Kwik has been a dominant force in the business-to-business print, digital and design sector. It's a well-known brand name and an enticing opportunity to potential franchisees. Head of marketing for Kall Kwik UK, John Blyth,...

Fresh ink franchise; new franchise company 1/2 Price Ink Cartridges supplies exactly what it says on the van. Jenny Gray talks to the team behind the operation.(new launch)
April 1, 2004... It's true the way the old saying goes--necessity is the mother of invention. When Sean Pritchard saw the cost of his company's large print-runs, he couldn't believe the cost of ink. So he delved a little deeper and soon realised the fantastic...

Spot the new trend: it's new, stylish and very Italian--and it's coming soon to Britain. Carol Davis finds out what franchise Laservideo has in store.(new launch)
April 1, 2004... Innovative Italian company Laservideo is looking for a partner to help launch its new technology in the UK. It's interested in finding a master franchisee in Britain who will join a long line of successful European collaborators. So just what...

More than your average beverage: Costa has always been passionate about offering a truly Italian coffee experience to its customers. Now it is looking for equally enthusiastic franchisees to carry on the tradition.(in focus)
April 1, 2004... The UK coffee market is the second fastest growing UK market after mobile phones. Statistics on the UK retail coffee shop market, compiled by Allegra Strategies in July 2003, show that 21 per cent of consumers visit a coffee shop every...

One-stop-shoptalk: keeping up with a changing marketplace is all about customer care and flexibility. Chris Gillam from Mail Boxes Etc tells Gay Turner how he stays one step ahead.(progress report)
April 1, 2004... The MBE franchise has always offered franchisees plenty of variety, with its wide range of 'standard' services and the versatility to introduce new ones as business practices and demands changed. Franchisees are encouraged to trial new ideas...

Make your move the right one; Bairstow Eves is celebrating four years of countrywide franchise expansion.(progress report)
April 1, 2004... Countrywide Assured Group, the UK's largest estate agent, is expecting 2004 to be its busiest year yet in terms of franchising activity, as it gears up to open a further 40 branches throughout the next year. The group, which has over 800...

Sure and certain future: lettings specialist Surelet Franchising Ltd is celebrating its first birthday and, as Alex Dean discovers, it's been a busy year from the word go.(in focus)
April 1, 2004... The residential lettings market is extremely buoyant and expected to show continued growth over future years. With today's high property prices many people cannot afford to buy their own homes, whereas many others actually prefer rental as a...

Helping hand protects business brand: controlling how franchisees convey your corporate image can be tricky, but an online management system from Flexeprint Direct makes it easier.(Flexeprint Direct)
April 1, 2004... All the best ideas start with a simple premise: the corporate image of any business is crucial to its success. This is especially true for any company operating as a franchise. Yet managing a brand identity across a diverse and...

Truckloads of potential: increasing demand for the Hydro-Dynamix service is proving that not all cleaning systems are the same.(in focus)
April 1, 2004... Truck-mounted cleaning systems dominate the US market, but are only now starting to penetrate the UK, where they are proving superior to all existing cleaning methods. The UK public is just starting to become aware of truck-mounted systems in...

Focus on your future: providing comprehensive initial training for franchisees is crucial for long-term success, but management consultancy Profit Focus Group proves that support shouldn't stop there.(progress report)
April 1, 2004... 'A solid platform from which to launch the business and an understanding of the methodology to allow me to avoid as many pitfalls as possible,' was the response PFG franchisee Colin Jeffrey gave when asked about his expectations of franchisee...

Your dream ticket: Dream Doors, the kitchen-door replacement franchise, is fast becoming one of the franchise industry's biggest success stories.(progress report)
April 1, 2004... Launched in 2001 by founders Troy Tappenden and Derek Lilly, the Dream Doors network now has 40 franchisees, and is growing at a steady rate. While some of the more established franchisees are exceeding projected sales figures by substantial...

Reeling in the profits.(promotional feature)
April 1, 2004... Running a business associated with a world-class brand is something Gary Reid now knows all about. Once a fisherman off the Scottish coast, Reid became a franchisee with Finning Hydraulic Services (FHS) in August 2002 and instantly became part...

A-Z list of exhibitors.(exhibition showcase)
April 1, 2004... Exhibitor Stand 1/2 Price Ink Cartridges F215 247staff D20 3D Crystal Images Ltd C85 4 Max Visual Impact ...

Welcome to franchising.(exhibition foreword)
April 1, 2004... If you are thinking about taking on the challenge of opening your own business, but aren't quite sure you want to go it alone, then franchising is for you. The British and International Franchise Exhibition (B&IFE) at the Wembley exhibition...

Seminar programme.(exhibition seminars)
April 1, 2004... The British & international Franchise Exhibition All visitors to the British and International Franchise Exhibition in London are invited to attend free, hour-long seminars run by the British Franchise Association throughout the exhibition...

Is franchising for you?(franchise information)
April 1, 2004... BEFORE YOU part with any money, there will be work to be done and questions to be asked. You will need to thoroughly research your franchise, making sure that it is the right one for you and that you are fully aware of the work involved and the...

Your A-Z exhibitor guide.(exhibitor profiles)
April 1, 2004... 1/2 Price Ink Cartridges Stand No.F215 Contact name: Mike Robinson Retail shops/Retailers Tel: 0117 979 9547 Fax: 0117 979 9657 Website: www.12ink.com Established: ...

List of exhibitors by category.(exhibitor listing)
April 1, 2004... Accountancy/Taxation advice Certax Accounting Ltd D90 TaxAssist Direct DG130 Automatic doors Automate B137 Automotive services Car Medic ...

The road to success: Al Gosling, founder and CEO of the Extreme Group and Extreme Sports Channel, welcomes you to the Growing Your Own Business Showcase & Conference.
April 1, 2004... Hello and welcome to the Growing Your Own Business Showcase & Conference 2004. I am delighted to have been invited to speak on 'the secrets of success' and hope you will gain some useful hints, tips and ideas to help you drive your business...

Conference programme.(Calendar)
April 1, 2004... Friday 2 April 2004 OPENING ADDRESS (1) 10:15-10:45 * The secrets of success * What does it take to make an impact in business? * Maintaining focus and driving momentum * Balancing work with life: how much do you have to...

Your A-Z exhibitor guide.(exhibitor profiles)
April 1, 2004... Alliance & Leicester Stand No.GY280 Blue Apple Stand No.GY170 Contact name: Claim Cooper Franchise consultancy/ Tel: 02920 504 100...

Get caught up in the web: Carol Davis talks to Realwebsales, whose franchisees profit from the e-commerce revolution by helping their clients to do the same.(promotional feature)
April 1, 2004... Building a website can take just three minutes, and yet those few minutes could revolutionise the fortunes of a small business, says the franchisor that is now recruiting new franchisees to join the e-commerce boom. The Realwebsales...

Change for the better: every company needs management advice in order to flourish and grow. Carol Davis talks to Allan Ward, new franchisee with training and management consultants The Wilsher Group.(promotional feature)
April 1, 2004... Reaching the top rung of his career ladder persuaded Allan Ward to change his lifestyle and become a franchisee with The Wilsher Group--and the top executive has never looked back. He has come a long way since he began his working life as a...

Join the treasure hunt; how can finding ways to cut costs for your clients make money for your own business? We talk to Michael Wood from the ERA network to find out.(promotional feature)
April 1, 2004... North Yorkshire-based Michael Wood joined the cost-management consultants ERA in November 1997 and has not looked back. When his particular role was made redundant for a second time, Wood became so disillusioned with the world of full-time...

Support second to none.(promotional feature)
April 1, 2004... With 15 years' experience, two UK-based factories, skilled cartridge technicians, dedicated field franchisee sales managers and a continuous research and development programme, Lasertech can offer its franchisees the most comprehensive support...

O'Sullivan basks in the sun.(promotional feature)
April 1, 2004... WORLD-CHAMPION SNOOKER PLAYER Ronnie O'Sullivan, winner of the recent Welsh Open Tournament and a director of Sun Overseas Property, was proud to receive the keys for his latest franchised overseas property shop in Reading. Sun Oversees...

In the family way: word of mouth is doing the hard work for growing ink cartridge refillers, Smart Cartridge. Jenny Gray talks to two brothers sharing in the company's success.(progress report)
April 1, 2004... We often hear about family partnerships in the world of franchising--husband and wife combinations or siblings who get together to invest in their future. Smart Cartridge franchisees are certainly keeping it in the family, while helping to...

Doors slide open: for the Bowe family, the Sliderobes franchise has proved such a success they've taken on territories in two countries. Jenny Gray finds out why it works so well.(in focus)
April 1, 2004... Denis Bowe has never run a business in England before, but he's just bought up two Sliderobes franchise areas. That kind of confidence has got to come from somewhere, and in this case it's crossed over the Irish Sea to Basildon and Chelmsford....

As good as new.(promotional feature)
April 1, 2004... If you've ever found a scratch or mark on a much loved piece of furniture, you'll appreciate how annoying and upsetting it can be. This type of accidental damage is common, both in the home or office environment, and all too often an expensive...

Booming business on the move: there's more to car cleaning than a bucket of soapy water on a Sunday afternoon. Alex Dean makes a closer inspection of Mobile Car Valeting, a franchise that's come a long way to make quite a splash in the market.(in focus)
April 1, 2004... You could be forgiven for wishing there were fewer vehicles on the road, slowing us down every day, but the fact is that a high level of car ownership is a meaningful indicator of a healthy economy. And from a business perspective, it's a case...

Making management magic with Minster: franchisee recruitment is notoriously difficult for some companies, but Minster Cleaning Services Group has no problem securing interested parties--the only issue is choosing the right people. It was a double whammy for Minster when both Richard Thompson and Jonathan Wright showed their interest.
April 1, 2004... Both of Minster's two newest recruits first read about the company in Business Franchise, and followed up their research with a trip to meet the franchisor itself at its Birmingham headquarters. These meetings have finally resulted in Richard...

Have a part to play: ff you need a replacement computer component, chances are you need it sooner rather than later. First Stop Supplies, a new launch in the franchise sector, is looking for franchisees to deliver the bits when the chips are down.(new launch)
April 1, 2004... A somewhat different and interesting new arrival in the business-to-business sector is First Stop Supplies, which is launching its franchise opportunity at the British Franchise Exhibition this April. It's a specialist wholesaler of computer...

The way forward: successful franchise companies are those with a well-defined market and a system that can be easily replicated by franchisees. Fastway Couriers is a case in point.(in focus)
April 1, 2004... Established in 1983, Fastway Couriers now has more than 1,200 franchisees and is one of the world's largest courier franchise operations. It provides low-cost courier services, based on simple pricing and easy-to-use, prepaid labels. In...

Rolling out worldwide.(Progress report: the little gym)
April 1, 2004... 'We're growing organically,' says Alastair Kendall, The Little Gym's first UK franchisee. Clearly we're not talking about fruit and veg, but organic growth is certainly proving healthy for The Little Gym's franchise network. As an...

Furnished with success.(in focus)
April 1, 2004... It's been a year since Valspar Industries launched the pilot operations for its new FurniturePro franchise opportunity and Craig Henthorn, the company's director, thinks they've proved a success in more ways than one. Not only have both...

Space to succeed: not only does Netspace offer its services to small businesses, it operates as a franchise as well. So It knows all there is to know about the importance of a strong online presence, as Jo Bareham finds out.(promotional feature)
April 1, 2004... When Netspace looked at the dynamics of the UK market for the services it offers, it saw that the key element was to create a reputation and brand that business owners would seek out and feel comfortable with using to create their own web...

Q&A: franchising is a complex business and it is often hard to know where to turn for reliable advice. Help is at hand--ask our selected panel of industry experts, who offer invaluable advice on franchising in every issue.(franchise advice)
April 1, 2004... Q: My chosen franchise company has now provided me with a franchise agreement, which I was expecting would detail my rights as a franchisee. Why is the content so one-sided in favour of the franchisor's Interests? Polly Oakford, Poole ...

Networking for business success.(Marketing top tips)
April 1, 2004... Networking is one of the most cost-effective marketing tools that you can use to build your business. Like all good ideas, the networking concept is a very simple one. The more people you know with a clear understanding of what you do and who...

To sue or not to sue: fighting is never pleasant but people don't seem to tire of it. Manzoor Ishani explains how we can resolve business differences as quickly and cost-effectively as possible.(dispute resolution)
April 1, 2004... Alternative dispute resolution is all the rage. Settling a dispute outside court proceedings is now seen by many franchisors and their franchisees as not only desirable but more readily achievable than ever before. Recent reforms to our legal...

It's good to talk: franchising functions on teamwork, but we often forget that there's always some room for improvement. Richard Watson explains how to get the most out of people, be they at the bottom or the top of the business.(team work)
April 1, 2004... I have recently been diagnosed with the symptoms of FADDS. Franchise Attention Deficit Disorder Syndrome attacks most franchisees at some point in their career. The events are always unpredictable, and have no visible outward signs. With me it...

Need to know: Barrie Pennington pinpoints the latest laws, statistics and government guidelines making an impact on small businesses and beyond.(business bulletin)
April 1, 2004... SMEs LOOK FOR SIGNS OF RECOVERY Smaller manufacturers are beginning to benefit from an international economic recovery and are increasingly supplying larger companies gearing up for expansion. Statistics from The Confederation of British...

Franchisee of the month.(class act)
April 1, 2004... Name: Simon Lee Age: 39 Occupation: Countrywide Lawn Doctor franchisee Franchise location: South Manchester and north Cheshire History: Started as franchisee in 2002. Previously a self-employed textile machinery manufacturer...

A taste of franchising.(bfa seminars)
April 1, 2004... Take a bite of the franchising pie with a British Franchise Association (BFA) taster seminar. A nationwide tour of informative franchising seminars run as a joint project between the BFA and Business Link and continues this year. There are two...

Resale of the month: Minuteman Press International.(Franchise Resales)
April 1, 2004... Minuteman Press International is one of the foremost and prestigious printing franchise organisations in the world. The exceptional growth of Minuteman Press full-service printing centres is based, in part, on its discovery of a void in the...

The right spirit.(last word)
April 1, 2004... There are lots of ways for a prospective franchisee to antagonise a franchisor. It is all a question of attitude. The franchisee's perception is often that the franchisor is running a shop which is selling franchises, and there are lots of...