Business Franchise articles from February 2004

Business Franchise archives from February 2004

Four decades and still flourishing.(franchise news)
February 1, 2004... LEADING drain-care specialist Dyno-Rod celebrated its 40th anniversary with a gala dinner for its franchisees at Bosworth Hall Hotel in Warwickshire. Established in 1963 in South London, Dyno-Rod was the first company to introduce the...

Pastures new for Nugent.(franchise news)
February 1, 2004... MARGARET NUNGENT, well-known in the franchise industry, will be leaving John Burley PR after more than 22 years promoting the work of franchising in the UK. But Nugent is not turning her back on franchising--she is set to become a franchisee...

Gateway to Europe for Subway.(franchise news)
February 1, 2004... SUBWAY, the world's largest submarine sandwich franchise, has opened its 200th store in the UK and Ireland, just one week after achieving 20,000 stores worldwide. The store was opened in Chester by Craig Munro, a franchisee with Subway for...

Excitement a sign of the times.(franchise news)
February 1, 2004... LEADING sign manufacturer Signs Express has announced record-breaking achievements for 2003. At the group's annual convention, held at Dunston Hall in Norwich, the network heard of a 20 per cent increase in turnover, a succession of new...

Winning helps reap more rewards.(franchise news)
February 1, 2004... THE BFA's Franchisor of the Year, Recognition Express, has acquired eight new franchisees since August. Managing director Nigel Toplis says: 'We have ambitious plans to grow to 100 successful centres by 2008 and we are currently on target with...

Superhero in print.(franchise news)
February 1, 2004... THE BRAND COUNCIL has paid tribute to leading print franchise Kall Kwik by awarding it Business Superbrand status. Kall Kwik was selected for the final shortlist from thousands of brands judged by the Brand Council to join companies such as...

Stage a Mini franchise.
February 1, 2004... Stagecoach Theatre Arts plc is pleased to announce the safe arrival of the latest addition to its family: Mini Stages, an educational concept for babies and toddlers aged between six months and four years. Mini Stages has already opened its...

Jesson joins Pindar.
February 1, 2004... Pindar, holding company for the AlphaGraphics franchise and a total solutions provider for publishing and print, has announced the appointment of David Jesson as Pindar's group marketing director. Jesson has spent the last eight years in...

A little piece of plumbing history.(franchise news)
February 1, 2004... CAMBRIDGESHIRE couple Geoff and Pam Blackburn found they were sitting on an historic goldmine when their Edwardian outdoor toilet was declared the country's oldest working example of a flush lavatory. After a nationwide search, 24-hour...

Brushless but brilliant.(franchise news)
February 1, 2004... A REVOLUTIONARY new brushless car-wash system, based on technology used to clean abattoirs, is the UK's latest franchise opportunity. Managing director Jim Allison set up Bathgate-based Autoshine Express in 2000 and has four outlets in...

Third time lucky.(franchise news)
February 1, 2004... Collagenics, the UK's leading specialist in facial cosmetic treatments, is celebrating after signing its third franchise in three months. The company launched its franchise operation this summer and has just signed over its third exclusive...

The Chips are up.(franchise news)
February 1, 2004... CHIPS celebrating after scooping the Independent Retailer of the Year award at the prestigious video games industry awards. Chips was presented with the glittering trophy at the InDin, the UK video-game industry's annual celebration, held at...

Strength of franchise network wins in the end.(franchise news)
February 1, 2004... APOLLO Window Blinds Ltd has successfully defended the brand name and its registered trademarks in the Scottish High Court, with the award of an interim interdict against a local trader calling himself Apollo Express Blinds. Apollo's...

Innovation and taste titillation.(franchise news)
February 1, 2004... BURGER LONG has been awarded the 2004 MenuMasters award in recognition of its innovative menu. The award for innovation in the QSR & Travel category covers quick service restaurants and meals on the more, and was presented to Burger King...

Ovenu thrives in the heat.(franchise news)
February 1, 2004... OVENU, one of the newest members of the British Franchise Association (BFA), has demonstrated significant growth in 2003 and forecasts even greater success for 2004. Ovenu is projecting a turnover figure of 3million [pounds sterling] for...

Snappy Snaps wedding winners.(franchise news)
February 1, 2004... AFTER NEARLY a year of scouring the country and examining countless entries, Snappy Snaps has announced the ultimate winner in its 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding' photo competition. Job Zammit, a professional photographer from Southeast London,...

She's electric.(franchise news)
February 1, 2004... CATHERINE STOCKTON has become Mr Electric's first female technician in its 45-strong UK franchisee network. Upon completion of the first year of her 16th edition apprenticeship, the 23-year-old applied to numerous local electrical...

SupaGass passes Supertest.(franchise news)
February 1, 2004... WHAT CAR? magazine has delivered high praise to the vehicle-security franchise Pentagon Glass-Tech in its final 2003 Security Supertest. What Car? says that car windows remain a 'fatal flaw' in the security of the majority of models as...

New launch in driveways.(franchise news)
February 1, 2004... NEW BFA provisional listing member, The Drive Doctor UK, has launched its franchise opportunity this New Year. Operating in the previously untapped market of driveway and flooring refurbishment, Drive Doctor provides a service to residential...

Capelli SP[TM].(franchise news)
February 1, 2004... CAPELLI Salon Products (SP), distributors of the Lakme hair care range, has announced changes to the structure of the franchise which will make future investment more flexible and cost-effective. Recently awarded associate membership of the...

Boxing smart.(franchise news)
February 1, 2004... METRO ROD, the nationwide drain care specialists, has entered the boxing arena in an important sponsorship deal. Its East Anglia franchisees, Shaun O'Brien and Jean Mullen, have sponsored local Norwich Lads ABC Boxing Club and donated...

'Hola' to Spain for Adams.(franchise news)
February 1, 2004... ADAMS CHILDRENSWEAR is about to make its debut in northern Europe, through an innovative commercial partnership with leading Spanish footwear manufacturer and retailer Pablo Sky. The move is part of Adams' ongoing international expansion...

Know your membership.(BFA news)
February 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...

Fitter than ever for 2004.(BFA news)
February 1, 2004... THE MESSAGE at the British Franchise Association's (BFA) annual general meeting on December 11 was loud and clear--changes to the structure of the BFA have empowered the association to drive forward ethical franchising in the UK and beyond. ...

Communication is the key.(BFA news)
February 1, 2004... CONTINUING in its push to raise awareness of ethical franchising in the UK, the British Franchise Association has appointed a new communications manager, Johanna Roughley. Roughley will work on the BFA's internal and external...

New business creations.(BFA news)
February 1, 2004... THE British Franchise Association's (BFA) latest franchisee seminar gave attendees the opportunity to look at franchising from all angles. Run as part of the CREATE project, a European Social Fund programme aimed at encouraging more...

Wooden spooners.(BFA news)
February 1, 2004... IN THE WEEK England congratulated its World Cup-winning rugby union players, the BFA played its part by presenting the Wooden Spoon Society with the proceeds of the Chairman's Charity Golf Day and charity auction. The Wooden Spoon Society...

Dare to care: meeting huge demand for healthcare in the UK, franchises with Carewatch Care Services are proving it is possible to make money and have a caring career at the same time.(promotional feature)
February 1, 2004... THERE WAS a time when running your own business meant you had to be a hardnosed, heartless capitalist motivated entirely by money, with only as much humanity as was necessary to make a fast buck. Thankfully, that image has been turned on its...

The grass is greener: franchising offers ideal business opportunities for people with a passion for planting and paving.(market focus)
February 1, 2004... IT'S COMING up to that time of year: the worst of the winter is over and our thoughts are starting to turn to spring. For many people the promise of better weather is all the cue they need to get back out into the garden. If this sounds like...

Franchise opportunities between 50,000 [pounds sterling] and 100,000 [pounds sterling]: if you haven't found the franchise of your dreams below the 50,000 [pounds sterling] mark and really want to flash your cash, there are plenty of ready-made business opportunities to choose from in the 50,000 [pounds sterling] to 100,000 [pounds sterling] bracket.(special feature)
February 1, 2004... SO HOW FAR does 100,000 [pounds sterling] really go in franchising? The short answer is a very long way. There is a huge choice of opportunities, across a broad range of sectors. To succeed in one of them will take hard Work and determination...

Motivation's what you need: if you're finding your get-up-and-go has got up and gone, industry insiders can think of plenty of reasons for you to leap into action.(in focus)
February 1, 2004... WAGE slaves everywhere, eat your hearts out. As you read this in deepest February, 50 Snap-on Tools franchisees and their partners are winging their way to New York for a few rive-star days in a top hotel. The best franchisors motivate...

Ladies who lunch: women all over the country are taking control of their destinies by starting their own businesses in the franchising industry. Gareth Putt reports on a growing trend.(Cover Story)
February 1, 2004... ONCE UPON a time ladies who lunched were content to sit through lengthy, alcohol-fuelled meals in glamorous venues. New there is a new breed of woman bringing a very different meaning to the concept. Women all over the country are serving...

Find the right business blend.(new launch)
February 1, 2004... IN 1971, Italian brothers Sergio and Bruno Costa set up their own coffee house among the busy traders of London. Costa Coffee Bros CB Limited was bore. The company started life as a wholesale coffee business, selling its super[or beans to...

Make your franchise dreams come true: people know that investing in their properties is important, and as the kitchen is at the heart of a home it's essential to get that right. Alison Coleman reports on Dream Doors, the niche franchise that transforms kitchens at a fraction of traditional costs.(in focus)
February 1, 2004... 0NE OF THE keys to successful business growth is a grasp of market trends. And judging by the pace of its network expansion Dream Doors, the kitchen door-replacement franchise, is well on top of the booming home improvement market. The...

Insurance claims and profit gains: it's traumatic enough when property problems occur, but the misery of managing the mess just makes matters worse. That's why Concept Solutions franchisees are set to triumph from disaster.(in focus)
February 1, 2004... Y0U'VE JUST sat down in front of the television to enjoy a cup of tea and a test after a hard day at work when you feet something brush against your arm. It's a drop of water, then there's a bit of plaster, and before you know it part of the...

Get printing, pronto: traditionally, expensive machinery and distribution costs have prevented some people from getting involved in the quick-print industry, but Prontaprint is making it easy. Chris Woolford reports on the company's new lower cost start-up franchise.(in focus)
February 1, 2004... EVERY NIGHT across the UK, many thousands of young professionals go home knowing that when it comes to work, their glass is well and truly half empty. Job satisfaction has gone, buried by a mountain of gripes surrounding everything from...

Reeling in the profits.(in focus)
February 1, 2004... RUNNING a business associated with a world-class brand is something Gary Reid new 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 thriller in Manila: while we may be lapping up some of the technological advances that speed up our daily lives, old habits die hard and filing cabinets are here to stay. Gray Turner reports on Office Express Group, the stationery business that doesn't stand still.(new launch)
February 1, 2004... WHEN COMPUTERS looked set to revolutionise our lives at home and in the workplace, business commentators predicted that we would have high-tech, highly organised, paperless offices. In fact the reverse is true as we consume as much paper as...

Cruise to success: with water covering 71 per cent of the Earth's surface, there's a lot of the world we don't get to see. The booming cruise industry can show us what we're missing, in business and on holiday.(progress report)
February 1, 2004... WITH CRUISE packages the fastest developing sector in today's travel industry, About2travel franchisees are onto a winner. Over one million UK residents cruised during 2002 and the forecast is for more of the same, as increasing numbers of...

Show guide: The British Franchise Exhibition: Central Hall, G-Mex, Manchester, 30 & 31 January 2004.
February 1, 2004... OPENING TIMES: Friday 10:00 - 17:00 Saturday 10:00 - 16:00 Exhibition floorplan The British Franchise Exhibition Central Hall, G-Mex, Manchester, 30 & 31 January 2004 [GRAPHIC OMITTED] Welcome to the bright future of...

Fairway to heaven: the leisure industry enjoys continued growth and with that comes demand for related services, Golfplan, the UK's leading specialist golf insurance provider, offers legions of golfers peace of mind that's priceless.(in focus)
February 1, 2004... DECIDING on a new business venture involves uncertainty and risk. 'Is this the direction I want to take? What type of business do I want to get involved with? Can I trust this company with my Investment? Will my business dreams come true? ...

Cutting it: helping companies to cut costs as an Auditel franchisee Is nothing short of detective work, as one of the network's most successful franchisees can testify ...(in focus)
February 1, 2004... TIME SPENT in franchising has passed at a rate that feels nothing short of supersonic for Sussex-based David Lowe. One of Auditel's longest-standing franchisees, Lowe originally trained way back in 1995. Before he became an Auditel consultant...

The senior service: at just 22 years old, James Senior became Snap-on tools' youngest franchisee. Des Garnier went to find out how the tool dealer has fared since hitting the streets of Morecambe six months ago.(in focus)
February 1, 2004... 'IT'S GOING really well, I think. The figures are above what we budgeted and it's not quite as terrifying as it was in the first few months,' says James Senior as he looks at his Snap-on field manager Ian Thompson for reassurance. Thompson...

A game of give and take: getting into franchising and investing your savings in your own business might seem like a game of Russian roulette to some people, but ChipsAway franchisees are confident it's a safe bet.(in focus)
February 1, 2004... ONE MAN raking in the chips following a radical career change is franchisee Dave Anthony, although he doesn't think it was a gamble choosing a ChipsAway International franchise. Established in 1994, the automotive repair company is one of the...

The resale rich: whether you fancy letting someone else lay the groundwork for you and buying an existing franchise or prefer the idea of starting from scratch, Minster Cleaning Services offers a rewarding management opportunity.(progress report)
February 1, 2004... DOUG WOOLMER and Liz Symcox, joint franchisees for Minster Glasgow North, will realise an ambition of a lifetime when they retire to an old Victorian mansion on the picturesque Isle of Bute, having put their business up for sale just over six...

The new mobile age: Megan Dunmore talks to Van-Fit Direct, the mobile van-fitting specialists celebrating early success with their first franchisees.(progress report)
February 1, 2004... FOLLOWING a hugely successful launch at the National Franchise Exhibition in Birmingham last September, Van-Fit Direct has launched its first franchisees, all of whom have met with an enthusiastic welcome from leading van dealerships. Some...

Make a Brite start: the desire for possessions to look as good as new makes cleaning products a sound investment, say the team at new cleaning chemicals franchise StarBrite.(promotional feature)
February 1, 2004... WHEN StarBrite Chemicals was founded back in 1988, the brains behind the business knew immediately they were onto a good thing. What they couldn't tell was quite how much the marketplace would expand, and expand it has, so now the StarBrite...

Make your mark: Dee Blick from Monk Marketing Partnership explains to Jenny Gray why marketing know-how is as important to its franchisees as it is to their customers.(promotional feature)
February 1, 2004... EVERY BUSINESS recognises the importance of brand recognition. Getting your name and your product into the public's consciousness is key. No franchisor knows this better than Monk Marketing Partnership (MMP), whose combination of quality...

Have a holiday on us--our franchisees do!(promotional feature)
February 1, 2004... WITH TWO UK factories, over 14 years' experience, knowledgeable research and development teams and manufacturing staff, Lasertech offers its franchisees the most comprehensive support available. With 41 UK franchisees joining the network in...

Business partner for happy ever after: the relationship between franchisee and franchisor is often likened to a marriage. The Franchise Finder aims to match suitable franchisees with compatible companies to make perfect partnerships.(promotional feature)
February 1, 2004... ANY SERVICE that helps make the process of finding and purchasing a franchise an easier, less complicated experience is surely a good thing. To this end, Franchise Marketing Solutions has established The Franchise Finder: a comprehensive advice...

A taste of franchising.(BFA seminars)
February 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: Cash Express.(Franchise Resales)
February 1, 2004... CASH EXPRESS Surbiton, Surrey Cash Express (Surbiton) Ltd enjoys a superb trading location fronting the busy commuting rail station where upon trains run through Surbiton station and join the district line at Wimbledon. The unit forms part...

Buying into resale success.(Why Buy A Resale?)
February 1, 2004... LOOKING FOR AN ESTABLISHED FRANCHISE OPPORTUNITY? Most franchises have mature businesses with track records of success that can give you cash flow from day one. Resales are available in every part of the country, and in every type of...

Resale directory.
February 1, 2004... CLEANING SERVICES Safeclean Type of franchise Professional carpet, curtain and upholstery cleaning Territory available Manchester INVESTMENT REQUIRED 22,000 [pounds sterling] TELEPHONE 0808 143 0113/0161 740 3131 WEBSITE...

Cold calling counsel.(franchise advice)
February 1, 2004... FOR MANY business owners, the thought of picking up the telephone and making a cold call to a prospective customer is not one they relish. There are many reasons for this, with fear being the main one... fear of rejection, of losing focus, of...

Marching orders: every business is exposed to security breaches during its day-to-day operation. Richard Watson suggests ways to battle opportunist thieves and clever accounting.(franchise advice)
February 1, 2004... LIFE WAS never easy in the 1st Battalion The Queen's Own Mudguards. Time was shared between being worked to death, bored to death and frightened to death. I could fully understand why so many wished to join the trip to collect the weekly...

Need to know: most of us want to set up our own business but don't know how. Barrie Pennington gives tips on getting started and understanding staff, and how to save profits rather than spend them.(franchise advice)
February 1, 2004... SMARTER START-UPS GAIN RECOGNITION 'Anyone who has started up their own business knows that having a really good idea is only the first step. Ensuring that a business has the means to turn its good idea into a commercial success takes good...

Doctor and verse.(last word)
February 1, 2004... IN THIS magazine and other similar--but I am assured less prestigious--publications, you will have read 'case studies' of franchisees who have utilised their own abilities, the benefits of their franchisor brand name and their own experience to...