Business Franchise articles from July 2006

Business Franchise archives from July 2006

Owner-managers see red over red tape.(NEED TO KNOW)
July 1, 2006... RED TAPE prevents 17.9 per cent of micro businesses, 17.6 per cent of small companies and 18.6 per cent of medium-sized firms from expanding which, in turn, stops them from recruiting more staff. The findings come from the Forum of Private...

Family affairs.(NEED TO KNOW)
July 1, 2006... THE MAJORITY of employees are no longer motivated by salaries or perks such as cars. They prefer, instead, to focus on 'fambition'--lifestyle issues such as holidays and family time. A MORE THAN survey of employment trends found that 84 per...

Swap shops.(NEED TO KNOW)
July 1, 2006... IN AN unlikely partnership, a prominent business lobby and an environmental group have joined forces to save Britain's local shops. The Friends of the Earth has launched its Shop Local First campaign, which has received the backing of the...

City & Guilds award to boost business.(NEED TO KNOW)
July 1, 2006... SMES IN manufacturing will benefit from an industry initiative that will not only reduce risks at work but boost business. City & Guilds has developed an exclusive award in Manufacturing Working Practices, supported by Proskills. Together they...

SMEs lose a billion.(NEED TO KNOW)
July 1, 2006... SMALL BUSINESSES across the UK lose 1billion [pounds sterling] a year using old telecoms technology according to internet provider, Inclarity. The study of over 500 owner-managers found that only one in eight is currently making phone calls...

SMEs blog standards.(NEED TO KNOW)
July 1, 2006... THREE-QUARTERS of SMEs don't feel sufficiently informed to be able to use new internet technologies like blogging and podcasting as effective marketing tools. The UK Business Barometer has found that smaller companies are unable to keep up with...

Emission zone unworkable.(BUSINESS NEWS)
July 1, 2006... THE FEDERATION of Small Businesses has branded the proposed introduction of London's Low Emission Zone as unworkable. In response to the Transport for London consultation document, the FSB believes the proposals are confusing and incomplete,...

Pension tensions.(BUSINESS NEWS)
July 1, 2006... PROPOSALS FOR all employers to pay a compulsory contribution to staff pensions would be costly and damaging, the Forum of Private Business (FPB) has warned. It has asked the Select Committee of MPs reviewing pensions to take account of the...

Elderly committed to working longer.(ON THE GRAPEVINE)
July 1, 2006... The majority of people want to scrap mandatory retirement ages and work longer, according to a poll of workers worldwide. A survey by HSBC of 21,000 workers in 6,000 companies found that over three-quarters want their governments to eliminate...

UK economy set for another boom.(ON THE GRAPEVINE)
July 1, 2006... Britain's economic growth is expected to accelerate in the latter part of 2006 and early 2007, according to accountant BDO Stoy Hayward. Its survey of clients reveals a leap in business confidence in the short and medium term. Contributing...

Home work to combat disaster.(ON THE GRAPEVINE)
July 1, 2006... Two thirds of UK companies plan to use home working to sustain business activity in the event of a serious workplace disruption. Research from Citrix, the access infrastructure provider, found that 66 per cent of firms had some form of plan to...

Councils must act.(ON THE GRAPEVINE)
July 1, 2006... Action in key areas by local authorities would make a real difference to small businesses and benefit the community through an increase in jobs, according to the Federation of Small Businesses. Its manifesto for local government contains eight...

Lack of strategy hurts profits.(ON THE GRAPEVINE)
July 1, 2006... A poll of Business Link advisers and analysts found almost unanimous agreement that few entrepreneurs produce a sufficiently robust strategic plan to develop their companies. Most SMEs look at simply moving onto the next stage rather than...

UK roads crippling profits.(ON THE GRAPEVINE)
July 1, 2006... The cost to Britain's SMEs of a failing road infrastructure has risen 40 per cent in two years to nearly 2 billion [pounds sterling]. Bibby Financial Services has released these figures in its annual transport survey, which identified...

Kall Kwik 'hired' by Sugar's apprentices.(FRANCHISE NEWS)
July 1, 2006... IN THE final episode of the BBC's The Apprentice, Kall Kwik helped candidates Michelle Dewberry and Ruth Badger in their final task by providing design and print services. The Kall Kwik at South Bank realised the challenge when both...

Scenic Blue strikes gold at Chelsea Flower Show.(FRANCHISE NEWS)
July 1, 2006... LANDSCAPE GARDENING franchise, Scenic Blue, left this year's Chelsea Flower Show as gold medallists after entering the chic garden category. The company's entry, titled 'Anna's Sanctuary in the Shade', represents an imaginative interpretation...

Pali wins a pizza the action in the US.(FRANCHISE NEWS)
July 1, 2006... FOR THE last six months, pizza makers from Domino's stores in the UK and Ireland have been battling it out to win the title of UK and Ireland's Fastest Pizza Maker 2006. Months of dough slapping and stretching skills culminated in the...

The big cycle.(FRANCHISE NEWS)
July 1, 2006... CARTRIDGE REFILLING company Cartridge World has supported the UK's biggest national recycling event. The BIG Recycle was held in June, and now in its third year, is a major campaign that aims to encourage the public to recycle more household...

Cut above the rest.(FRANCHISE NEWS)
July 1, 2006... COSTCUTTER, THE largest independent food retailer in the UK and Ireland, is planning to merge with supplier and fellow shop group Nisa-Today's. The two organisations are hoping to rival big supermarket chains as well as cut costs. The...

Push it to the max.(FRANCHISE NEWS)
July 1, 2006... IT'S NOT uncommon to work long hours and more than a five-day week in the business world. However, Bronwen Preece, who is partially sighted, runs a charity shop six days a week, raising funds for local hospitals and often staying until 9pm....

World Cup to cause chaos?(FRANCHISE NEWS)
July 1, 2006... A RECENT survey conducted by IPTV specialist, Exterity, revealed that nearly half of all employees will phone in sick or use their holiday allowance if they cant watch live events in the office, such as the upcoming World Cup 2006. The...

Big Mac rap.(FRANCHISE NEWS)
July 1, 2006... FAST FOOD franchise McDonald's is offering rappers $5 a play for any song that uses the word Big Mac. Run DMC released My Adidas in 1986, causing the global sports brand to disassociate itself from the free advertising. However, times have...

Paving the way.(FRANCHISE NEWS)
July 1, 2006... THE DRIVEWAY Doctor is offering all new franchisees a 30 per cent saving on their initial capital outlay with a three-year lease finance option for machinery and equipment from bfa affiliate, Franchise Finance. The franchises growing franchisee...

Signs of success.(FRANCHISE NEWS)
July 1, 2006... LEADING SIGNS and graphics franchise, Signs Express, has been presented with four awards at the National Sign Industry Awards. Signs Express Warrington received a highly commended award for best vehicle livery project with a commission from...

Powerpramming speeds ahead.(FRANCHISE NEWS)
July 1, 2006... EARNING MONEY may be the focus for many in the franchise industry, but Liz Stuart, a new addition to the industry with her novel powerpramming exercise class, is one exception. Liz started Powerpramming in 2004 to get back in shape after...

Be your own boss.(bfa NEWS)
July 1, 2006... THE 2006 NatWest/bfa survey reveals that one of the top motivating factors for being in a franchise is the desire to work for yourself. The majority of people surveyed began with a general desire to start a business and to be their own...

One day workshops.(bfa NEWS)
July 1, 2006... THE NATWEST/BFA survey for 2006 highlights that more than 50 per cent of those looking in to franchising for the first time, take the time to attend either a franchise exhibition and/or an educational seminar. The decision to consider...

Driving success: finalist for the bfa Franchisor of the Year Awards gathered together in London's Savoy Hotel on the 18th May for the announcement of the 2006 winners.(bfa NEWS)
July 1, 2006... The 2006 Franchisor of the Year Awards revolved around the theme 'Planning for Success', where franchisors had to demonstrate to the judging panel how they are advising, developing and monitoring the role of business planning within their...

Franchises to go.(WHAT'S OUT THERE)
July 1, 2006... Whether it's a coffe on the commuter run in the morning, a sandwich at lunchtime or a sit-down meal in the evening, eating and drinking are at the heart of our daily routine. A myriad of food/beverage outlets--many of them franchises--are open...

Snap decision: meet Rob Jones, the Snap-on franchisee, who at the age of 53, is continuing to push the envelope in terms of high-quality service and efficiency.(Cover story)
July 1, 2006... 1965: the year when the Beatles rode high in the charts, Winston Churchill departed from this mortal coil, and Thunderbirds were go! It was also the year that one of today's top franchises entered the UK--Snap-on Tools debuted in this country...

Accounting foe success: happy birthday to TaxAssist Accountants, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year--and judging by its success, looks set to enjoy more milestone anniversaries in the future.(PROMOTIONAL FEATURE: TAXASSIST ACCOUNTANTS)
July 1, 2006... This year, TaxAssist Accountants celebrates its 10-year anniversary. Having kept to its vision of servicing the needs of small businesses across the country, the network of more than 150 franchisees has a number of landmark achievements to...

Beating the holiday blues: Carol Davis investigates a range of franchises that provide entertainment for children in the summer season.(SPECIAL FEATURE)
July 1, 2006... SUMMER HOLIDAY MARKET Summer's here, and the competition for the children's market is ferocious. All over Britain, schools are breaking up and parents are wondering what to do with the little darlings till the school gates open again. And...

Glasgow has the force: a record number of business leads were taken at this years' successful British Franchise Exhibition in Glasgow. Business Franchise comments on all the action that took place.
July 1, 2006... EVENT: THE BRITISH FRANCHISE EXHIBITION VENUE: SECC, GLASGOW DATES: JUNE 2 AND 3, 2006 THE 2006 British Franchise Exhibition (incorporating the Growing Your Own Business Showcase & Conference) at the SECC Glasgow attracted...

The second sight: building on the success of last year's Scottish Franchise Week, the event returned with a vengeance to a strong reception from attending delegates.(SCOTTISH FRANCHISE WEEK)
July 1, 2006... SCOTTISH FRANCHISING was showcased again with a series of events taking place during Scottish Franchise Week 2006. The bfa Franchise Group for Scotland worked towards ensuring that this year's event, which ran from May 29 to June 4, built on...

The affordable alternative: 0-60 in just eight weeks--that's how many new franchisees have joined Kitchen Wizard in the last two months.(FRANCHISE FOCUS: KITCHEN WIZARD)
July 1, 2006... Kitchen Wizard's managing director Sandra Evans, realised the enormous potential of the fitted kitchen refurbishment market, and after enormous success in her own area in South Wales, has decided to offer a franchised opportunity to all, to...

Starring roll: whether you're new to franchising or want to start your own business with the backing of a well-known and regarded name, the United Carpets franchise is the answer for you.(FRANCHISE FOCUS: UNITED CARPETS)
July 1, 2006... Are you looking for that right franchise? Well, the answer could actually be beneath your feet. United Carpets is looking for high-calibre individuals with a passion for retail to become new franchisees in the North West, Central and Yorkshire...

Express conference: Recognition Express knows the importance of developing innovative marketing strategies in today's marketplace. Business Franchise talks to managing director, and this year's bfa chairman, Nigel Toplis, about his plans to drive the business forward.(FRANCHISE FOCUS: RECOGNITION EXPRESS)(Company overview)
July 1, 2006... 2006 is a special year for Recognition Express. Not only is it celebrating 27 years in business, but three of its longest-serving franchisees are celebrating 25th anniversaries. The franchise network has doubled over the last three years alone...

New recruits: revenue from recruitment of graduates is high margin and good cash flow. Take on a Pareto Law franchise to realise the potential ...(PROMOTIONAL FEATURE: PARETO LAW)
July 1, 2006... Like the idea of owning your own graduate recruitment and sales training franchise? What about a franchise from the company that secures the very best pre-screened candidates and then offers you both immediate commissions plus revenue share for...

The eBay evolution. from concert tickets, to houses, to Blue Peter badges--nowadays you can sell anything on eBay, and iSold It is taking advantage of the online auction culture that is rapidly expanding across the world.(FRANCHISE FOCUS: iSOLD It)
July 1, 2006... Experts predict that there is approximately 2,000 [pounds sterling] in unused goods in your home, unless, like millions around the globe, you've caught on to the trend of online selling. Last year, nine million people used auction website...

From little acorns: if you're a fan of interiors and have always wanted to be your own boss, then look no further--Oakleaf is a franchise operation that entwines the best of business with sophisticated aspects of design.(FRANCHISE FOCUS: OAKLEAF)
July 1, 2006... Founded in 1969 by Ben Banister, Oakleaf is in the line of manufacturing reproduction oak. Paying attention to every detail, Oakleaf uses a unique moulding and hand-finishing process to gain a real wood effect, with hundreds of possible...

Steer your career: established franchisor DTT has come up trumps again with the launch of its Driver Supply recruitment agency. The good news is it's more than your standard driver agency--a unique business opportunity that combines both training and recruitment.(FRANCHISE FOCUS: DTT)
July 1, 2006... A ready market is something that franchise partners dream of when starting a business and DTT has exactly that. Drivers are trained by its Driver Transport Training arm, which offers theoretical and practical driving courses including LGV,...

A day in the life ... : Alison Potter, 28, is the South Central franchisee for Axis Display, the distributors of display and presentation products. Here, she gives us an insight into the work she does and the benefits it yields.(CASE STUDY: AXIS DISPLAY)
July 1, 2006... Q. WHAT IS A TYPICAL DAY LIKE? First of all, I check for emails to check orders or enquiries from customers or potential customers. I then go on to our database. The clientele is already well established and I have a growing number of customers...

Northern highlights: the Franchise Exhibition 2006, the first ever franchise event for Northern Ireland, was a huge success for visitors and exhibitors alike, highlighting the fact that franchising is a rapidly growing industry in the region.
July 1, 2006... EVENT: THE FRANCHISE EXHIBITION VENUE: THE ODYSSEY, BELFAST DATES: MAY 12 AND 13, 2006 The Franchise Exhibition 2006, Northern Ireland's first franchise event of this scale, took place at the Odyssey in Belfast on May 12 and 13....

Money money money.(INDUSTRY EXPERTS)
July 1, 2006... My franchise has become more successful recently, meaning more money. However, what do you suggest that I do with the money--invest in the franchise or hold on to it for a rainy day, just in case the worst happens? Norman Laurimore,...

Safety first.(INDUSTRY EXPERTS)
July 1, 2006... I am putting together a new franchise, but to be on the safe side, what backup can I have in case any of my franchisees disobey the rules laid out in my contract? John Bilton, Reigate John Pratt replies Your franchise agreement,...

Experience matters.(INDUSTRY EXPERTS)
July 1, 2006... While browsing the franchising sector, what sort of qualities should I look for in a new franchise package? Brendan Lucas, Falkirk Peter Williams replies The prime objective in becoming a franchisee is to take a quantum leap...

Our panel of experts.(INDUSTRY EXPERTS)(Discussion)
July 1, 2006... Cathryn Hayes is HSBC's national franchise manager and an associate of the Chartered Institute of Bankers. She has been in her present appointment since 1994 and has a high profile within the franchise industry. Among many important roles, she...

Taking responsibility.
July 1, 2006... Can you tell me In simple terms how the bfa's ethical code of conduct works? Tania Salem, Rochester Brian Smart replies The Code of Ethics for franchising sets out the responsibilities of both franchisors and franchisees. It...

Changing hands: as networks mature, franchisors face a challenge to offer band new sites to prospective franchisees. As a result, franchise resales are on the increase.(HOT TOPIC)
July 1, 2006... It is true to say that there comes a time when even the most successful franchisee needs to move on. A proactive franchisor will identify franchisees with a view to raising the question of selling as a way of 'refreshing' its network. It...

Bargain hunt: Richard Watson goes on the negotiation trail, and explains why, in franchising, a little haggling goes a long way.(THE POWER OF NEGOTIATION)
July 1, 2006... I never ask the landlord the price of a pint. In shops I pay the quoted rate without demure. I accept charges and service fees without a qualm, and wilfully refuse to change my power supplier. It's when my sterling is changed into a foreign...

The price war: when you're handing over your hard-earned cash you want to be sure you're getting value for your money. Manzoor Ishani offers his expertise to help ensure the franchise cake is sliced up fairly.(FRANCHISE FEES)
July 1, 2006... The golden rule of franchising is that franchisors should structure their franchises to make money only if their franchisees make money. This ensures that franchisors have a vested interest in seeing their franchisees' businesses grow. ...

Business for breakfast.(FRANCHISEE OF THE MONTH)
July 1, 2006... JOE DUNCAN, 37 TERRITORY. Grader Manchester HISTORY: Began franchising in April 2004 after previous roles as an insurance sales person and a CISCO Sytems Engineer NOMINATED BY: Mel Fisher, director JOE DUNCAN attended a...

Nomination details.
July 1, 2006... Do you know a budding Richard Branson or a potential Rosemary Conley? Why not reward a successful franchisee for their achievements by nominating them as Franchisee of the Month? Please provide information for all sections and a...

A-Z franchise directory.(Directory)(Company overview)
July 1, 2006... Key Terms * Number of outlets Current number of franchise units in network * BFA member status Franchisor's level of BFA accreditation * Initial franchise fee Initial amount paid to franchisor ...

Be prepared: Bill Ewbank adopts famous Cub Semi motto, and reveals why preparation and good ideas are key to the successful franchise.(LAST WORD)
July 1, 2006... It is often said that franchising is the poor woman's (or man's) method of growing a business. This is, to some extent, true but to operate a successful franchise system you must make several preparatory investments. Others say that...