Business Franchise articles from March 2004

Business Franchise archives from March 2004

All the fun of the show: the British Franchise Exhibition was the hot ticket in town last month for anyone looking to start their own business or to find out more about franchising.(exhibition report)
March 1, 2004... Roads were congested and train lines blocked, but despite the adverse weather conditions visitors still flowed freely to the G-Mex centre in Manchester for the British Franchise Exhibition. An annual event, the two-day show offers visitors...

New chair for BFA.(franchise news)
March 1, 2004... BRIAN LEWIS of Cash Generator Ltd is the new chairman of the British Franchise Association for 2004. This highly prestigious position in the industry is greatly valued by Lewis who says: 'I am flattered and honoured to receive the...

MINIS go BRIT-pop.(franchise news)
March 1, 2004... SIGNS EXPRESS has just applied graphics to 15 BMW MINIs that are being featured at promotional events across the country in preparation for The 2004 BRIT Awards. The programme branding and sponsorship deal with Mastercard has meant that each...

IFA convention.(franchise news)
March 1, 2004... FORMER US president George Bush and his wife Nancy are guests of honour at this year's International Franchise Association convention. They will be giving the keynote address to guests at the event, and in addition to reflecting on their time...

Familiar face on board.
March 1, 2004... IN LINE with its continued growth, the Zockoll Group--which operates the renowned Dyno Group companies--has appointed George Oatham to the company's board of directors. Oatham has been with the group for 35 years and worked in most of...

First days at Mundays.
March 1, 2004... MUNDAYS Solicitors are pleased to announce the appointment of three new solicitors Patricia Riley, Shelley Blythe and Kate Galloway-Hale. Patricia joins the private wealth department, to deal exclusively with capital tax planning, and...

Worthwhile Alliance.
March 1, 2004... THE Franchise Alliance held a total of 30 franchise seminars around the country in 2003, giving people considering investing in a franchise the chance to meet leading franchisors in a relaxed environment, learn about funding and gain a...

Fame and fortune.(franchise news)
March 1, 2004... THE LATEST branch of Belvoir, the lettings specialist, has been opened by television presenter Phil Spencer. The property expert and star of Channel 4 programme Location Location Location gave the thumbs up and a champagne toast to the...

HSBC goes the extra mile for Molly Maid.(franchise news)
March 1, 2004... DOMESTIC CLEANING business Molly Maid has switched suppliers of its fleet of liveried vehicles to work with HSBC Vehicle Finance. Previously Molly Maid obtained its cars through a number of suppliers but wanted a more financially sound...

Weeds and the world wide web.(franchise news)
March 1, 2004... ONE OF the franchising industry's longest established organisations, Complete Weed Control, is supporting the government's New Enterprise initiative on a parliamentary website designed to promote new businesses. This year Complete Weed...

Benjys launches lunch war.(franchise news)
March 1, 2004... SANDWICH chain Benjys has declared a price war on competitors as it continues to highlight its position as high street consumer champion for breakfast, lunch and snacks. The chain has launched an aggressive marketing campaign to...

Fair forecast for Papa John's.(franchise news)
March 1, 2004... BUSINESSMAN Richard Anderson has signed a multi-store agreement with pizza delivery franchise Papa John's. Anderson made his name in the building and repairing of ships and forecasts that franchising will go down a storm in Scotland;...

Drain Doctor Plumbing issues flood warning.(franchise news)
March 1, 2004... DRAIN DOCTOR PLUMBING has expanded its UK and Ireland network to 84 franchise areas with the appointment of eight new franchisees--the biggest single intake in its ten-year history. The new recruits include people whose former career...

Salon overseas.(franchise news)
March 1, 2004... SAKS, the UK hail and beauty salon group, is taking its first major step in its bid to become thee top international salon group. The group's first salon outside the UK is set to open in Brussels, with more salons soon to follow on...

Orders mushroom for Riverford.(franchise news)
March 1, 2004... ORGANIC vegetable distributor, Riverford Organic Vegetables, has celebrated the delivery milestone of 10,000 boxes in one week. 'This is a huge achievement,' says Martin Swarbrick, the company's franchise development manager. 'Last year...

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

Beating the competition.(BFA news)
March 1, 2004... THERE ARE still a few days left for British Franchise Association (BFA) members to enter the BFA Franchisor of the Year Awards 2004, sponsored by the Daily Express and HSBC, and show how they have beaten the competition. Joe Notley,...

The challenge of rating resale riches: What is the value of a franchise resale? Johanna Roughley, BFA communications manager, reports on the debate that raged at a recent BFA forum.(BFA news)
March 1, 2004... THE QUESTION of who values a franchised business for resale is a thorny issue. Should the business be worth more or less considering it is part of a franchise network? There is no easy answer--some think the value of a network, with the...

Who should go to which BFA event?(BFA news)
March 1, 2004... Whether you're a potential franchisee or an existing franchisor, there is so much information about franchising out there--so many seminars and workshops you could attend--it can sometimes seem overwhelming. So how can you pinpoint what is...

Make a clean break: with such a variety of cleaning and domestic services franchises to choose from, you don't have to get your hands dirty to make a clean living.(market focus)
March 1, 2004... There's an old saying: where there's muck, there's brass. This is as true today as it ever was. In fact, the cleaning sector is still growing. Companies are increasingly looking to outsource their cleaning requirements, as are so-called...

Franchise opportunities for 100,000 [pounds sterling] and over: if you've got serious money to invest, make sure you do some serious research. Barbara Oaff examines what 100,000 [pounds sterling] can buy.
March 1, 2004... It's a pretty exciting time when you decide to run your own business, and even more so if you can invest 100,000 [pounds sterling] or more. With this amount of capital you can not only start your own business but also move to where the...

Turn on to switching off: running your own business means giving your all. But does it? Where do you draw the line and make room for a personal life? When does taking work home become inefficient in the long-term? Carol Davis finds out how to tip the work/life balance.(work/life balance)
March 1, 2004... Gary Wolff admits that he is the last person anyone should ask about switching off. As franchise manager for the performing arts franchise Stagecoach, he leaves his mobile on 24 hours a day to help franchisees. And at the end of the...

A smart choice of outfit: these days we're bombarded by brands competing for our attention, and Signs Express is perfectly placed to profit from this ubiquitous need for brand awareness.(Cover Story)
March 1, 2004... The signs we see all around us are a bit like clothes--we often only notice them when they're missing. Signs Express sees signs as the clothing of a business and as the front cover shows, it's embarrassing if you don't have the right look....

Legal eagles: new payment procedures and legislation have brought about big changes for care service providers in the UK. But, as Alison Coleman finds out, Carewatch franchisees have an advantage over the competition.(promotional feature)
March 1, 2004... In recent years the care industry has undergone massive changes, with the introduction of new legislation and government initiatives creating a much greater choice for customers. It is something of a challenge for care providers but as part...

Survair with a smile.(new launch)
March 1, 2004... There are many franchises that make extravagant promises and offer you the world but don't deliver. Survair Franchising Ltd, however, has a fresh proposition to tempt anyone. The company believes that 100,000 [pounds sterling] net profit a...

Undiluted profits: the idea of cleaning cars without using water seems like science fiction, but one franchise has made it a reality.(new launch)
March 1, 2004... Very soon a beloved British pastime could be wiped off our weekend schedules. I'm not talking roast dinners or Blind Date, I'm talking about all those people who spend Sunday with their cars, hosing them down and polishing them to perfection....

Going for gold: fancy that sun-kissed look all through the year? Tankwik franchisees can deliver it straight to your door.(new launch)
March 1, 2004... It's the middle of winter and you, like many of us, may well be wondering where you can get your next sunshine fix. If you were a Tankwik franchisee this wouldn't be a problem, as these businessmen and women have their own rays of sunlight in...

Stage set for dramatic growth.(progress report)
March 1, 2004... There will be over 480 Stagecoach schools throughout the UK next term. Considering that when it all began 15 years ago there were just three schools in Surrey, the franchise has a pretty impressive record of expansion. Britain's largest...

New year, new look: business Superbrand Kall Kwik has just launched its fresh new look. Sally Giles went to meet the masterminds behind the makeover.(in focus)
March 1, 2004... Image is everything in business. It takes time, effort and money to convey your corporate image to your target market and, more importantly, keep it there. So, if you've made your brand identity internationally successful and...

Be your own boss.(exhibition preview)
March 1, 2004... What do a city broker, a military policeman and an installation engineer all have in common? They, along with 12,500 other people, visited The British & International Franchise Exhibition 2003 to research the possibility of running their own...

Buying into the dream: finding a suitable franchise can be a tricky business, but for one Dream Doors franchisee choosing was easy.(promotional feature)
March 1, 2004... Buying a Dream Doors franchise 18 months ago has turned into a dream come true for 33-year-old Steve Walker. Based in Hull, he has seen his kitchen door replacement franchise become the fastest growing in the Dream Doors network. Until...

Get connected.(progress report)
March 1, 2004... The people at Connect 2 like to wow. Whether it's with their products or their showrooms, they recognise the need for that X factor, and reckon they've got it sussed. Even the description of the company's mobile showroom sounds impressive...

Time for change: Carol Davis reports on The Wilsher Group, a company that thrives on teaching others how to transform themselves and their businesses.(promotional feature)
March 1, 2004... Gordon Stoddart believes it was an early mid-life crisis that led to him become a franchisee with The Wilsher Group, and the 38-year-old says it's the best decision he ever made. As the human resources director for a FTSE 250 company, he...

Clean bill of health: Swisher has come a long way since starting In the UK in 1997, but how has it done that and what plans does the management team have for its future?(progress report)
March 1, 2004... Swisher's service technicians provide a weekly washroom sanitation service to businesses and commercial buildings throughout the UK. It's a franchise group that likes to get involved. It has been a finalist in the British Franchise...

Franchisee of the month.(class act)
March 1, 2004... Name: Lee Clerehugh Age: 37 Occupation: Minster Cleaning Services franchisee Franchise location: Sheffield History: Started in April 1995 Previously worked in financial services with Co-operative Insurance Society ...

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)
March 1, 2004... Q: I've been running a franchise for the last ten years, but have recently been diagnosed with an illness. What will happen to the business in the event of my death? John Camm, Twickenham Anton Bates replies A: I am sorry indeed...

Making better telesales calls: Part II: marketing top tips from Dee Blick.(franchise advice)
March 1, 2004... The telephone is a powerful tool, connecting you to potential customers in seconds. Don't confuse telephone relationship-building with telesales--there is a difference. Using the telephone to build relationships takes time. Your first call...

Regulation: the pros and the cons: Manzoor Ishani, legal expert, considers the cause and effect of legislating franchising.(franchise law)
March 1, 2004... Why are there double standards?' enquires a prospective franchisee. 'What does he mean?' I ask myself. It soon becomes clear. This particular client has narrowed down his list of prospective franchisors to two, both of which are in the...

How do you lose a loose cannon? When it comes to getting the right staff, or letting them go, it's easy to make mistakes. Make sure you know how UK legislation and best practice affect your business before you get It wrong on employment rights.(employment legislation)
March 1, 2004... The 'Pets are us' franchise is in trouble again. 'Dear Sirs, 'On Friday my little boy took his pet hamster to your veterinary surgery. Your assistant told him to open his own mouth and say "Ahhhhh". When I asked why, your assistant...

Need to know: taxes and reforms may leave us dazed and confused, but Barrie Pennington explains how we can avoid common pitfalls in business, from discrimination to banking choices.(franchise advice)
March 1, 2004... FREE TRANSPORT AND GARAGE SAFETY A 12-page booklet from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is aimed at helping small to medium-sized transport and distribution businesses. It urges owner/managers and drivers to be aware of common...

A taste of franchising.(BFA seminars)
March 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...

Resale of the month: Segafredo Zanetti Espresso.(Franchise Resales)
March 1, 2004... SEGAFREDO ZANETTI ESPRESSO WORLDWIDE is the sixth-largest coffee chain in the world. It has more than 350 franchised outlets across 30 countries in four continents. Business History The flagship cafe bar at Baker Street, London--the...

Why buy a resale?(Franchise Resales)
March 1, 2004... Existing franchises are sold for various reasons--retirement, ill-health, moving abroad, etc. Some franchise companies operate networks comprising hundreds of franchisees and more than one entry in the listings may simply reflect the scale of...

Buying into resale success.(Franchise Resales)
March 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...

Wing and a prayer.(last word)
March 1, 2004... Explaining the inexplicable--that is the problem. Like the vicar who is leader of his congregation having to explain why a loving God permits such cruelty to take place in the world. More devastating disasters than a rise in interest...