Business Franchise articles from May 2012

Business Franchise archives from May 2012

To coin a phrase ...(EDITOR'S COLUMN)
May 1, 2012... As an editor, I should be very wary of writing in cliches but you can bet your bottom dollar that as sure as night follows day, and much like the proverbial bad penny, they'll turn up time and time again... Seriously, though, I am on the...

Domino's staff help local animal charity.(FRANCHISE NEWS)
May 1, 2012... The latest reports from businesses in franchising * Staff from Domino's Pizza's head office recently paid a trip to HULA (Home for Unwanted and Lost Animals), to volunteer their services in helping the charity to create an animal reception...

Wilkins Chimney sweep expands its franchise network.(FRANCHISE NEWS)
May 1, 2012... * Man-in-a-van franchise Wilkins Chimney Sweep is delighted to announce the signing of its fourth franchisee, having recently awarded a territory to former Police and Trading Standards Officer John Parker. John's territory will be Malvern and...

It could be you!(FRANCHISE NEWS)
May 1, 2012... * Former IT manager Adam McCaig, 44 took a complete change of career direction, by setting up a Revive! franchise in Slough, repairing minor damage and scuffs on vehicles and alloy wheels. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Started out: I was working...

Lettings franchisee goes for gold.(MAY 2012)
May 1, 2012... * Terry Lucking of Belvoir Lettings Peterborough and Cambridge scooped the Belvoir Franchise of the Year Gold award at a recent black tie event. He also picked up a further three awards including, the Belvoir Rankings Winner award, the...

Secure funding with Snap.(MAY 2012)
May 1, 2012... * Snap Fitness, the franchisor of more than 1,200 fitness centres worldwide, is helping to ease the stress associated with securing finance by developing a proprietary vendor finance programme for its franchisees. The programme has been...

What sort of contact should I expect to have from my franchisor once I have set up my business?(Comment)
May 1, 2012... "It is important that there is flexibility on the franchisor's part as to how often meetings take place. We maintain an open-door policy whereby a franchisee can arrange a meeting at any point during their franchise ownership. This enables them...

bfa enjoys guest of honour role in Paris: the UK's voluntary self-regulating governing body for franchising.(BRITISH FRANCHISE ASSOCIATION NEWS)
May 1, 2012... British franchising took centre stage in the French capital this spring with the UK and the bfa being this year's guests of honour at the Franchise Expo Paris, held over 18 to 21 March at the Porte de Versailles Exhibition Centre. With media...

Hit the North! Major Franchise Exhibition helps visitors on the road to success.(Preview The British Franchise Exhibition)
May 1, 2012... Budding franchisees looking to find out more about an industry that currently employs nearly half a million franchisees and has an annual turnover of [pounds sterling] 12.4 billion, will find plenty to interest them at The British Franchise...

Dreaming of you own business? ... and a change of career? Buy an established brand with a proven track record.(The British Franchise Exhibition Preview)
May 1, 2012... "Franchising continues to demonstrate its tenacity and ambition as a stable, sustainable and proven route to business ownership. Even over the past few years of economic uncertainty we have seen further growth in the franchising industry with...

Take advantage of the FREE educational features.
May 1, 2012... Franchise Starting Point What is franchising? Where should you begin? What questions should you ask? How much money do you need? Have all your questions answered in one location before your hunt for that perfect business begins....

Comprehensive conference programme: whether you are considering investing in a franchise or are taking the first steps to franchising your business, these free seminars will offer essential advice on how to make a success of your new venture.(Preview The British Exhibition)(Calendar)
May 1, 2012... Friday 8 June 2012 bfa franchising panel seminars Industry experts provide practical independent and impartial guidance on all aspects of franchising. 10:45 - 11:45 An introduction to franchising For aspiring business owners who...

Franchise success: there are opportunities abound at the British Franchise Exhibition-here two recent success stories share their journey.(Preview The British Franchise Exhibition)
May 1, 2012... Franchisee tackles redundancy with Agency Express business Paul Cray, a printer from Basingstoke, had been researching franchising for seven years and, having tracked Agency Express closely, he visited The National Franchise Exhibition in...

Darren cleans up with new and unique franchise opportunity.(Preview The British Franchise Exhibition)
May 1, 2012... Mechanical design engineer Darren Pomfret was ready for a fresh challenge - something where he could take control of his working life and conjure up some excitement. The decision to leave his job and change career, however, wasn't an easy one...

Fit for finance: Cathryn Hayes on how to make sure your franchise finance application is successful.(Franchise Advice)
May 1, 2012... Choosing the right type of finance is important. For those starting up a business, the prospect of compiling a business plan can be daunting. It should not, however, be an intimidating process and a good business plan is a route map to future...

Q&A.(Franchise Q&A)(Interview)
May 1, 2012... [Q] My franchisor is asking for a deposit - what is this for? [A] By the time you get to a deposit stage in the franchise recruitment process, you should have been through a thorough and rigorous due diligence process. This will have included...

Discover the right franchise: Nigel Toplis gives his top tips on finding the ideal opportunities and making the best of franchisors' discovery days.(Franchise Advice)
May 1, 2012... Prospective franchisees will use different methods and media to seek out the right opportunities when it comes to finding a franchise. All have their place and all offer different benefits. Magazines are useful because they allow you to look...

Right to renew: John Pratt gives the low-down on renewing a franchise and what trading factors may affect a renewal agreement.(Franchise Advice)
May 1, 2012... The great majority of franchise agreements contain a renewal clause that allows franchisees to require their franchise agreements be renewed. Usually, the only exceptions are those franchise agreements that are granted for 20 years or more....

Bright prospects: visitors have confidence in exhibiting brands at London's only bfa-accredited exhibition.(THE BRITISH & INTERNATIONAL FRANCHISE EXHIBITION REVIEW)
May 1, 2012... "It's definitely been worth the journey. The seminars were encouraging, helpful and informative. I've identified several prospects to follow up on." The thoughts of Michael Didcott from Ipswich echo the feedback from many of the visitors to...

Go Direct to the best: EstatesDirect.com is a new breed of estate agent and is looking for franchisees to deliver great customer value whilst enjoying a flexible working lifestyle.(Cover Story)
May 1, 2012... INVESTMENT LEVEL: FROM [pounds sterling] 20,000 The days of traditional high street estate agents are coming to an end. Only a few short years ago homemovers would have no choice but to visit high streets to view properties for sale or let. A...

Two's company: taking on a franchise as part of a couple is a popular option--who better to have as a business partner than someone you love and trust already.(Special Feature)(Interview)
May 1, 2012... Investing in a new career can seem daunting, even with all the help an experienced franchise can offer. But as more than a fifth of all franchises are now run by married couples--with a further seven per cent male-and-female joint-ownerships...

Motoring ahead: the automotive industry has a proven track record of lucrative annual revenue and with the volume of cars on the road continuing to remain high, it's no wonder that franchising in this sector is a popular choice.(Market Focus)(Interview)
May 1, 2012... With an estimated 31 million cars on UK roads (data: The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders), and a consequent build-up of traffic congestion - incidences involving minor damage to vehicles has led to an increased demand for repairs....

Dig deeper: buying a Riverford Organic franchise is as much about longing for change as it is about running a profitable business under an established and ethical brand.(Franchise Focus)
May 1, 2012... INVESTMENT LEVEL: FROM [prounds sterling]9,000 Many Riverford franchisees have invested in the UK's leading veg box delivery franchise to realise their dreams of increased flexibility, or escaping the confines of corporate life. Hear from...

Plans to expand: after launching five new offices in January and with plans to open 40 more during 2012, Plug and Play is rapidly expanding to become a leading web-design and digital-marketing agency.(Franchise Focus)
May 1, 2012... INVESTMENT LEVEL: FROM [prounds sterling]5,000 As one of the UK's leading web-design agencies, Plug and Play has exploded into 2012 launching five new offices in the first five weeks of the year. Managing director, Peter Richman, says: "We've...

A measure of success: Franchise award finalist Shuttercraft offers an established brand and product in an ever-increasing market.(Franchise Focus)
May 1, 2012... INVESTMENT LEVEL: [pounds sterling] 16,900 Shuttercraft is the UK's largest distributor of interior plantation shutters, offering excellent opportunities in a growing market. In recognition of its success the company has been shortlisted as a...

Life of a sweep for me! John Parker bought a Wilkins Chimney Sweep franchise and has never looked back since.(Franchise Focus)
May 1, 2012... INVESTMENT LEVEL: [pounds sterling] 14,000 Faced with a future of pay freezes and cutbacks, ex-policeman and Trading Standards officer John Parker, wanted to regain a sense of control and, taking voluntary redundancy, bought a Wilkins Chimney...

See the light: LighterLife offers the opportunity to have a successful career and change people's lives.(Franchise Focus)
May 1, 2012... INVESTMENT LEVEL: [pounds sterling] 12,000 All too often we find ourselves asking quite what satisfaction we have in our existing jobs. Are we really making a difference? Do we actually have any control over our career? Can we have a...

Oven ready! Stephanie Rouse, a customer turned franchisee is cooking with ovenclean.(Franchise Focus)
May 1, 2012... INVESTMENT LEVEL: [pounds sterling] 16,995 Former high-flying company director Stephanie Rouse was one of Ovenclean's most loyal customers long before she invested in a franchise. When her husband Chris retired, however, Stephanie started to...

The caring company: Kare Plus offer a range of franchise packages in rapidly expanding market-demand conditions.(Franchise Focus)
May 1, 2012... INVESTMENT LEVEL: [pounds sterling] 25,000 - [pounds sterling] 30,000 It is estimated that the healthcare market in the UK is currently worth in excess of 227 billion per annum; a robust marketplace that is rapidly growing, despite the...

A franchise in bloom: franchisees with Granite Tranformations are extending their retail presence by opening in-store concession sites - particularly in garden centres where there is a large weekly footfall of customers who are exactly the right demographic for the home improvements franchise.(Franchise Focus)
May 1, 2012... INVESTMENT LEVEL: [pounds sterling] 18,000 (CONCESSION SITE PACKAGE) 0nline retailing is outperforming the high street in terms of sales growth, although it still accounts for less than 10 per cent of overall spend. One reason for this is...

From RAF to ERA: Expense Reduction Analysts gave former squadron leader Glenn Cotter new wings.(Franchise Focus)
May 1, 2012... Expense Reduction Analysts is a family-owned, independent organisation that, since 1992, has built a team of over 150 franchised consultants widely regarded as a leading authority on cost, purchase and supplier management. In today's economic...

A cast of thousands: Lawn care franchise GreenThumb is a brand leader and major employer in the franchising sector.(Franchise Focus)
May 1, 2012... At a time of economic hardship, with more than three million people unemployed, GreenThumb is showing how franchising is not only an opportunity for those looking for an alternative path in life but also a way of contributing to the business...

Success with express: Jan Chidley, owner of Recognition Express Hull and East Riding, provides a perfect example of women succeeding in franchising.(Franchise Focus)(Interview)
May 1, 2012... INVESTMENT LEVEL: [pounds sterling] 35,000 Jan Chidley, 47, was born in New Zealand and first came to England at the age of 21 for a working holiday. Jan did a multitude of jobs, including banking, working as a nanny and a credit controller,...

Recognition for franchisees: Minster Cleaning Service' annual awards recognise the efforts and achievements franchisees have made throughout the year.(Franchise Focus)
May 1, 2012... INVESTMENT LEVEL: [pounds sterling] 28,225 According to managing director. Mike Parker, it is the high quality of franchisees that has made Minster Cleaning Services the leading franchisor in the UK commercial cleaning sector and a major...

Ground breaking: Countrywide Grounds Maintenance specialises in a wide range of services with its franchisees building successful high-revenue businesses.(Franchise Focus)
May 1, 2012... INVESTMENT LEVEL: [pounds sterling] 44,950 As well as being an award winning franchise - bfa Franchisor of the Year 2009 - Countrywide Grounds Maintenance is also one of the UK's most successful franchise networks. With 50 franchised outlets...

Consider care: there are as many franchise types as there are industries. When it comes to considering home care, Caremark asks: are you overlooking a great business opportunity?(Franchise Focus)
May 1, 2012... INVESTMENT LEVEL: [pounds sterling]25,000-[pounds sterling]100,000 If the popularity of franchise exhibitions is anything to go by, there are plenty of people out there investigating all the opportunities on offer and wondering where to...

Mastermind: Tom Frame, ServiceMaster Clean franchisee for East Strathclyde and Glasgow, found a franchise to fit his needs and lifestyle.(Franchise Focus)
May 1, 2012... INVESTMENT LEVEL: [pounds sterling] 28,000 Having been made redundant after 20 years in the electronics industry, Tom Frame found a new career with a ServiceMaster Clean franchise in the East Strathclyde and Glasgow areas. Tom comments:...

Success is sweet! The egg free cake box is bringing a new franchise concept to the high street - fresh, on-demand egg-free fresh cream cakes for all occassions.
May 1, 2012... For special occasions or an everyday treat, most of us enjoy a cake of some sort, but our busy lifestyles means very few of us have the time to make our own, which is why the retail franchise offering from The Eggfree Cake Box is proving popular...

Zip to success: The Zip Yard is a recently established garment alteration franchise network and its growing success across Ireland, and increasingly the UK, is largely down to the fact that its service is not economy driven, making it a safe investment for franchisees.(Franchise Focus)
May 1, 2012... INVESTMENT LEVEL: [pounds sterling]32,000 The ZipYard is the most successful and fastest growing garment alteration franchise in the UK and Ireland where growth has been built on the back of quality, speed, convenience, unequalled service and...

New venture: Steve Cobb turned his passion into new image tiles.(Franchise Focus)
May 1, 2012... INVESTMENT LEVEL: FROM [pounds sterling]15,000 - 50,000 Left unfulfilled by lack of choice and poor customer service in the tile industry, Steve Cobb set up business with his wife Sharon, Iand New Image Tiles Studio was born and within a...

Moving on: the booming rentals market means house moves still happen - as two men and a truck can testify.(Franchise Focus)
May 1, 2012... INVESTMENT LEVEL: FROM [pounds sterling] 60,000 It may seem an unlikely time to start a removals business, but Two Men and a Truck has defied the downturn. A trade you might expect to suffer in a housing slump is actually on the up, thanks to...

Swift success: Mike and Matthew Yates beat the recession with Metro Rod and now run a thriving business.(Franchise Focus)
May 1, 2012... INVESTMENT LEVEL: 50,000 - [pounds sterling] 100,000 With an expanding workforce, healthy profits, and valuable contracts with household names like Pizza Express, BUPA and JD Wetherspoon, it's hard to believe that only 12 months ago Mike and...

Solid platinum: Jane and Simon Gillate created a business and income from a property portfolio after redundancy with the help of platinum property partners.(Franchise Focus)
May 1, 2012... INVESTMENT LEVEL: [pounds sterling] 52,970 Creating a property portfolio in excess of a 1 million that returns a healthy rental income of 135,970 a month within a year sounds too good to be true. But Jane and Simon Ciliate are proof indeed...

A first class package: trading in Australia for almost 20 years, Pack & Send has been operating in the UK for only three years but has already set new turnover records with high gross margins.(Franchise Focus)
May 1, 2012... INVESTMENT LEVEL: [pounds sterling]1 00,000-[pounds sterling]120,000 In just three years, Pack & Send UK has developed into an established business with high gross margins, impressive cashflows and increasing brand recognition, supported...

Brian Smart.(Sponsors & judges)
May 1, 2012... Director general, British Franchise Association Brian has been director general of the British Franchise Association (bfa) for over 22 years. He was previously marketing director and deputy chief executive of the UK's statutory training board...

Graeme Jones.(Sponsors & judges)
May 1, 2012... Head of franchising, Royal Bank of Scotland Graeme Jones has been the head of franchising for the RBS Group, one of the leading banks in the franchise sector, since October 2007. He has some 30 years' experience of operating in the SME market...

Jane Masih.(Sponsors & judges)
May 1, 2012... Senior partner, Owen White Solicitors Jane is the senior partner in the franchising team at Owen White Solicitors. She has been advising on all aspects of franchising for more than 20 years, as well as being an experienced commercial and...

David Thorp.(Sponsors & judges)
May 1, 2012... Director of research and professional development The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) David Thorp currently heads up the Research and Information and Learning and Development strategic business units of The Chartered Institute of...

Franchise marketing awards 2012.
May 1, 2012... Online marketing campaign CATEGORY FINALISTS: * McDonald's * Dream Doors * Home Instead Senior Care * The Wheel Specialist [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Winner: Expense Reduction Analysts. ABOUT THE...

Franchise resales listings: metro ROD - North West England, South East England & Midlands (POA).
May 1, 2012... With a remarkable 25 year history of growth. Metro Rod is an undoubted success story in the world of franchising. In demand, mature, proven and still growing - if you are looking for an exceptional opportunity with long term growth then...

Recognition express: exceptional resale opportunities.(Resale of the month)
May 1, 2012... Recognition Express has been successfully operating in the business to business sector since 1979--supplying personalised name badges, internal and external signage, promotional products, business gifts, exhibition and display posters, medals...

Franchise services: whether you are looking for a solicitor or media agency, want to exhibit at a Franchise Exhibition or need a bank, here you'll find a range of Franchise services to help you and your business.
May 1, 2012... Consultants FOS FRANCHISE DEVELOPMENT SERVICES Franchise Development Services Ltd Nick Williams t: 01603 620 301 e: enquiries@fdsltd.com www.fdsfranchise.com Locations covered: UK and International Searching for...

A-Z Franchise Directory.(Directory)
May 1, 2012... Please send details or amendments to: production@businessfranchise.com or call 020 8394 5272 The following franchise listings are a comprehensive reference guide to help you find the franchise opportunity that's right for you. They are...

A business that cares: Dale and Diana Bevington purchased their Home Instead Senior Care franchise in 2007 and have seen it grow from strength to strength.(Franchisee of the month)
May 1, 2012... Home Instead Senior Care is regularly recognised in care industry awards but for owners of the Finchley franchise, Dale and Diana Bevington, the awards are a celebration of the difference that their business makes to people's lives. Earlier...