Business Franchise articles from November 2002

Business Franchise archives from November 2002

'The best in a decade': NFE 2002 was the best-attended franchise exhibition for years, with almost 14,000 would-be franchisees travelling to the NEC to do business with some 170 exhibitors.(Franchise news)
November 1, 2002... The queue to the left was 200 yards long, the queue to the right stretched round to the ski show and out of the main entrance to Birmingham's NEC. When the National Franchise Exhibition 2002 opened at 10am on October 11th the would-be...

Don't knock failure, says Stelios.(Franchise news)(as keynote speaker at the Starting Your Own Business Showcase and Conference)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... Keynote speaker at the Starting Your Own Business Showcase and Conference was Stelios Haji Ioannou, founder of the hugely successful easy brand--easy Jet, easyCar, easyMoney, and now franchisor of easyInternetcafe. Virtually the entire...

New commerce role for John.(Franchise news)(as president of chamber of commerce)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... Leading franchise lawyer John Pratt has taken over as President of the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce. Pratt, a stalwart of Pinsent Curtis Biddle and an eminence grise of the franchising industry, is the first lawyer to be President for 20...

Andy Cole kicks off 30-minute workout.(Franchise news)(Ladies Workout Express 30-Minute Workout Centre)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... The UK's second Ladies Workout Express 30-Minute Workout Centre franchise has been officially opened in Cheadle, Cheshire by Blackburn Rovers and England star Andy Cole. The footballer, a personal friend of Cheadle franchisees Bobbi-Joe...

Get your money on Duckett's banker.(Franchise news)(horse racing and Franchising)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... Everyone in franchising is onto a racing certainty. Aren't we. Now, here comes Horwarth Franchising with the icing on the cake. Could Be Anything is a five-year-old mare owned by The Franchising Racing Club, and according to Horwath's Brian...

New Domino's outpost.(Franchise news)(pizza outlet)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... Domino's has opened its Northern commissary, a purpose-built 17,000 sq ft dough production and distribution facility and warehouse in Penrith, Cumbria. The 1.5m [pounds sterling] commissary will enable Domino's to distribute fresh dough,...

Six hundred licences in UK for Chem-Dry.(Franchise news)(carpet dry cleaning company)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... Chem-Dry, the world's largest carpet and upholstery cleaning company, has reached a record-breaking milestone by attaining 600 UK operating licences. Roger Annison, managing director of Chem-Dry Northern and Southern, says: 'We are now not...

O'Briens on its bike.(Franchise news)(fund raising)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... Thanks to a Fantastic response from franchisees, friends and business partners, O'Briens Irish Sandwich Bars is already well on the way to its mammoth fund-raising target for the Special Olympics. O'Briens has vowed to help raise 1 million...

Striving to excel.(Franchise news)(Prontaprint's digital print and copy centre in Leicester)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... Prontaprint's digital print and copy centre in Leicester, owned by Howard and Jane Linsley, has been named as the company's first Centre of Excellence, beating more than 200 other centres in the UK and Ireland. The Linsleys received the...

Let me through--I'm a drain doctor.(Franchise news)(Ken Kempson of Drain Doctor Plumbing saved life)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... When a Bolton ambulance crew rushed to the scene of an accident they found the 'doctor' was already there Ken Kempson from Drain Doctor Plumbing. While driving home after work, Ken had scan two teenagers trying to get help for a man who...

Saks and the city.(Franchise news)(hair and beuty saloon)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... Rapidly expanding hair and beauty franchise Saks has opened its new flagship salon in London's Covent Garden the largest and most exciting of the network of 80 salons nationwide. Spread over two spacious levels in the heart of London's most...

Chips plans a Christmas celebration with hot new games.(Franchise news)(CHIPS, video games retailers)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... CHIPS, one of the UK's leading independent video games retailers, is hailing its first-ever franchise conference a huge success. Joint managing directors Don McCabe and Nik Agar invited their company store and website managers, current...

Oscar's Martin heads down under.(Franchise news)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... After nearly ten years in charge of Oscar Pet Foods, Martin Dancy is to hand over the business to his son Richard and son-in-law, Richard Martin, and head off to New Zealand to start the franchise there. Many a UK franchise exhibition has...

New to franchising? Read this.(Wise Words)
November 1, 2002... Franchising can be the low-risk, high-reward route to owning your own business. It allows you to be your own boss, to build your business as tar as your talent and ambition allow, and best of all, it allows you to reap the profits personally....

New DTI pilot scheme.(Franchise news)
November 1, 2002... Small Business Minister Nigel Griffiths is flying high thanks to Business Franchise. The Minister is close to getting his helicopter pilot's licence after a summer of training with Business Franchise editor Pat Malone. The pair discovered...

Legionnaire Jim's over the rainbow.(Franchise news)(Kerr, Jim (paratrooper))(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... Disaster restoration specialist Rainbow International's Franchisee of the Year is former Foreign Legion paratrooper Jim Kerr, who has achieved a six-figure turnover in his business in just two years. Jim, who took on the Canterbury, Dover...

Carewatch on call: Carewatch Lambeth is pioneering a new idea in quality care for people with learning or other disabilities--supported living, which lets them lead independent lives while guaranteeing that the assistance they need is right there, round the clock.(Advertising feature)(Advertisement)
November 1, 2002... A pioneering Carewatch franchise in south London is leading the way with a new concept in residential care--'supported living', which allows clients to keep as much independence as possible while making sure they get all the healthcare they...

Prospering in a nation of shopkeepers: if you think you're suited to the challenges of a retail franchise, you'll find a remarkable range of shops to suit every taste and almost every budget.(Market Focus)
November 1, 2002... Retail is one of the most exciting sectors for the potential franchisee but--it is also one of the most difficult to crack. A diverse range of personal and professional skills is required to succeed. And the stakes are high: total investment...

BFA wins new promotion money.(BFA News)(British Franchise Association)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... The British Franchise Association has won second stage funding from the EC for a major campaign to promote franchising, particularly to those groups that are under-represented in the industry. The BFA's deputy director general Simon Wise...

BFA in e-marketing partnership with advertising.com.(BFA News)(British Franchise Association)(National Franchise Week)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... National Franchise Week was promoted on the internet via a sophisticated e-marketing campaign devised by leading web marketers advertising.com. One of the results was a significant increase in web requests for tickets to the National...

Prince's Trust sees the light.(BFA News)(British Franchise Association)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... A joint effort by the BFA and NatWest has convinced the Prince's Trust to rescind its embargo on lending money for franchising. The Trust has always operated an embargo on franchise funding, but nobody at the Trust could remember why the...

MRI invests in new HQ; top recruitment franchise MRI Worldwide says its new state-of-the-art headquarters will help give its franchisees an even better competitive edge.(Franchise news)
November 1, 2002... The continuing growth of MRI Worldwide has led to the opening of a new headquarters incorporating state of-the-art technology to maximise efficiency and allow for greater expansion and even better support for franchisees. The new office,...

Molly Maid thrives on jobs for the boys; Molly Maid is an outstanding franchise that is increasingly attracting management professionals, both men and women, who appreciate a solid business with significant growth potential.(Molly Maid UK Ltd.,)(Cover Story)
November 1, 2002... The very name conjures up an image of femininity. Molly Maid is clearly not in the dam construction or lumberjacking business; the house colours are pink and navy blue, the figurehead an attractive and clearly capable lady in a smart uniform....

New man at RBS: Nigel Thurlow has been promoted, and his place as national franchise manager of the Royal Bank of Scotland is being taken by his colleague and close friend Alan Smart.(Franchise news)
November 1, 2002... Royal Bank of Scotland's national franchise manager Nigel Thurlow has been promoted to a newly-created position overseeing marketing strategies for the bank, and his place has been taken by his colleague, friend and neighbour Alan Smart. ...

McDonalds ace Ken improves on the best: eight strong finalists exemplified the range of talent, the drive and ambition in the modern franchising industry--but McDonalds Southport owner Ken Deary pipped the field with a success story founded on adding value to a mature but receptive partner.(British Franchise Association Franchisee Of The Year Awards)
November 1, 2002... Ken Deary had set his heart on owning a McDonalds restaurant, but he faced one obstacle--he didn't have the money. But Ken doesn't let little problems like that stand in his way. Not only did lie get his franchise, but he quickly followed it...

Chris leads the way for booming HotBite: experienced caterer Chris Saunders has paved the way for other franchisees to benefit from HotBite, a young franchise based around a unique and in-demand vending machine that dispenses hot food around the clock.(Success story)(Chris Saunders)
November 1, 2002... New technology, coupled with extensive experience, has proved a winning combination for one of the first franchisees to develop a territory through HB Vending's HotBite system. Chris Saunders, HB Vending franchisee for Uxbridge, says his first...

Minster resales prove their worth: while new Minster Services Group territories are available in many areas, some high-quality franchisees have bought already established minster cleaning businesses and driven them on to ever-greater success.(In focus)(Minster Services Group)(Company Profile)
November 1, 2002... TEN YEARS OF SUSTAINED GROWTH The growth of Minster Services Group over the last ten years has been phenomenal. In 1992 the company had three branches with a turnover of around 1 million [pounds sterling]. Today there are 38 branches...

ViewPlus rides crest of DVD wave: in order to capitalise on the explosive growth of DVD, ViewPlus is planning to expand its successful network of home delivery franchises throughout the UK.(In focus)
November 1, 2002... DVD players have become the UK's fastest-growing consumer entertainment product ever. Faster than video players and the previous top seller, CD players. The DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) player sold an incredible three million units in its...

Xtra Curricula Maths goes to the top of the class: with parents ever more keen to ensure that their children perform to the peak of their ability at school, Xtra Curricula Maths franchisees are counting their blessings.(Advertising feature)
November 1, 2002... Xtra Curricula Maths was started in September 1996 by John and Adrienne Hall. Both John and Adrienne graduated from the University of Sheffield and intended to set up their own business. They saw a gap in the after-school tuition market and...

Franchises for less than 10,000 [pounds sterling]: budget limitations are one of the most important factors to consider when choosing a franchise. Over the next five issues, Barbara Oaff investigates what you can get for your money, starting with complete franchise packages costing 10,000 [pounds sterling] or less.(Special feature)
November 1, 2002... Your money can go a long way in franchising. A relatively small investment can buy an entire turnkey operation. You'll receive virtually everything to get started, from training and support to uniforms and stationery, stock and equipment. ...

Bike Medic builds a business from scratch: a franchise that flawlessly repairs expensive motorcycle panels that would otherwise have to be replaced makes its money by saving customers' money.(Car Medic)(Bike Medic)
November 1, 2002... Modern motorcycles are prohibitively expensive to repair due to the complex nature of their tailor-made panels, mostly fashioned out of hi-tech resins and specialist paint dyes. Insurance companies have been known to write off a virtually...

Financing your franchise.(Franchise advice)
November 1, 2002... BY Nigel Thurlow, outgoing national franchise manager of The Royal Bank of Scotland Let's assume that you have selected a franchise. After undertaking careful research and taking advice from your solicitor (on the franchise agreement) and...

Join the business of creating better people: The Wilsher Group, a success story in the personal development and coaching field for 12 years, is offering a novel exciting and lucrative franchise opportunity for professionals with the right experience, qualities and vision.(New launch)(The Wilsher Group)
November 1, 2002... The Wilsher Group, recognised as one of the UK's most effective training and management consultancies with a portfolio of blue chip clients such as Orange, Virgin, Visa, Company Barclaycard and Lex Vehicle Leasing, has launched a franchise...

Golfplan completes the front nine in par: accidents on the golf course are frequently in the headlines, but less than ten per cent of golfers carry insurance. Golfplan franchisees are capitalising on the increasing awareness of on-course risk.(In focus)(Golfplan International Golf Insurance)(Company Profile)
November 1, 2002... Just two and a half years on from the launch of its franchise operation, Golfplan International Golf Insurance has reached a milestone with the opening of its ninth franchise. Aberdeen-based Max Macpherson has taken on the East Scotland...

Express leader shows it means business: express delivery company Business Post is moving swiftly to capitalise on the tribulations of the Royal Mail, as well as implementing an ambitious expansion plan that will see the number of franchisees grow by 50 per cent in the next three years.(In focus)
November 1, 2002... New franchisees are an essential part of the ambitious expansion programme now being launched by leading express delivery company Business Post, which has come a long way since Peter Kane founded the Barrow-based cab company in 1971. ...

FASTSIGNS plans for fast growth in the UK: with more than 440 stores across the world, FASTSIGNS is an international institution, and its 15 UK stores have made it a fixture in this country. Here, some of the company's first UK franchisees talk about their experiences with FASTSIGNS.(In focus)
November 1, 2002... For thousands of men and women across the country, the thought of owning your own business and being your own boss is a dream. Ownership gives yon the ability to create equity and value in your own business rather than in someone else's, and it...

Images takes off: images, a unique and engrossing franchise which mounts children's art exhibitions in schools to help with fund raising, has held its first training course for franchisees who in some cases had already booked over 10,000 [pounds sterling] worth of work.(Advertising feature)(Images Educational Fund Raising Ltd)(Advertisement)
November 1, 2002... As a busy estate agent, Martin Harvey hardly saw his two children--but as a franchisee, he'll be seeing plenty of his family. With five months holiday a year, he plans to take them travelling to see relatives in Holland and the States. And...

A thousand successes in four months for pioneering Bin Masters franchise: Louise and Tony Gue have refurbished more than one thousand waste containers and skips and have already taken on their first employee.(Success story)
November 1, 2002... In just four months of operation in the Thanet area of Kent, Bin Masters franchisees Louise and Tony Gue have refurbished or repaired over 1,000 industrial waste containers and skips. To keep up with demand from local authorities and waste...

Everyone's a winner with Lasertech: recycling printer consumables is an industry that's experiencing explosive growth, and Lasertech Ltd is one of the fastest-growing franchises within the business.(Advertising feature)
November 1, 2002... Virtually every business in the UK has a number of printers, taxes or photocopiers. The annual cost of running them is very expensive, and for the past 13 years Lasertech UK Ltd has built a successful business manufacturing and supplying the...

Just the business! From two calls in this week to two technicians operating two vans in the second year, Drain Doctor franchisees Craig and Pauline Wilson have made a profitable transition from fruit farming in South Africa to solving the plumbing problems of the residents of Harlow.(A Life In The Day)
November 1, 2002... Craig and Pauline Wilson left a thriving business in South Africa to return to Britain and launched a Drain Doctor Plumbing franchise serving half a million people in Harlow last February. Craig has rapidly adopted the Drain Doctor systems and...

Freedom calling: when customers are offered a choice between a free telephone and one they have to pay for, which do you think they'll go for? Freephone Local Directory is building a hugely promising franchise on the back of that simple sales pitch.(Freephone Local Directory)
November 1, 2002... Steve Ashton and his energetic team have a simple challenge for prospective customers. Imagine two phones on your desk, they say--the left one is free, the right one costs you money to use. Which will you pick up? The free one, say...

Franchise resales: big profits on the cards.(Resale of the Month)
November 1, 2002... David Gambell always planned to retire at 58. Life being what it is, his target date came and went two years ago and he kept on working. But now, thanks in large measure to the success of his Original Poster Company franchise, David can afford...

How to give cash away: you can't pick it up white sitting next to Nellie, but you can become a millionaire with this brilliant sure-fire business plan that requires no effort on your part and guarantees you 10,218 [pounds sterling] for every hour's work. In your dreams, says Richard Watson.(Franchise advice)
November 1, 2002... It was identical to those brown envelopes that contain news of the latest loan rate offer from a banker. That's banker, with a B. It held a letter sent by David Rhodes. Now David lives somewhere in Norfolk. Big county, Norfolk, makes him hard...

Need to know ...: the DTI has heaps of clever ideas that'll make you more money, but the Inland Revenue plans to charge 60 [pounds sterling] for every day your tax return is overdue while putting a lifetime cap on how much you can stash in your pension.(On the grapevine)
November 1, 2002... NO HELP FROM EUROPE SMEs are not reaping the rewards promised by the European single market, according to a European Commission report. Although SMEs make up 70 per cent of Europe's business community, they are thwarted in efforts to...

Ovenu races ahead.(movers & shakers)(Ovenu Franchising Ltd.)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... Ovenu Franchising Ltd, the oven valeting franchise, has experienced a huge increase in take-up of its franchise opportunity in recent months. Founder Rik Hellewell says: 'I've always believed that recruitment is easier for franchises that...

Simone's year to remember.(movers & shakers)(Simone Berisford-Ince)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... Simone Berisford-Ince, proprietor of Molly Maid in Knutsford, is celebrating the first anniversary of the establishment of the business, which has grown beyond the expectations of Chief Executive Pain Bader OBE. Pam says: 'By following Molly...

Hoare to drive Rookway in the UK.(movers & shakers)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... Rookway Food Systems, the European master franchise holder for leading American fast food company Orion Food Systems, has recruited Canadian Tim Hoare to spearhead a drive for new outlets in the UK. Rookway is set to reap the benefit of...

John Foad appointed MD at ServiceMaster.(movers & shakers)(managing director)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... John Foad has been promoted to managing director at ServiceMaster. He brings a wealth of experience to the job--before joining head office, John and wife Julia owned a successful ServiceMaster Clean Residential and Disaster Restoration...

Cleaning boss Alan learns to fill his vases.(movers & shakers)(Alan Collins)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... A year of strange requests and misunderstandings hasn't put Alan Collins off the business he now loves. Alan, who became a ServiceMaster Contract Services franchisee in south east London when his clothing factories closed down, says: 'I was...