Business Franchise articles from September 2009

Business Franchise archives from September 2009

Unbeatably smart!
September 1, 2009... Managing Director of the Car Medic International Group, Andrew Hack says that with OEM approval from manufacturers such as Honda, BMW & Mercedes--plus a unique fault rectification service and technical back up for franchisees, their...

Business in demand.
September 1, 2009... In January 2009, after spending eight years in the finance industry, Jeff Lewis took on a Car Medic and Caravan Medic business from the UK's number one smart repair franchise group. "I wanted a complete change of direction," said Jeff, "I...

It's all in the retail.(EDITOR'S column)
September 1, 2009... AS THE summer draws to a close and the post-holiday blues set in, take a minute to browse through this glossy, potentially life-changing magazine. Yes. I went there, I've said it: life changing. So what have we got in store for you this month?...

What's in store for retail?(Franchise news)
September 1, 2009... * RETAIL FRANCHISES should be saving between 10 and 15 per cent of set-up costs, according to Domino's Business Development Director Andy Emmerson. In an exclusive interview with Business Franchise, Andy revealed that landlords are willing to...

New launch: Orange to launch 10 franchises.(Franchise news)
September 1, 2009... * ORANGE HAS launched a franchising strategy for the UK, arming to open 10 franchised stores by the end of 2009. The scheme follows O2's franchised model, which started in November 2005 and now has 96 franchisees. The network wants to take...

Stat-o-meter: fast food facts.(Franchise news)
September 1, 2009... 196,4m [pounds sterling] Domino's Pizzas sales for the past six months 12,75 [pounds sterling] UK consumer's spend on eating out per week 128 Number of meals eaten out each year for each person in the UK 35% Percentage of...

The R-word.(Franchise news)
September 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Q: How is the recession affecting franchisees? Lisa Bennett, LighterLife franchisee "I don't think any business could say they haven't been affected in some way by the recession. We have had some clients that have...

Eating out is in.(Franchise news)
September 1, 2009... * The 2009 Eating Out in the UK report, sponsored by McDonald's, claimed that food franchises are on the up and expected to rise further in the future. There will be a 'recession legacy', suggesting that only businesses that can meet new...

Expert comment: negotiable fees?(Franchise news)
September 1, 2009... * SO IT'S a recession, but should franchisors be reducing franchise fees during the recession? In last month's issue of Business Franchise, the bfa's director general warned that discounted fees could compromise the quality of support for...

Quote of the month.(Franchise news)
September 1, 2009... "You've got to love what you do to really make things happen." Philip Green, British billionaire of the Arcadia Group

Big birds.(NEWS shorts)
September 1, 2009... * Fastsigns franchisee Simon Rees has been called upon to provide large 32cm-wide branded ducks for the Llanelli Duck Race, taking place on 30 August near Swansea in association with the Llanelli Sea Cadets. Simon Rees, owner of FASTSIGNS...

Bank statement.(NEWS shorts)
September 1, 2009... * Business confidence is rising from recent record lows, according to the latest Business in Britain survey from Lloyds TSB Commercial. However profits are still under pressure and investment, recruitment and prices remain constrained. Managing...

Easy times for easyHotel.(Franchise news)
September 1, 2009... * EASYHOTEL has seen buoyant trading across its London hotel portfolio from April to June. The super budget franchised brand is expanding its overseas offering, with the most recent hotel opening in Larnaka, Cyprus. Further properties are...

Festival fever.(Franchise news)
September 1, 2009... * DOMINO'S PIZZA'S new mobile unit, which launched in June, has set two new sales records during its first appearance at an outside event--the 2009 Download Festival. The 'store on wheels' which is believed to be the biggest mobile food unit in...

Best in business: in this year's search for the UK's top franchisees, 10 have reached the final of the bfa Franchisee of the Year Awards.(British Franchise Association)
September 1, 2009... THE BFA'S national annual Franchisee of the Year Awards highlight the outstanding efforts, achievements and stories of the top franchisees in the UK. This year's finalists are all great examples of how dedicated they are despite today's...

Show preview: the UK's largest franchise exhibition is the place to be this October if you want to get ahead in franchising.(The National Franchise Exhibition 2009)
September 1, 2009... FRANCHISING IS offering a vast range of exciting opportunities even during the recession. According to the annual Natwest/bfa survey, franchising contributed 11.4 billion [pounds sterling] to the country's GDP in 2008 and was one of the few...

Meet the franchisees.(The National Franchise Exhibition)
September 1, 2009... Here are four franchisees who chose to go into franchising following a visit to The National Franchise Exhibition Cash Generator WHEN JAYNE Broadley attended the National Franchise Exhibition in 2007, she was determined to uncover a...

Cart'wheel of fortune: more than one in four franchises are run by husband-and-wife teams. Here two Cartridge World couples share their secrets to success.(Cover story)(Company overview)
September 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] IT MIGHT seem like an odd time to think about becoming your own boss, but not all businesses fare badly during a recession--in fact, some positively thrive. And one way of minimising risk whilst taking charge of your...

Set up shop: the harsh blows of the recession have been felt on the high street. Yet, with less competition and cheaper retail premises on the market, now is the perfect time to invest in a retail franchise.(MARKET FOCUS)
September 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] THE RETAIL sector has always been a competitive one. The fight for retail space and the right location is fierce, and often businesses can fail if they don't get this right. The past 12 months have seen a number of...

Double act: working with your partner can be a match made in business heaven. Vesna Siljanovska talks to six couples to find out how to make your franchise a success--together.(MAIN FEATURE)
September 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] RUNNING A franchise with your partner could be like putting all your eggs in one basket. But add a proven business format, the chances of your business hatching into a profitable enterprise are significantly higher. It...

Sweet success: with Sweetsellers you will be selling sweets and snacks, while helping charity too.(FRANCHISE FOCUS: Franchise under 10,000 [pounds sterling])
September 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] SWEETSELLERS IS an ethical way of selling (and eating!) sweets. It is a low investment franchise, offering immediate returns, high turnover, flexibility and great job satisfaction. Boxes of high quality traditional...

Funky franchise: FunkyDiva Music provides digital jukebox systems for hire--perfect for the iPod generation.(FRANCHISE FOCUS: Franchises under 10,000 [pounds sterling])
September 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] PARTIES ARE big business and almost every party needs music, be it a birthday party, dinner party, corporate event, wedding or a 'just because' bash. People want their parties to be remembered and FunkyDiva Music can...

Word on the street: pedal power your way to success with The Advertising Bike Co.(NEW LAUNCH: Franchises from 10,000 [pounds sterling] to 20,000 [pounds sterling])
September 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] THE ADVERTISING Bike Co.--'The ABC'--franchise is a breath of fresh air on the local outdoor advertising landscape. The keystone of this franchise business is to provide high-impact mobile poster advertising campaigns...

Back to school: Cathy Gillard set up Laptop Learning to teach computer skills to people in the comfort of their homes.(NEW LAUNCH: Franchises from 10,000 [pounds sterling] to 20,000 [pounds sterling])
September 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] LAPTOP LEARNING provides IT tutors to help people improve their computer skills. Learning takes place at the customer's own speed, and at a time and place to suit them, usually in the comfort of their own home using...

Be part of something bigger with the Freedom Travel Gateway.(ADVERTORIAL: Franchises from 10,000 [pounds sterling] to 20,000 [pounds sterling])
September 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] LOTS OF people want to get into the travel industry today, and its little wonder. It is an exciting and satisfying business to work in and continues to experience massive growth worldwide. Finding the right business...

Keeping it in the family: husband and wife, Jayne and Andy Hetherington have both taken on a LighterLife franchise.(FRANCHISE FOCUS: Franchises from 10,000 [pounds sterling] to 20,000 [pounds sterling])
September 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "LOSING FOUR and a half stones on the LighterLife Programme was an empowering experience," says Jayne. "I travelled 30 minutes each way to attend my weekly group meeting but it was well worth it. Once I knew that...

Home work: Apollo Blinds has recently launched its new mobile franchise--Apollo at home.(FRANCHISE FOCUS: Franchises from 10,000 [pounds sterling] to 20,000 [pounds sterling])
September 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] APOLLO AT home is a new mobile franchise specifically designed as an entry level opportunity into the lucrative window blinds industry recently estimated to be worth around 1 billion [pounds sterling]. Apollo Blinds...

No frills fitness: Fit4less, by energie, brings you no frills fitness clubs, offering members great quality and huge savings.(FRANCHISE FOCUS: Franchises from 10,000 [pounds sterling] to 20,000 [pounds sterling])
September 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] FIRST CONSUMERS embraced the no frills airlines, offering online booking and big savings, and then no frills supermarkets began to outperform the more established brands on our high streets. Now Fit4less, by energie,...

Top gear: voluntary redundancy led Drew Davis to take on a Mobile Car Valeting franchise.(FRANCHISE FOCUS: Franchises from 10,000 [pounds sterling] to 20,000 [pounds sterling])
September 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] MOBILE CAR Valeting (MCV) offers valeting services across all areas of the UK and Ireland to anybody with a vehicle, whether it's a car, boat or plane. Franchisee Drew Davis took voluntary redundancy in 2008...

Pension pot: after being made redundant in his 50s, Andrew Barrell turned his life around with Charisnack.(FRANCHISE FOCUS: Franchises from 10,000 [pounds sterling] to 20,000 [pounds sterling])
September 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ANDREW BARRELL, 56, was made redundant in 2005 after a long career in retail. He says: "I spent 15 months sending out hundreds of CVs each day without receiving any replies. I got the idea that no one wants to employ...

A healthy opportunity: help serial dieters to shed pounds with a dietcare weight loss clinic.(FRANCHISE FOCUS: Franchises from 10,000 [pounds sterling] to 20,000 [pounds sterling])
September 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] DIETCARE HAS been in the healthy eating, weight management business since 1976 and is a leading authority in the field of obesity, with more than 30 years' experience helping struggling slimmers to achieve their dream...

Crime fighters: Cava Guard Group launches new products to meet the increased demand for security services.(FRANCHISE FOCUS: Franchises from 10,000 [pounds sterling] to 20,000 [pounds sterling])
September 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CAVA GUARD Group has recently launched CCTV monitoring as an addition to its franchisee's range of services, particularly important at a time when recent Government figures have revealed that there is a recession crime...

Booming market: Dublcheck continues to clean up for its franchisees.(FRANCHISE FOCUS: Franchises under 10,000 [pounds sterling])
September 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] DUBLCHECK is the franchise that does not require an ability to sell. The company obtains all the business for franchisees, so that they know exactly what turnover they get. This enables franchisees to concentrate on...

Dream homes: David Reid Homes launches its first UK show home, along with three new franchisees.(FRANCHISE FOCUS: Franchises from 20,000 [pounds sterling] to 50,000 [pounds sterling])
September 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] DAVID REID Homes is an international building company specialising in unique architectural designs and high quality craftsmanship for luxury homes. It has recently launched its franchised design and build system and...

Fresh idea: Peter McLaughlin was attracted to the idea of a ready-made business with The Happy Plaice.(FRANCHISE FOCUS: Franchises from 20,000 [pounds sterling] to 50,000 [pounds sterling])
September 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] THE HAPPY Plaice franchisees sell fresh fish and chips from a fully liveried van in those hard-to-reach rural areas of the UK. Franchisor Karen Martell set up the business in 2006 and began franchising in 2008 and she...

Go green: the micro-renewable energy market is one of the fastest growing sectors in the UK. Get on board with Ecoliving.(NEW LAUNCH: Franchises from 20,000 [pounds sterling] to 50,000 [pounds sterling])
September 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] WORKING WITH Ecoliving's proven business concept in what is probably the fastest growing sector in the UK, Ecoliving franchisees can look forward to a bright future in the micro-renewable energy market. Tackling the...

Take two: why husband and wife team, Stephen and Ciorsdan Price have the perfect partnership.(FRANCHISE FOCUS: Franchises from 20,000 [pounds sterling] to 50,000 [pounds sterling])
September 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "WHEN YOU go into a franchise, you need to be sure it's a business you can trust, with a proven track record," says Recognition Express Managing Director Nigel Toplis. "With Recognition Express you can be part of a...

Snap happy: Paula McClelland explains how her Photography for Little People franchise fits in with family life.(FRANCHISE FOCUS: Franchises from 20,000 [pounds sterling] to 50,000 [pounds sterling])
September 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] PAULA MCCLELLAND, 34, from Newcastle had been a sales representative at a pharmaceutical company for nearly 13 years, but as she approached the end of her maternity leave with her second daughter, she knew she needed...

It's showtime! Peter and Ceris Watts chose lettings agency Belvoir after visiting a franchise exhibition.(FRANCHISE FOCUS: Franchises from 20,000 [pounds sterling] to 50,000 [pounds sterling])
September 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] PETER AND Ceris Watts launched independent lettings agency Belvoir West Bridgford in 2007, following a visit to the annual National Franchise Exhibition at NEC Birmingham the previous October. "We both had a...

One for the kids: ComputerXplorers teaches ICT skills to children in after-school clubs, summer camps and pre-schools.(FRANCHISE FOCUS: Franchises from 20,000 [pounds sterling] to 50,000 [pounds sterling])
September 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ORIGINATING IN America more than 20 years ago, ComputerXplorers was introduced to the UK in 2005. There are currently ten franchises located across the country in Thames Valley, Norfolk, mid Sussex, south Midlands, the...

Formula One: Auditel celebrates its 15th anniversary with a record year.(FRANCHISE FOCUS: Franchises from 20,000 [pounds sterling] to 50,000 [pounds sterling])
September 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] AUDITEL, THE UK's leading home-based executive franchise, is celebrating its 15th anniversary with a record number of new franchisees. Founded in 1994, Auditel is a full member of the British Franchise Association...

There's no 'I' in team: you may be running your own business, but you won't be alone with Minster Cleaning Services.(FRANCHISE FOCUS: Franchises from 20,000 [pounds sterling] to 50,000 [pounds sterling])
September 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] TEAMWORK IS a vital part of our everyday life: we're members of a family team, sports teams, quiz teams, community teams and teams at work. Teamwork divides the task and multiplies the success. The acronym...

Perfect partners: former weapons designer Carl Puran has just renewed his contract with lettings franchise Xperience.(FRANCHISE FOCUS: Franchises from 20,000 [pounds sterling] to 50,000 [pounds sterling])(Company overview)
September 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ESTABLISHED IN 1992, lettings specialist Xperience has grown into one of the most successful franchising networks in the UK. With more than 80 branches strategically located and operating as four distinct brands, Ellis...

Law and order: considering avoiding franchises tied up in the property market? Think again with Xpress Legal.(FRANCHISE FOCUS: Franchises from 20,000 [pounds sterling] to 50,000 [pounds sterling])
September 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] AS THE recession continues you may feel that a franchise operating around the housing market would be hit worse than most. X-Press Legal Services provides a service to solicitors and other property professionals, and...

Snap it up! Easy-ID is to launch UK photo booth franchise.(NEW LAUNCH: Franchises from 50,000 [pounds sterling] to 100,000 [pounds sterling])(Company overview)
September 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] FOLLOWING ON from Easy-ID's success over the past 10 years, the manufacturer of digital photo booths is about to offer franchise opportunities throughout the UK. The official franchise launch is set for October 2009...

We're flamin' serious--are you? Forget career ladders. Get on the Burger King escalator and be part of a dynamic global brand.(FRANCHISE FOCUS: Franchises from 300,000 [pounds sterling])
September 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] THE BURGER King network currently boasts more than 11,000 restaurants around the world in more than 60 countries. Its impressive growth relies on the success of franchisees. And today, with its focus on developing...

Delivering results: Dave Tester's phenomenal achievements for Mail Boxes Etc. have ensured his place as franchisee of the month.(FRANCHISEE CLOSE-UP)
September 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] BRIGHTON FRANCHISEE Dave Tester, 62, is Mail Boxes Etc.'s (MBE) franchisee of the year, selected from a network of more than 100 high street one-stop business service centres across the UK and Ireland. Dave was awarded...

Best in show: get the most out of the UK's largest franchise exhibition this autumn with these words of wisdom from franchise consultant Peter Williams.(BEST practice)
September 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] WITH SUMMER holidays over, evenings drawing in and autumn approaching, this is the time of year when many people reflect on their future, reconsider ambitions, ponder alternatives to the uncertainties of being an...

Support structure: franchise expert Manzoor Ishani looks at why franchisees and franchisors can fall out and explains how to achieve a healthy relationship.(Franchisee rights)
September 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] WHEN A franchisor and franchisee are at loggerheads, franchisees give of one or more of the following reasons: 1. The franchisee's expectations have not been met; the franchisor misrepresented the franchise to them...

Q&A.(FRANCHISE ADVICE)
September 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] THE PANEL Andrew Pena Andrew is the founding partner of Cubism Law, a specialist franchising law firm with offices in Chancery Lane, which operates a unique franchised based business model. Peter Williams ...

The glass is half full; concerned about becoming a franchisee in the current recession? Elise Billy and Rebecca Jones reveal why you should seize the opportunity now.(FRANCHISE ADVICE: HOT topic)
September 1, 2009... THE YEAR is 2009, the country is in the grip of recession, unemployment is rising, redundancies are taking place and there is an increase in business failure numbers. So this is a great time to start your own business as a franchisee! This...

Franchise services.(Directory)
September 1, 2009... Consultants The Franchising Centre Brian Duckett t: 0870 458 6682 / +44 (0) 1904 561598 e: info@thefranchisingcentre.com www.franchise-consultants.com Locations covered: UK & worldwide The Franchising Centre provides an...

A-Z franchise directory.(Directory)
September 1, 2009... The following franchise listings are a comprehensive reference guide to help you find the franchise opportunity that's right for you. They are listed alphabetically and cover all business sectors. Information for these entries is provided by the...

Take ten low cost franchises: a low cost franchise is a good way to get started. Here are some great ideas from selling sweets and advertising to pet sitting.(TAKE ten)
September 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Razzamataz Cost: 8,000 [pounds sterling] plus VAT Razzamataz Theatre Schools was set up in 2000 for young people with an interest in dance, singing and theatrical skills. Founder Denise Hutton-Gosney says:" The...