Piece of cake: Eggfree Cake Box recently celebrated its third anniversary - and with eight cake shops across the UK and three more due to open this year, this business is enjoying sweet success.(Franchise Focus)

INVESTMENT LEVEL: [pounds sterling] 19,750

What's the secret to Eggfree Cake box's success? Founder and CEO Sukh Chamdal says: "We have been delighted with the success of our cake shops and the heartwarming feedback we have received from customers who have bought our individually-crafted cream cakes for birthdays, christenings and weddings, as well as everyday treats. The great thing about our service is that you don't have to preorder or wait too long for a personalised lactovegetarian cake: we can have one ready for you in just half an hour."

Rick Bhambra, who owns and manages the Slough branch of the Eggfree Cake Box, hasn't looked back since he left a career in …