Show guide: Wenbley Conference Centre, London 4 & 5 April 2003.(Calendar)

A-Z list of exhibitors

 
7 Camicie                                          F50 
Abacus Care                                        F75 
AC Jean Samper                                      IP 
Action International                               F65 
Agency Express                                     E20 
Amtrak Express Parcels Ltd                        E100 
Antal International Networks Ltd                   F15 
ATG Access                                         F70 
Auditel & Expense Reduction Analysts               A10 
Awnings UK Ltd                                    E240 
Bairstow Eves Countrywide                         C100 
Bank of Scotland                                  B160 
Barbadillo Asociados                                IP 
Barking Mad                                        F95 
Bartercard                                         B70 
Belvoir Lettings                                   A80 
Bin Masters                                       B175 
British Franchise Association                      C30 
Business Franchise                                 B30 
Business Post                                      D30 
Capelli SP                                         B90 
Car Medic                                          E10 
Card Line Greetings                                F10 
Cartridge World                                    A30 
Cash Converters                                   F230 
Cash Generator                                     G10 
Castle Estates                                     H10 
Certax Accounting                                 B145 
Chem Dry UK Midlands & London                      B80 
Chemex International                               D60 
CHIPS Franchise                                    F80 
ChipsAway International Ltd                        C10 
CityVisitor.com                                    F30 
Cleb's Med                                          IP 
Clive's Easylearn Pop Music Schools                D85 
CNA Executive Search                               E40 
Coldwell Banker France & Europe                    E44 
Confimprese                                       A150 
Connect 2                                         F280 
Cornish Oggy Oggy Pasty Co Ltd                    B155 
Countrywide Grounds Maintenance                    E75 
Creative Kids Parties                              G55 
Crestcom                                       D65+E70 
Daily Mail                                        A100 
Daltons Weekly PLC                                 TBC 
Dream Doors                                        A20 
Driver Transport Training (Franchising) Ltd       B200 
Durham Pine                                        B10 
Easyinternet Cake Ltd                              F20 
Entrepreneur Expansion Corp.                       F60 
Fastsigns                                          D55 
Franchise Development Services                     G30 
Field Fisher Waterhouse                            C50 
First Impressions                                  J80 
Formative Fun                                     B140 
The Franchise Magazine                             G20 
Franchise +                                         IP 
Franchise World                                    A90 
Franchise Your Business LTD                        C80 
Franchising IV                                      IP 
Global Franchise Concepts                         C210 
Go Cruise                                         A14D 
Grupo Lizarran                                    C240 
Gymboree Play & Music                             F235 
Hamiltons                                          D45 
Horwath Franchising                               E130 
Hotbite (Ha Vending Ltd)                          B180 
HSBC Bank plc                                      C60 
ICON Business Solutions                            E48 
Images EFR                                         G70 
Independent Mortgage Advice Bureau                 E47 
International Franchise Marketing                   IP 
IPWFI                                              H40 
IT Doctor                                          TBC 
Italian Trade Commission                          F215 
Jimmy Key                                          TBC 
JNF Recruitment                                    F90 
KEM Sa                                            A170 
Lasertech                                          G60 
de Sante                                            IP 
Leadership Management                              G90 
Leathes Prior                                      H50 
Lincary Recruitment                                D40 
Liquid Lens Europe                                 H30 
The Little Gym                                    B165 
Little Impressions                                F200 
Little Steps Gym Franchising Ltd                   H25 
Logistika                                           IP 
Mail Boxes Etc (UK) Ltd                           F180 
Making Money                                      HIB0 
Martin & Co                                        E50 
Minuteman Press                                    G50 
Monk Marketing Partnership Ltd                    G100 
Mr Electric                                       Bl10 
MRI Worldwide                                     B150 
NatWest                                            D80 
Netspace                                            G5 
No Graffiti                                        G40 
O'Briens Sandwich Bars Ltd                         A60 
Oakleaf                                           J130 
One Point                                         B135 
Online Landlord                                   A120 
The Original Poster Company                       D100 
Oscar Pet Foods                                    B40 
Pentagon Glass Technology                          E45 
Physiomins                                         E46 
The Power Service                                  E35 
Printing.com Europe Ltd                           F120 
Pronuptia                                          H20 
Puccinos Ltd                                      Fl10 
Quadrante S.r.l.                                    FP 
Rechtsanwalte Klein & Partner                       IP 
Re-juva Slim                                       J25 
Rosemary Conley Diet & Fitness Clubs              E125 
Royal Bank of Scotland                            C110 
S.C. Yanakakis                                      IP 
Scenic Blue                                       B130 
SIF--Feria Valencia                                 IP 
Sign-a-Rama                                        D90 
Signs Express                                      D50 
Snack-in-the Box Ltd                              B120 
Snappy Snaps Franchises Ltd                       C130 
Stainbusters Ltd                                   F45 
Stumpbusters UK                                    A50 
Subway International BV                           C160 
Superseal Intl Ltd                                 D40 
Surelet                                            D95 
Swisher Hygiene                                    D20 
Talktactics International Ltd                      E60 
TaxAssist Direct                                   A70 
Techclean Services                                A110 
Texaco Autocare                                    TBC 
Thresher Group                                    B100 
ViewPlus Ltd                                       H65 
West End Training                                  E49 
Wheelie Bin Cleaning Company                       J30 
White Knight Laundry Services                     E140 
Wilsher Group                                      D75 
Wimpy Int Ltd                                     B170 
 
Start & Grow Your Own Business 
Exhibitor List 
 
Business Link for London                         SY300 
Businessesforsale.com                             SY60 
Carter Backer Winter Chartered Accountants       SY185 
Federation of Small Businesses                   SY120 
Frank B Dehn & Co                                SY100 
HEM Tax & Business Services                      SY220 
HR Insight                                       SY140 
Inbiz Ltd                                        SY170 
Inland Revenue                                    SY70 
Learn Logic                                      SY130 
Making Money                                     SY175 
Mercedes                                         SY245 
Message Link                                     SY120 
National Federation of Enterprise Agencies       SY230 
One London Ltd                                   SY135 
Orange                                           SY250 
Patent Office (The)                               SY90 
Prontaprint                                      5Y210 
Seedfuslon Ltd                                    SY80 
Trade Partners                                   SY520 
 
KEY 
 
IP: International Pavilion 
 
SY: Start & Grow Your Own Business 

Welcome to franchising

the British & International Franchise Exhibition is a key event in the franchise calendar which could open up a new future for you

ON BEHALF OF THE British Franchise Association, I would like to welcome you to the tenth British & International Franchise Exhibition, exclusively supported by the British Franchise Association. This event is key in the franchise calendar, providing an excellent opportunity for budding entrepreneurs to research many established companies within the UK and international franchise industry and the benefits of running their own businesses as part of an established franchise brand.

Franchising provides a world of variety and opportunity and has something for everyone. It has been proved to be one of the safest and most successful ways of starting a new business compared to other business start-ups. Recent statistics from the 2003 BFA/NatWest survey have shown that franchising is an industry currently worth 9.5 billion [pounds sterling] in the UK, with over 91 per cent of all franchisees reporting profitability and includes many well know brands such as Wimpy, Thorntons, Signs Express, Clarks Shoes and Kall Kwik.

Franchising is essentially a means of starting and running your own business with a very high success rate: providing you choose a good franchise in the first place. A good franchise will offer you a proven business format with the initial and continuing support that you will need. Your business will work under the brand established by your franchisor, using the business systems that have been developed and proven in the marketplace.

You will pay an initial fee to set up, using the brand and the proven business format, and you will pay continuing fees for the support that will keep you in business, earning profits on the trade that you do, and building a capital asset that you can re-sell. The advantages of choosing a franchise are that you don't have to come up with a new idea--someone else has had it and tested it, too! There are no expensive mistakes to be made.

But why should you choose a franchised business? Franchising covers a very wide range of industries, and is strong in both business-to-consumer and business-to-business markets. Franchised businesses range from multi-million pound operations employing thousands of people to sole traders working from home. Perhaps this is one of the greatest appeals of franchising--it is able to satisfy varying levels of business aspirations.

Starting Your Own Business

For the second year, the British & International Franchise Exhibition 2003 incorporates the 'Start & Grow Your Own Business' Showcase & Conference. Launched last year in response to popular request, Start & Grow Your Own Business provides the inspiration and practical advice in developing your business idea from start to finish, be it a franchise or other venture. The free showcase and conference will provide practical advice and answers to any questions you may have before or as you start up a business.

The British & International Franchise Exhibition again features a dedicated International Pavilion profiling some of the best-known franchise opportunities from around the world looking to expand into the UK. The International Pavilion plays host to some 20 international companies, and offers unparalleled access to global franchise opportunities and a unique networking opportunity.

The exhibition is an excellent opportunity to meet franchisors lace to face to assess the opportunities and identify the one that is right for you. Free advice and information is also on offer throughout the event from professional advisors such as lawyers, bankers and consultants. The BFA franchise guides will be available to help you on your way, together with the regular free BFA educational seminars. Running each day at 11am and 2pm, 'An introduction to franchising' is aimed at potential franchisees, and at 12.30pm 'How to franchise your business' covers essential information for prospective franchisors.

At the end of the day, you as the potential franchisee must be prepared to be realistic. The secret is to err on the side of caution and do your homework.

If you want to join the growing band of self-employed people and be part of the industry's 9.5 billion [pounds sterling], you need look no further than the British & International Franchise Exhibition 2003.

Brian Smart

Director General, British Franchise Association

Seminar programme

All visitors to the British & International Franchise Exhibition in London are invited to attend free hour-tong seminars run by the British Franchise Association throughout the exhibition

11am and 2pm daily:

AN INTRODUCTION TO FRANCHISING--FOR PROSPECTIVE FRANCHISEES

This seminar will address everything from the initial choice and the business plan to finance and how to get it. At the end of the seminar, delegates will have sufficient knowledge to make an informed, calculated choice about a franchise. Panellists include a franchisor, a franchisee, a legal expert and a bank representative.

12.30pm daily:

HOW TO FRANCHISE YOUR BUSINESS--FOR PROSPECTIVE FRANCHISORS

This free hour-tong seminar consists of a short introduction to franchising as a means of expanding an existing business or developing a new venture. Panellists include a franchisor, a legal expert and a consultant.

Is franchising for me?

Ten top tips for successful franchising, by HSBC's National Franchise Manager Cathryn Hayes

Running your own business may be a long-cherished dream, but it can be a frightening step to take. However, there is no doubt that going into business as a franchisee of a well established, proven business format franchise will give you the best possible start.

Of course, there is a lot of work to do before you will be ready to part with any money. You will need to research your chosen franchise, making sure that it is the right one for you and that you are fully aware of what is involved. So how do you check out a franchise? Here are HSBC's Top Ten Tips:

* Find out what franchises are available there are franchise exhibitions, directories, magazines, all devoted to franchising and starting a business. Start by contacting the British Franchise Association (01491 578050 or www.british-franchise.org.uk)

* Take as much advice as possible--advice on choosing a franchise is available from the British Franchise Association, banks, lawyers, accountants and from various franchise publications.

* Examine your strengths and weaknesses--what skills and weaknesses do you have? Does the franchisor provide training and back-up to help you overcome any weaknesses?

* Check the franchise is right for you is the business one you can see yourself running?

* Talk to existing franchisees what problems did they have, how successful are they?

* Investigate the franchisor it is important that the franchisor has the financial resources to support a franchise network.

* Examine the market place is there a market for your chosen franchise's goods or services? Is the franchise operating in a market subject to fashion?

* Take care with new franchises--has the franchise been piloted, how long has the franchisor been in business?

* Check the legal agreement--have the franchise agreement vetted by a franchise specialist solicitor.

* Take your time--taking up a franchise is likely to be one of the most important decisions in your life …