The Franchise Business

National web design franchise launches search for ambitious entrepreneurs throughout the UK

2008-06-30T12:48:00.000Z

National web design franchise launches search for ambitious entrepreneurs throughout the UK
National website design company ORCA Websites is launching a recruitment drive to find ambitious entrepreneurs throughout the UK.

ORCA, which has already recruited over 50 franchisees across the UK, is looking for men and women with business management and people skills, rather than a background in IT, to help the estimated 4.3 million small to medium sized enterprises (SME’s) in the UK increase their online sales and beat the big brands.

Dean Watmough, Managing Director of ORCA explains: “We specialise in helping smaller businesses to compete with the bigger brands by helping them develop a top quality website that is unique to their business. We are looking for ambitious people who are keen to help local businesses to take advantage of the benefits that the internet has to offer and who want the opportunity to work for themselves.

“Their role would be to work with local product and service providers to find out what their business goals are and to develop a website design and internet strategy with the help of our Head Office team, to ensure they achieve them. ORCA websites are designed to help local businesses get online quickly and affordably, so they can start to take advantage of what the internet has to offer now.”

ORCA is finding that people are enquiring about running an ORCA franchise because it offers a better work life balance and the opportunity to open a business with your family. One of ORCA’s first franchisees, husband and wife team John and Sue Crompton who operate two competing franchises in Lancashire, invested in the franchise because of the opportunity it gave them to spend more time with their family as well as run a successful business.
John said: “The pressure from out-of town centres and the big brands means smaller retailers, service providers, traders and manufacturers are increasingly seeing the internet as a prime source of business. In fact, recent research shows that over 22 million people use the web every month in the UK to search for information about goods, services and businesses. They spent over £50 billion online last year. A professional online presence is fast proving to be the small business’s saviour.”

People interested in setting up an ORCA Franchise should contact Dean Watmough at ORCA Websites on 0845 270 1128 or see their websites at www.orcawebsites.com

Franchise recruitment set for a boost from The Apprentice

2008-03-26T21:42:00.005Z

The return of the BBC's Apprentice should be good news for Franchisor's as the programme is promoting entrepreneurialism and if you are prepared to put in the hard graft, then there’s still lots of great career opportunities to be had and money to be made from running your own enterprise.

“Franchising is an ideal way to start your own business as it provides entrepreneurs with most of the same freedoms associated with running your own company but often with better rewards and lower risk which is particularly important in today’s economic climate. The 2007 NatWest/ BFA Survey shows that 93% of all franchise businesses are profitable and that the average turnover for a franchise business tends to be around £323,000 per annum - higher than most start ups.

Andy Emmerson, Business Development Director for Domino's Pizza says, "Since ‘The Apprentice’ was first aired in 2005, Domino's has seen a 10% year-on-year increase in enquiries about becoming a store owner. We will be well prepared for the predicted surge in enquiries and the franchise flash point, which we think should arrive in mid-May.”

Card Connection Celebrates 16 Years Success

2008-03-26T21:34:00.002Z

Leading greeting card publisher and franchisor, Card Connection, has this week been celebrating its sixteenth successful year in business with results that managing director Robina Every describes as: “even stronger than expected”.

The Gift Connection products include; Heartwarmers – sentimental verses on credit card keepsakes, Card Connection’s own unique designs of flashing badges, mini collectable bears that can be attached to belts, bags and mobiles, in addition to magnets and key rings incorporating the unique animal designs of Rachel Hale. They are distributed with Card Connection’s extensive range of greeting cards through its network of franchisees around the country.

“Additional highlights from the past year include the addition of numerous new greeting cards, such as extensions to the Tall Humour and Handmade ranges, which are created by our dedicated in-house design team,” continues Every. The franchise territories also continue to remain particularly popular. We have taken on thirteen new franchisees in the past six months alone and in addition, several of our experienced franchisees have expanded their businesses by snapping-up additional territories.”

Card Connection itself is one of the UK’s largest card publishers and is the market leader in the franchised distribution of greeting cards. Using a proven system, franchisees place greeting card ranges in retail outlets on a ‘consignment’ basis. The award winning merchandising service provided to retailers by local franchisees is second to none and has established the company’s excellent reputation especially within the convenience sector. Card Connection supplies numerous national accounts, which include the likes of Total, Costcutter, Budgens, Londis, Spar and Shell.

Because the franchise networks in the UK and Ireland are complete, the available opportunities now consist of acquiring an already-established territory from an existing franchisee. These vary in price according to their level of development, but start at £20,000 (+ stock) with earnings potential in excess of £50,000 per annum.

“The continued growth in popularity of Card Connection’s product range is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our network of franchisees backed up by the creativity of our in-house design and franchise support team,” confirms Every. “We have had a great year being ‘sweet sixteen,’ however, we are all very much looking forward to making next year: sizzling seventeen!”

NEW FRANCHISE TAPS INTO LUCRATIVE LETTINGS SERVICES MARKET

2007-09-21T12:31:00.000Z

September marks the launch of the first franchised business to operate in the inventory management sector, providing a valuable service to the lettings industry. No Letting Go which already operates one franchise territory*, is the only national brand represented in the category and the company has been specifically developed to capitalise on the growing residential lettings inventory market. There are already an estimated 2.5 million homes in England and Wales rented from a private landlord but recent housing legislation (April ’07) involving the introduction of tenancy deposit protection schemes, is destined to stimulate an enhanced demand amongst landlords and letting agents for a clear, fair and consistent inventory management service.

The No Letting Go proposition is the brainchild of Nick Lyons, founder of a successful property reports business and managing director of an established estate agency franchise. The company represents a whole new genre of franchise offering entrepreneurs access to a massive market opportunity via a manageable up-front capital investment. Although the initial financial outlay and on-going running costs are relatively low, there is considerable scope for success and the added potential to develop a business capable of expansion since, although the private rented sector has been growing it is still relatively small compared to some other European countries.

Prospective franchisees require no prior experience of the inventory management sector as the franchise opportunity brings with it an extensive and unique bespoke professional training programme, designed to equip franchise owners with all the necessary skills and expertise to launch and run a successful and profitable enterprise. The transition from training to trading is relatively quick and once a franchisee’s business is up and running, the support continues with access to the brand’s national marketing campaign and centralized financial and buying resources. In addition to this, No Letting Go franchisees will benefit from regular access to an on-going business mentoring facility to enable the continued prosperity of their company.

The No Letting Go launch will be supported by a comprehensive above and below the line marketing campaign which will initially focus on franchise recruitment to drive the brand’s national reach. The company will also be exhibiting at a number of key estate agency / franchise trade shows including the forthcoming National Franchise Exhibition 5 /6 October, NEC Birmingham. Commenting on the launch, managing director Nick Lyons says “we are committed to raising the bar for companies operating within the inventory management business by offering a modern, fresh, and above all entirely professional and consistent service to letting agents and landlords. The opportunities for prospective franchisees are considerable, we are operating in a market which already claims a shortage of inventory clerks and with the recent legislation, this demand is destined to grow. For a relatively low initial capital investment, No Letting Go franchisees can quickly build a profitable business with minimal expenditure on equipment or overheads.

The response to the No Letting Go proposition from the lettings trade has been
unprecedented and we are confident that our name will quickly become synonymous with the role of natural industry commentator for the inventory management business”.

For More details click on the following link
http://www.nolettinggo.co.uk/business_opportunity.asp?id=214

Part Time Franchise Success with UK Websaver

2007-08-29T16:01:00.000Z

Becoming a part-time franchisee for UK Websaver is allowing former professional footballer Richard Powell to set – and achieve – new goals.

Richard, who has played football for Crystal Place and Welling United, was always interested in franchising but first needed to find a product or service he truly believed in.

He also had to make sure his chosen franchise fitted in well with the demands of his current career in sports development and a busy home life.

Richard, who is 31, first learned about UK Websaver – the loyalty discount card scheme which enables businesses to offer discounts and special deals both off-line and on-line – on the internet.

Offering franchisees more than one potential revenue stream, the £4.99 cards can also be sold directly to members of the public as well as to businesses which range from taxi operators and plumbers to hair salons and restaurants

Franchisees buy a postcode area, pay a fixed fee for exclusive rights to the franchise and receive an initial consignment of 2,800 membership cards on start up
No previous sales experience is necessary – only access to a computer and preferably a printer.

Hailed by the industry as one of the most exciting franchising opportunities of 2007, UK Websaver cards are accepted at thousands of outlets across the UK and are shortly to be rolled out in Europe.

Richard, who is now one of 75 area managers selling UK Websaver cards across Britain, knew nothing about the business until he logged on to franchising sites via a search engine

He added: “After an initial look at a website for a mobile coffee franchise, UK Websaver was the second site I visited and it appealed to me immediately.

“A chat with head office convinced me further that this was the franchising opportunity for me so by April this year I had signed up and by early June I was up and running.”

Seeking initial financial advice from his wife’s friend, accountant Jenny Richardson, also proved to be fortuitous.

Richard added: “Jenny, who runs her own accountancy firm, was really impressed with the UK Websaver concept so as well as advising me on the financial implications of franchising she also decided to become my business partner in the venture.

“Jenny now runs the business side of the operation with a colleague and arranges all my appointments with potential customers, leaving me free to concentrate on the selling side.”

For someone who is more familiar with sports pitches than sales pitches, Richard has found he thoroughly enjoys the face to face contact with prospective business customers.

He added: “I had absolutely no experience in selling until I became involved in UK Websaver but because I like meeting people – and most important, have 100 per cent confidence in the product I’m offering – I haven’t found it difficult to make sales.”

“The UK Websaver loyalty card is a simple idea but one that everyone can relate to.
“We’re all used to using loyalty cards at the big retail chains such as Tesco and collecting Air Miles, so it’s a concept that has wide appeal to anyone who likes to save a few pounds.

“Although part of its success lies in making discount schemes available to smaller, independent retailers, the fact that a number of larger, well known names are also members, also makes the idea easier to promote.”

Richard has now bought three postcode areas – ME8, ME11 and ME14 – enabling him to sign up businesses to the loyalty scheme in parts of Medway and Maidstone in Kent.

And his background and interest in sport is also reflected in some of the types of business which have come on board, including a local sports shop and golf outlet attached to the golf club at which he is a member.

A small restaurant chain, bar, a hardware store, confectionery shop, home entertainment systems outlet, curry house and gift shop are also among the 15 diverse businesses in his postcode areas now using the scheme to promote their offers both in-store and on the internet.

Richard added: “Another key benefit of choosing this particular franchise has been the help and support received from UK Websaver’s head office team who are on hand to advise me whenever the need arises.

“I was concerned, for example, on how offers could be promoted by those businesses with customers who perhaps didn’t have access to the internet, but by attending a training day and raising this question, we now print out some of the offers.”

Richard, who is based at a secondary school in Kent, is involved in helping young people develop an interest in sport – particularly with the 2012 London Olympics only five years away.

Despite this demanding job – and coaching football – he still finds time to pursue his franchising business a couple of afternoons a week and some evenings.

He said: “Taking on the franchise part-time works for me and Jenny’s support in setting up my appointments means I can maximise the time spent in actually selling the cards.

“Choosing the hours I work also means I still have plenty of time to devote to my wife and two young daughters.”

If you are interested in hearing more about UK Websaver and how you can join our successful team Click Here

Premier Sport Can you make Sport Your Business

2007-08-08T00:56:00.000Z

Could you make sport your business? Do you want to be involved with an organisation that works at delivering quality sports coaching to kids throughout the UK? Then why not join the UK’s leading sport coaching company, and share in our success.

At Premier Sport, we are recruiting for a fresh new pack of ambitious, sporty and like-minded people to help us further develop our already strong franchise base. With only a small initial investment of £3,900, you can see yourself building your own strong business using our successful strategy and business model.

Premier Sport is currently on course to achieve the target of coaching over 1 million children EVERY WEEK in over 6,000 schools by 2012. Premier Sport currently offers a wide range of courses across curricular and extra-curricular coaching, as well as holiday and fundraising activities. We coach children between the age of 4 and 12, with a portfolio that currently includes all popular UK sports. With such wide spread concern at present, over the lack of physical activity available to the nation’s youngsters, what better time to invest in your own sports coaching business.

Premier Sport Ambassador Lawrence Dallalgio strongly supports Premier Sport and its activities: ‘Its only through the provision of well-organised, dedicated franchisees and coaches throughout the UK that we will see our children enjoy playing sport and reach their full potential, regardless of their level, which is why I’m 110 per cent behind Premier Sport and its aims’.

So why choose Premier Sport?

By owning a Premier Sport franchise you will gain the following benefits:
Run your own coaching business operating Premier Sport’s trusted brand
Using a successful strategy (shortcut to success)
Ongoing job training and guidance
Opportunities to choose your career path – management or coaching
Time benefits of running your own business
Financial benefits of running your own business

Current Premier Sport Success Stories – Peter Bennett

Peter joined after leaving his engineering job for a ‘change of direction’, both in career and lifestyle 4 years ago. He currently runs 35 extra-curricular and 16 curricular coaching sessions EVERY WEEK.

‘Premier helps the coaches to develop and maintain their abilities to the highest standard. This means that parents, schools and children all have confidence that the programmes we deliver are safe and fun - this has been one of the major reasons for the successful development of my customer base’.

If you too would like to share in the success that Peter has discovered working with Premier Sport then visit our website, www.makesportyourbusiness.co.uk and sign yourself up for the Premier Sport Annual Conference 2007.

Additionally, for more information on Premier Sport and its activities, please visit www.premiersport.org

Could You Make Sport Your Business!

Why life could become a Breeze

2007-07-17T15:05:00.000Z

When the company I worked for was sold to a FTSE 100 contender it was clear I was not part of their plans. As a Financial Director with a department of 10 I was considered redundant to requirements.

Now a consultant the fees I generate pay the bills, the mortgage etc but the camaraderie and enjoyment of working with a great team is no longer there. Or wasn’t until I found breeze, or it found me.

A close business associate emailed me that it was the most exciting prospect he’d seen in years, that he was signing up and that I should do so – and I did without much thought. And what a good decision that was.

It’s not a franchise although it does have many of the better aspects of a franchise without the downsides. It’s considerably cheaper, there are no rigidly enforced boundaries, no ongoing fees, no splitting the territory in half if you prove to be successful, no Head Office run outlet opening nearby if you chose to operate at your pace which might be just a tad slower than Head Office would like, no targets and list goes on. But what there is, is an excellent suite of e-based products with a first class support structure from all sides.

Now, some of the consultants I work with have given up their day jobs to work full time as Breeze Consultants and are doing extremely well. Me, I’m taking the softly softly approach. I still have the day job and at the same time I’m making good headway with Breeze thanks to the efforts of those around me. So far all my sign ups are from leads passed on to me from my manager although three of us have now started a joint lead generation programme which is looking good.

My manager, who’s been with Breeze for some 18 months reckons he’ll make £100K plus in his second full year – that’s working full time – and he’s well on the way.

Personally £100k a year would be wonderful particularly as there are residuals as well.

If you want to know more email me on breeze@bryanwalters.com and I’ll send you a prospectus.

The Mattress Doctor Removes Dust Mites - Around The World.

2007-07-16T14:26:00.000Z

The Mattress Doctor is one of the few franchises that started in the UK
and has since expanded into Ireland, Canada, USA, Spain, Cyprus, Norway,
Sweden, Australia and very recently South Africa.

According to The Mattress Doctor, this success is down to just two key factors:

1 – It is a very simple yet highly profitable business and is therefore very attractive to people looking for a franchise.

2 – The demand for mattress cleaning is soaring. Once a potential customer’s attention is drawn to the fact that the mattress is almost the only place in the home with which they have regular contact but do not clean, common sense dictates that the mattress must be cleaned – right away!

And the fact of the matter is that there is nothing new about cleaning mattresses. Our grandparents and possibly our parents, regularly dragged theirs out into the garden on a cold day and beat them for half an hour or more. They knew what was good for you! The cold killed the dust mites and the beating removed their excrement and other contaminants. But due to the weight and composition of the modern mattress, which makes them too heavy to carry outside, and the time pressure created by today's hectic world, we don't do that any more.

The Mattress Doctor uses a scientifically proven system which was originally developed in Europe in the early 1980's and has been used in homes, hospitals and hotels for over fifteen years. Their scientists and engineers have improved upon this system and no other mattress cleaning system can compare. It eliminates the millions of dust mites breeding in every mattress as well as the copious amounts of dust mite excrement. It also removes the bacteria, fungi, mould, decaying skin flakes and corrosive salt from perspiration, all without the use of chemicals.

For a really clean mattress and a great franchise, there’s no better place to look than The Mattress Doctor.

For more information http://www.franchisebusiness.co.uk/mattressdoctor

Clean Team join the MyHome PLC group

2007-06-19T10:16:00.000Z

No Pane No Gain

How do you get from a borrowed ladder to a £500K turnover business? Lee-Stuart Evans founder of Clean Team Pure Water window cleaning explains....

I left my city job in 2003 convinced I was worth more than my current salary. I gave a lot of thought to the 'perfect business' and decided that I was looking for something with the following characteristics

no high street premises
normal working hours
no heavy government regulation
cash-rich business with no invoice chasing
not reliant on professionally skilled technicians
little competition

Having had no luck finding a window cleaner in my home town I went out in the evenings in my local residential area to see if there was a demand for this service. There was! Within 6 weeks I had 4 staff and over 600 regular residential customers. I realised that this type of busines hit all the criteria I was looking for.

Very rapidly I was joined by my wife Stephanie and my brother Ben. We soon had over 1500 regular monthly clients and were bursting out from my second bedroom. Ben researched and perfected a system that uses water fed poles instead of ladders so that we could stay ahead of working at heights legislation. We could clean windows up to 60ft without ladders with perfect results every time. This opened us up to commercial contracts with car dealerships, offices and large residential flats and schools.

With our strong brand, smart uniformed staff and vehicles it became obvious early on that a franchise route would benfit both ourselves and other motivated people and would create a national brand.

After nearly 4 years we had perfected a management franchise with our pilot operation. With 3000 regular clients (growing by 5 every day) a profit of £100K per annum and working from ideal premises we were ready to go national.

At the end of 2006 Clean Team entered discussions with Russell O Connell, CEO of Myhome International PLC. Russell had perfected franchising over a 10 year period to create a strong list of brands that all provide domestic services to 'cash rich time poor' clients. His brands included Myhome, Nice n Stripy, AutoSheen, Ovenclean and Surface Doctor. Myhome PLC have a custom made IT system developed by Unilever and as an AIM listed company enormous experience in the home services market. It was a perfect match.

Having now sold Clean Team to Myhome, Lee-Stuart, Stephanie and Ben are staying on, and are now spreading the word of their success. With Myhomes backing, Clean Team are staging a nationwide recruitment campaign to find motivated, enthusiastic people to run identical management franchises throughout the UK. These franchises have ten compelling reasons for choosing a business partnership with us:

A business, not a job
A successful operation with thousands of satisfied repeat clients
One of the UKs fastest growing market sectors
Comprehensive training and support, IT system and call centre
fast track start up programme
98% repeat business with a 40% referral rate
not dependent on skilled staff
low investment
accredited by leading trade organisations
very little competition beyond sole traders

If you are interested in taking the first steps towards owning your own business then look at our website http://www.cleanteamltd.com/ or call 0845 094 8140 or complete the contact form attached to our advert on the franchisebusiness website.

ISO In A Box Franchise makes certification simpler

2007-05-25T09:37:00.000Z

The words you need to obtain ISO accreditation has always been something to set the most organised companies into a frenzy of activity.

At last there is a franchise that has been set up to make the whole process more managable. Equas SmartPro specializes in ISO certification. Equas’s ‘ISO in a Box’ methodology has helped hundreds of organizations to achieve full UKAS certification to the ISO standard and has achieved a first class reputation in the field of Quality Management Systems. Clients come from both the Public and Private sectors.

For more details have a look at their entry on The Franchise Business web site

Oscar Pet Foods Franchisees Support National Pet Month

2007-05-05T21:32:00.000Z

At OSCAR we promote National Pet Month’s charity message every day through our unique complete pet care service. Until you own a pet you won’t appreciate just how much they mean to you; they are part of the family and should enjoy as much of family life as humanly possible.

‘Love is…’ is the charity’s theme for 2007 and we embrace this message through our network of Nutritional Advisors.

Love is…about ensuring a healthy diet, and our home delivery service provides a range of our own brand pet food, to suit every lifestyle, from healthy pets that enjoy a good meal to those who need support with weight control. We can help with digestive or skin problems and even behaviour patterns due to poor diet.

Love is…about offering nutritional advice, veterinary support and treating behavioural problems. OSCAR is privileged to have professional experts to answer the questions.

Love is…about regular exercise and OSCAR has a range of products to make walkies safe and fun.

Love is…having a special treat from our selection of goody bags of chews, biscuits and bones.

Love is…about grooming, which includes coat, skin and teeth: – our carefully selected products are delivered to your door so you never need go without having salon perfection for your pet.

Love is…to have a complementary boost, and combined with skin and tummy troubles we can
support old age, joints and general health.

Love is…never wanting for anything and OSCAR will be there for you and your pet just when you need them.

Love is…the pets that will love OSCAR for their reliable and friendly service, and benefit from a happier, healthy and longer life.

For full details of the Oscar Pet food Franchise follow the link.

http://www.franchisebusiness.co.uk/oscar/

And of course you'll love it!!

WSI Announce London Seminars

2007-03-20T22:11:00.000Z

WSI, named world's #1 Internet and Technology Services Franchise for the
sixth consecutive year (Entrepreneur Magazine), will be holding a FREE franchise seminar in the London area on the dates outlined below.

March 23rd 6 -7pm
March 24th 5 - 6pm
March 25th 12 - 1pm
March 25th 7 - 8pm

This is an ideal opportunity to meet the WSI team that are behind one of the worlds leading franchises. Don't miss it................

At the seminar you will learn about these topics:

Why most websites don’t work
The ABC’s of internet success
WSI’s proprietary and proven systems that over 1500 franchisees utilize daily in 87 countries.
The complete franchise training and ongoing support
Franchisee Revenue Centers

How franchisees benefit from:
- Home or office based business
- Minimal overhead
- Predictable recurring revenue streams

http://www.wsiseminars.com/London/London6.asp

Graham
Franchise Business

The Power of Franchise Re-Sales

2007-03-20T14:36:00.000Z

The Lasertech franchisee from Stoke has recently demonstrated the benefits that can be gained from purchasing an existing franchise.

Kerry McCaughey purchased the Lasertech Stoke Franchise in March 2006 after it was originally launched in May 2003. Kerry McCaughey contacted Lasertech five years ago about the Stoke Franchise, but ended up moving to Australia instead. After returning to the UK in early 2006 Kerry decided that he was still interested and successfully purchased the Stoke Franchise as a resale.

Exactly 12 months on, he has grown his business beyond recognition and made a tidy sum for himself in the process. His hard work has seen his business expand to now employ two staff with 2 vans and has grown his monthly sales from around £10,000 February 2006 to nearly £30,000 in February 2007!

During the past 12 months his hard work has not gone unrewarded as he recorded a very healthy net profit for the year, not only that, he just about tripled the value of his business!

At the start of March this year Kerry informed Lasertech UK that he has an opportunity to move back to Australia (who can blame him!) and with the franchisors full support, he has put his business back on the market.

The success of his business now means that it will attract the corporate investor as well as an owner operator who will both see the potential to build on Kerry’s success.

“We are fully behind Kerry’s desire to sell his business, although we will be extremely sad to see him go as he is clear proof that Lasertech is an excellent franchise opportunity” commented Martin Hawthorne, Lasertech’s Franchise Recruitment Manager, who is the person helping manage his sale.

If you would like to know more about any Lasertech resale opportunity then please contact Martin Hawthorne in confidence on 0870 787 2323

About Lasertech

Lasertech are one of the largest manufacturers of printer cartridges in the UK. Established in 1989 using a £1500 Princes Youth Business Trust Loan, Lasertech today offers more than 30,000 printer consumables and offices products via 80+ franchisees and a mail order business. Lasertech operate a unique printer cartridge recycling scheme that allows customers to earn credit for empty cartridges and also provide the option to donate to charity. Lasertech have recently expanded into Ireland and Spain and are now looking for additional franchisees and master franchisees across Europe.

Make Some Serious Dough with Perfect Pizza

2007-03-16T09:33:00.000Z

"In 1993 my modest independent pizza franchise was acquired by Perfect Pizza. Their impact was considerable as my operational standards, product and profits went instantly from strength to strength.

Motivated by the level of support and inspired by Perfect Pizza's unique promotional ideas, at both local and national level, I bought my second PP franchise a year later. Perfect Pizza's view is that we are one big team and, unlike many other pizza chains, they never charge for training or assistance in marketing and general support.

Perfect Pizza is one of the UK's leading pizza delivery and takeaway businesses, with well over 100 stores throughout the country. Over the years I have seen many takeaway ventures come and go but Perfect Pizza is an established national brand, which defines us as a clear leader in the field.

I currently own nine Perfect Pizza stores and with sheer hard work and total commitment, have allowed my family to enjoy a comfortable lifestyle hopefully long into the future. What makes me so different from anyone else? I had the guts to say 'Let's do it'.

"Kirit Patel, Perfect Pizza Franchisee

Why Pizza?
It dominates home delivered food in the UK, the fast food capital of Europe.
Pizza is quick and easy to prepare, with high quality inexpensive ingredients and is an impulse purchase, largely unaffected by seasons or fashions.

Pizza is universally popular, easy to eat any time or anywhere, while its low perceived price makes it far less vulnerable to recession. It also delivers an excellent profit margin! Perfect Pizza is a market-leading brand with a market-topping product.

Total estimated start up costs £130,000 (excluding VAT) for fully equipped store with full training.

For more information please contact:

Paul Youngman
Franchise Development Manager
Tel 01902 797112
Mob 07876 566418
Fax 01902 797131

paulyoungman@perfectpizza.co.uk
Perfect Pizza Ltd.Gailey Park, Gravelly Way,Standeford, Wolverhampton.WV10 7BW

Women in Franchising

2007-01-19T23:14:00.001Z

Sam Stallwood, the Lasertech Franchisee for Dorchester was recently asked by Lasertech UK franchise department to give an insight into being a women working in an industry dominated by men. Although many Lasertech franchisees are a husband and wife team, Sam is currently the only female in the entire Lasertech European franchise network. Sam provides a candid insight into her unique position and demonstrates her determination to be the number one supplier of printer consumables and office products in her area.

Until four years ago Sam’s 18 year career was based around I.T. as a Systems Manager, then Service Manager and ultimately managing Barclays Banks internet banking support team. She made her move into self employment following redundancy and established a successful online business selling, toys, books and collectables, however Sam had greater ambitions.

Sam explained her reasons for buying a franchise, “I really enjoyed running my own business, but was looking for bigger challenges. I decided that the purchase of a franchise would enable me to build a larger business, together with the support of an experienced organisation”

After visiting a number of franchise exhibitions and a few visits to Lasertech Head Quarters in Warrington, Cheshire, Sam decided that Lasertech most closely matched her ambitions and support requirements.

Lasertech UK Ltd. have for the past 17 years built an effective and very successful business manufacturing Printer Cartridges and supplying Office Products. Lasertech are launching Franchises throughout the UK, Ireland and Spain to continue this success story and provide an even more efficient customer service.

At the time of her launch last year Sam explained “I am really excited about taking on this franchise, I believe in the products, and the range available means my customers can use me as a one stop shop for all their office requirements”.

When asked what is the most important skills needed in running a successful Lasertech franchise Sam comments “probably the most important thing is a strong customer service focus and a commitment to build good working relationships with customers and, as with all new business ventures, you need to be determined, flexible and prepared to put in the extra hours in the early stages”

Sam also explained that being a women also presented a number of unique challenges and opportunities
“At the first stage when talking to potential customers, I actually find being a women is initially a disadvantage when dealing with female decision makers, on the other hand, when the decision maker is male, I tend to win much more business”!

Sam follows this up by saying “Once they become a customer, then I feel it is definitely an advantage being female and the softer skills that often brings with it. I try to be more understanding of a customer’s issues and go further in trying to resolve any problems. I like to think my customers see me as working alongside them, rather than a pushy salesman.”

When Lasertech asked Sam about why she thinks that women are under represented in the franchise industry as a whole she candidly comments “In my experience, many female business owners tend to be home based and their business evolves from a hobby or interest. I believe in most franchise systems, the majority of franchisees are ex-corporate employees who have had a successful professional career and then took redundancy. At this stage, they are young enough for a new challenge and have their redundancy lump sum to invest. There are very few women lucky enough to be in this position, mainly due to family commitments, hence why only a small number are within the franchising community”.

Sam knows what values her new company needs to exhibit. It needs to be one which is ethically sound, be environmentally friendly and provide a quality service to it’s customers that is second to none. It would also need to appeal to a wide audience and if possible, try to support the local community and help benefit worthy causes. A difficult task indeed, yet Sam’s new company – Lasertech Dorchester – aims to achieve all of the above, and more.

Sam also knows that the team at the Lasertech head office are behind her 100% and are on hand to give her help and advice when required. Sam explains that the reason she chose a Lasertech Franchise above anything else is because “I feel that myself and Lasertech will be a good team, I have the management experience and Lasertech have a first class product. Together we can provide a customer satisfaction that exceeds expectation.”

Contact:
Martin HawthorneFranchise ManagerLasertech UK
0870 787 2323martinhawthorne@lasertech.co.uk

Company History Lasertech are one of the largest manufacturers of printer cartridges in the UK. Established in 1989 using a £1500 Princes Youth Business Trust Loan, Lasertech today offers more than 30,000 printer consumables and offices products via 80+ franchisees and a mail order business. Lasertech operate a unique printer cartridge recycling scheme that allows customers to earn credit for empty cartridges and also provide the option to donate to charity. Lasertech have recently expanded into Ireland and Spain and are now looking for additional franchisees and master franchisees across Europe.

http://www.lasertechgroup.com/uk/franchise/

Lasertech and the Lasertech logo are trademarks of Lasertech.

Dragon Lady on Hunt for Entrepreneurs

2006-11-22T21:26:00.000Z

Rachel Elnaugh, one of the UK’s best known businesswomen and star of the BBC’s Dragons’ Den, is on the hunt for entrepreneurs to take on the challenge of launching and running a new, on-line web-based directory and information resource for local people. www.Yourhomepagein.co.uk is a rare opportunity to capitalise on a new and exciting forward thinking product that can provide a most cost effective and innovative method of giving you a reliable source of income together with the flexibility to work at the times of day that suit you.
An exciting new site designed to help you get the very most from where you live, in a one-stop package, it’s run for local people by local people!

Visit: www.yourhomepagein.co.uk

What importance does brand play in choosing a franchise?

2006-08-11T09:36:00.000Z

One of the biggest advantages to buying a franchise is springboarding into an established brand. However, it is often true that the bigger the brand, the more expensive the franchise becomes. So, what if you don’t want to or can’t afford to buy a very established franchise?

The advantage of an established brand is customer trust, confidence and supplier integrity. If the franchise you are considering is not yet well-known, you can look at how the franchise operates and whether there are any strategic partnerships that can offer a similar advantage.

A good example of this is the Waves car wash company, which was set up to offer Tesco customers a hand car wash while they shop in the supermarket. Franchisees work from Tesco car parks and use marketing literature and signage that features the Tesco logo. So, although the Waves brand is still largely unknown, the client relationship with Tesco offers you brand power that you would rarely find elsewhere.

Waves recruitment is done exclusively through http://www.gilmoreconsultancy.com/.

ORCA Franchise Launch offers part time start

2006-08-02T10:27:00.000Z

One of the questions that we are asked on a regular basis is there something that I can start part time and build before I leave the security of full time employment.

The launch of the ORCA franchise could be an excellent opportunity to start at your own pace.

The ORCA franchise has been developed to enable Franchisees to train and work at their own pace, be it on a full or part time basis. The online training programme is a leader in the franchise field and has been specifically designed to accomodate 'learning from home'. The market potential for ORCA's services is immense, and Franchisees really can work at their own pace to build their business

http://www.orca-franchise.co.uk/

Why Should You Consider A Franchise

2006-07-28T23:51:00.000Z

There are many individuals who want to be their own boss. They see no long range security in working for someone else, and feel that their potential income will always be limited as an employee.

Franchising offers an opportunity to break free & own your own business whilst at the same time minimising the risk that is inherent in opening an entirely new business from scratch.
Franchising allows you to follow a tried and tested business system which will greatly improve your chances of success, as the statistics prove.

Franchising enables you to become involved as part of a company that has established a tried and tested system and has achieved some market share and name awareness. When starting a business as a self employed person you will make mistakes which can be costly if not catastropic.

An established franchise will have ironed out those problems. They will have a written system contained within the franchise manuals as to how operate the business so as to achieve maximum sales and profitability from day one. It is effectively the name awareness and the system that you are paying for.

One of the most important aspects of becoming a franchisee is that help is on hand at every stage. The Franchisor will provide initial training, launch and marketing support and day to day help. The fact that as a franchisee you are in business for yourself but not by yourself is a major factor in the improved success rate that is associated with franchising.

If you decide to buy a franchise, do not relax and wait for the Franchisor to do all the work, that simply won't happen. Franchising can provide a structure and a proven system but it is still your hard work and effort that will be decisive in making it work.

It is important to remember that having purchased a franchise you need to be prepared to follow the system as set out in the manual. It represents the result of the franchisors experience and best practice.

The Franchise Business

2006-07-28T08:41:00.000Z

Welcome to The Franchise Business Blog. We have been running the website www.franchisebusiness.co.uk for the last 9 years. This blog will provide a forum to discuss franchising, why it works, how it works and to help choose the right franchise for you. It also provides a forum for feedback on any issue relating to franchising. I hope you find it useful