Franchise World magazine | Summer 2023

Expert advice on buying a franchise or franchising your business www.franchiseworld.co.uk

Summer | 2023

FranchiseWorld Covering franchising since 1978

UBX, the boxing and strength training concept, launches in the UK Paris Baguette

brings its world-renowned bakery-café chain to the UK

Oltco

reaches recycling milestone through its 50 franchise regions

German Doner Kebab

‘Our kebabs are revolutionising this popular street food’

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CONTENTS

UBX, the boxing and strength training concept, launches in the UK

Empowered Brands, the fitness franchise investor and owner of énergie Fitness, the UK low-cost gym, has announced the launch of its new innovative boxing and strength training concept from Australia, UBX.

Page 59

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Paris Baguette has expansion plans for the UK and Europe Paris Baguette, the world-renowned bakery-café chain, has made its debut in the UK, bringing its distinctive blend of French-inspired baked goods to British consumers.

11

Chopstix plans to open 30 new stores following record sales

Winners of the EWIF Awards

The theme at this year’s awards was ‘Breaking Through Barriers’ to recognise that running a franchise of any size is not easy, as shown by the challenges all businesses have had to tackle over the last few years.

7

AI... ‘do more good or harm’

25

Despite the debates around the rapidly increasing abilities of Artificial Intelligence, a survey by ID Crypt Global found that more than 80 per cent of people have no concern that the technology is going to replace them in the workplace.

Tortilla Mexican Grill reports record annual sales and growth

German Doner Kebab milestone of 150 outlets

The UK Asian quick service restaurant group, Chopstix, plans to open 30 new stores this year, creating almost 1,000 new jobs.

Tortilla Mexican Grill, the UK fast-casual Mexican restaurant group, has achieved record annual sales for the period ending 1st January 2023 of £57.7m, an increase of 20% on the previous year.

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German Doner Kebab has opened its 128th restaurant in the UK, which marks a milestone for the brand as the outlet also represents the company’s 150th worldwide outlet.

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MORE FEATURED FRANCHISES

Driver Hire

Behrouz Biryani offers the taste of India

Recruitment supplier of logistics staff

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Caremark

Rebel Foods introduced Behrouz to the UK and currently has 35 outlets that are served through a virtual brand partner model.

In-home care

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Wing Kingz

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Page 45

Restaurant

Maldives expansion for British Youth International College

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Choice Home Tutoring

Sylvian Care

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Home tutoring

The Maldives business will become its 11th franchise territory operating globally teaching maths, in addition to English, cyber security and programming.

In-home care

Optic-Kleer

CleanMyBed

53

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Car windscreen repair

Bed cleaning service

The British & International Franchise Exhibition

This flagship BFA-supported franchise exhibition has been the highlight of the industry-calendar for over 30 years, and for good reason.

30

milestone of recycling the equivalent of 500 million plastic straws from Recycle Bound.

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The sustainable resin bound driveway and flooring company, has announced a

Heartcore’s franchise plans for its pilates studio Heartcore has seven London studios in addition to its digital offering of livestream and on-demand classes that have attracted clients across the globe.

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Franchise World magazine Britain’s longest-established franchise magazine, founded in 1978, covers franchising from the perspective of the two parties – franchisees and franchisors, both prospective and existing.

© 1978 - 2023 Franchise World Franchise World ISSN 0144-0543 Readers should seek advice from a qualified accountant and solicitor before parting with money, or entering into financial or contractual commitments. Information in the magazine is provided in the main by franchisors/advisors and readers should not rely upon it without having personally verified it at source. The publisher does not

4 Summer, 2023 | www.franchiseworld.co.uk

The baby and early years swimming school franchise has announced a brand-new immersive experience for families.

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Oltco reaches recycling milestone through its 50 franchise regions

Water Babies introduces ‘Oceans of Imagination’

Editorial Nick Riding nick@franchiseworld.co.uk Advertising Jane Eyles info@franchiseworld.co.uk Franchise World, Highlands House, 165 The Broadway, Wimbledon, London SW19 1NE info@franchiseworld.co.uk www.franchiseworld.co.uk

make any representation about the viability or otherwise of the franchises, or advisers, mentioned and does not accept any responsibility, or give any warranty, representation or assurance that statements, conclusions and opinions expressed or implied are accurate or valid.

Page 43

ADVISORY ARTICLES

How franchising works: the two sides of the story

Page 67 Franchise resale at PVC Vendo

After 19 years working as an employee for a PVC Vendo franchisee, Richard Smithson saw the opportunity to take the reins of the business following the retirement of the owner.

43

Pieminister’s growth and their ‘Little Acts of Pie-ness’

Pieminister has grown its customer base from selling at markets and festival stalls to selling pies nationwide through various shops, pubs sites and its restaurants.

51

New franchisees take to the stage with Razzamataz

Two of the company’s new franchisees started out on their Razzamataz journey as students and have progressed via the teaching route.

59

Sushi Shop secures first UK franchisee

Christie & Co, the business property adviser, reports that it has secured the first UK franchisee for Sushi Shop, on behalf of AmRest, its parent company.

Part one, of this two part series of articles, looks at franchising from the franchisor’s perspective.

By Michael Bohan, managing director, Franchise Resales

By Cathryn Hayes, franchise director, Revive! Auto Innovations

The Best Franchise Programme & Awards

17

For franchisee’s thinking of selling, a critical first step is to engage your franchisor

Selling a non-franchised business can be relatively straightforward. In franchising it is not so simple as there is the inevitable third party involved – the franchisor.

By Gillian Morris, UK head of franchising, HSBC

29

How to generate local PR for your business

This all-important and not-so-secret key to success centres around your ability to generate positive publicity and build a strong reputation within your local community.

By Lucy Archer, co-founder, Rev PR

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Investing in your CRM system could transform your business Ovenu has constantly invested in and evolved its bespoke CRM system to ensure it is the ‘best’ in their sector.

By Rik Hellewell, founder and managing director, Ovenu

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Burger & Sauce signs five new franchisees

Are you a franchisor who is worried about resales in your network?

The quick service restaurant brand was founded by Saad Masood in 2020 during the pandemic.

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franchising process, you are setting yourself up for long-term success.

Don’t be, resales can be a great thing for both you and your franchisees. In fact, by including exit planning in your

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By collecting data from employees, franchisors can get a better understanding of areas of strength and weakness in their operations.

By Sharon Weston, head of franchising, WorkBuzz

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Could a franchise network accountant provide the cherry on the cake?

A franchise network accountant can unlock the full potential of your business and its franchisees, making it an absolute lifesaver for you, not to mention the peace of mind that comes with knowing your network is in safe hands.

By Jack Hayes, franchisor relationship manager, d&t

63

Not just a logo: the importance of branding

Branding should be integrated into everything you do, from your tone of voice and messaging, to design and appearance, to customer service and much more.

By Chelsea Smith, content writer, Mayfly Internet Marketing

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Q&A to put you on the right track to buying a franchise

The fundamental issues of franchising.

By Nick Riding, editor, Franchise World

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www.franchiseworld.co.uk | Summer, 2023 5

NEWS

NEWS

Cafe2U plays a part in the King’s Coronation TaxAssist sponsors SME awards AS a Gold Partner Sponsor of the SME National Business Awards 2023, TaxAssist Accountants will be promoting its brand to businesses across the UK at the seventh national business awards.

James Mattam, business development director of the TaxAssist Group, will also be on the judging panel and presenting an award on behalf of TaxAssist.

Keen to champion small and medium enterprises (SMEs), Mattam said: “We know there are thousands of talented businesses within our client base who have every chance of entering and winning and are delighted our clients are able to enter the awards with a TaxAssist discount.

“With representatives from more than 1,200 SMEs expected to attend the event, it will provide an opportunity to support and share in our vision to raise the profile of industrious, hardworking and enterprising businesses nationally.

“Business awards are a sought-after accolade of achievement, a veritable endorsement of success in business which offers exceptional marketing and PR opportunities, as well as increasing credibility and standing in the eyes of peers and customers.

“This is a fantastic initiative for both our target client market and the TaxAssist brand and we look forward to taking part and showcasing the wide services our accountants offer.”

The SME National Business Awards ceremony will be held at Wembley Stadium on 1st December 2023. n

L

eeds-based mobile coffee franchise Cafe2U celebrated a memorable week in May after being chosen to cater for the members of the Armed Forces involved in the coronation of King Charles III.

Cafe2U was invited to tender to cater at the coronation, having previously provided its services to around 3,500 military personnel and dignitaries who took part in the funeral procession of Queen Elizabeth II last year.

Having won the tender, and on the Tuesday before the coronation, a fleet of Cafe2U franchisees (pictured) made the journey to the capital to serve coffees and pastries to approximately 6,000 military personnel taking part in the practise run in the early hours of Wednesday morning on the closed roads of central London.

On the day of the coronation, Cafe2U said that its franchisees served once again, to help keep the biggest military parade the UK has seen in more than 70 years supplied with caffeine and sweet treats.

Cafe2U’s management team were also on hand to support franchisees ensuring supplies were plentiful as they went from van to van restocking its products.

‘10,000 coffees and 5,000 pastries’ Martyn Ward, chief executive of Cafe2U, said: “We were delighted and absolutely honoured to have the opportunity to play our part in such a momentous and historic global event and thrilled that everything went so smoothly.

“We estimate we served around 10,000 coffees and 5,000 pastries over the two days, including a very high number of ‘double double’ espressos. In hindsight, that was probably due to the first procession run-through taking place in the very early hours of Wednesday morning!

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“Suffice to say the schedule for rehearsals was exhaustive and those taking part were extremely appreciative of the light relief afforded by a lovely coffee and a pastry at 2.00am.

“Most of the franchisees that took part are based in the Greater London area but one of our newest franchisees travelled all the way from Bath to be a part of the celebrations, highlighting the commitment of our incredible team.”

‘Simply humbling’ Bernard Sullivan, franchisee of Cafe2U Biggleswade, said: “When I first became a Cafe2U franchisee, I never thought I’d get to meet as many amazing people as I have. Serving our armed service personnel when Cafe2U helped cater the Queen’s funeral last year was an honour; being asked to serve them a second time was simply humbling.

“I know I speak for all the franchisees who took part in the coronation when I say the occasion was one of our proudest moments and an achievement we’ll all remember forever.”

Serving customers since 2004, Cafe2U mobile cafés visit non-traditional locations to service customers at various sites such as office parks and industrial estates to community and sporting events. n

To learn more

www.cafe2u.co.uk

NEWS

Winners of the EWIF Awards 2023 announced T

he theme at this year’s 13th annual EWIF (Encouraging Women into Franchising) Franchise Awards was ‘Breaking Through Barriers’ to recognise that running a franchise of any size is not easy, as shown by the challenges all businesses have had to tackle over the last few years.

Helen Mansfield, managing director of EWIF, said: “It was truly uplifting to see the diversity, talent, and innovation that is driving our industry forward. As we honour the achievements of these remarkable women in our industry, we are reminded of the progress we’ve made and the exciting future that lies ahead.”

EWIF Award Winners 2023 New Woman Franchisee of the Year

Emily Kerrison Kidslingo French and Spanish languages classes for children

New Woman Franchisor of the Year Jenna Wilson and Fay Smith Little Dreams Baby and child sleep consultants

Young Woman in Franchising – Joint winners Asha Marie Richardson Razzamataz Theatre schools

Holly Stepien Bloom Toddler Classes Multi-sensory toddler programme for active learning

Service Provider of the Year Suzie McCafferty Platinum Wave Franchising Franchise consultant

Woman Franchise Employee of the Year Heather Wehrle Right at Home UK Home care providers

● Suzie McCafferty (right) receives one of her award’s from Pip Wilkins, the chief executive officer of the BFA.

Inspirational Woman of the Year

Angela Sterling Lingotot Multi-language classes for children

Woman Franchisor of the Year

Jenni Dunman Daisy First Aid First aid courses for parents and carers

Woman Franchisee of the Year Amy Patel Popat Right at Home

EWIF Ambassador of the Year

NEWS

Acquisition of Pirtek Europe

THE international multi-brand franchisor, Franchise Brands, has announced that it has raised £92m through a Placing to enable it to acquire the owner of Pirtek Europe, Hydraulic Authority I Limited (HAI) for £200m (and £12.2m for cash, debt and working capital adjustments).

HAI operates Pirtek across eight European countries providing an on-site hydraulic hose replacement service and associated services, in addition to offering an emergency response service 365 days-a-year, operated largely by its 70 franchisees.

Franchise Brands says the bookbuild represents one of the largest public fundraisers this year in the UK in what has been an unusually muted period for UK equity funding markets.

Suzie McCafferty Platinum Wave Franchising

The acquisition and working capital requirements of Pirtek will be funded by new bank debt facilities of £110m, and £114.3m in equity issued by the company, which includes the £92m raised through the Placing, alongside a subscription by Pirtek management and employees, and the issue of Consideration Shares.

EWIF congratulating all the finalists commented: “As we move forward, let’s continue to champion the cause of encouraging more women to enter and excel in the franchising industry.

Together, we can reshape the landscape, create new opportunities, and celebrate even more incredible achievements in the years to come.” n

Commenting on the acquisition, Stephen Hemsley, executive chairman of Franchise Brands, said: “We are pleased to have successfully completed the bookbuild for the fundraise with the support of both new and existing institutional investors. This will enable us to proceed with the transformational acquisition of Pirtek Europe.” n

To learn more

To learn more

Ruth Brown Home Instead Home care providers

Overall Woman in Franchising of the Year

www.ewif.org

www.franchisebrands.co.uk

www.franchiseworld.co.uk | Summer, 2023 7

FITNESS FRANCHISE

‘The UBX mission is to take boxing from an individual pursuit and transform it into a team culture.’

UBX, the boxing and strength training concept, launches in the UK E

mpowered Brands, the fitness franchise investor and owner of énergie Fitness, the UK low-cost gym, has announced the launch of its new innovative boxing and strength training concept from Australia, UBX.

Empowered Brands’ ambition is to open 250 UBX clubs within six to eight years.

class coaches, and with convenience, enjoyment and results at its core.

The UK’s first UBX site in Media City, Salford, is being opened by two local franchisees, Ben Waldron and James Worrall.

UBX was co-founded in 2016 by fourtime world champion Australian boxer Danny Green, and fitness and tech entrepreneur Tim West. UBX currently has over 90 clubs across Australia, New Zealand and Singapore, and says it is the world’s fastest growing boxing and strength training concept.

Inclusive for all and with new workouts daily, there are no class timetables or bookings required, as its ultra-flexible model uses intelligent programming to make wait lists, late charges and inconvenience a thing of the past for its members.

Coming amidst post-Covid network sales of £33m across its énergie Fitness portfolio of over 80 clubs with 114,000 members across the UK and Ireland,

The brand explains that its concept is based on a unique blend of non-contact group boxing and strength training, backed by science, delivered by world

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UBX adds that as an elite training experience, club members can simply arrive when they want to, choose a round, and will always have coaches available to guide them from start to

finish for an easy-to-learn, full-body workout in under 45 minutes.

Team culture The brand’s mission is to take boxing from an individual pursuit and transform it into a team culture.

John Jempson, managing director of UBX Boxing + Strength, UK & Ireland and chief financial officer at Empowered Brands, explains: “Convenience, variety and trainer support are among the top three priorities when it comes to selecting a fitness activity, and UBX delivers on them like no other concept.

“UBX is an environment where results are just an additional benefit to pure enjoyment – through the combination of team-based training and coach interaction. Our clubs will be communities, where anyone can learn new skills, working with each other towards a collective goal and going away with a sense of achievement following every session.”

‘Increased demand’ The opening of the first UBX franchised site comes at a time when Empowered Brands says there is a clear demand from consumers for fitness opportunities as it has seen membership levels across its énergie Fitness portfolio having recovered to 114 per cent of pre-Covid levels.

Jempson continues: “We’ve opened 22 énergie Fitness clubs since March 2020 across the UK, Ireland and Spain. With movement towards flexible work schedules and an increased demand for social connection, not to mention a boom in interest for skills-based classes

and boutique fitness across the industry, we’re expecting impressive results across our UBX franchises. Convenience wise, the model is completely unrivalled too, which means exceptional retention.”

Keen to emphasise the unique opportunity to potential franchisees of UBX’s flexible model, Jempson is expecting it will be a driving force in helping Empowered Brands open no fewer than 22 clubs across both UBX and énergie Fitness this year, and 30 to 40 clubs a year through the next six to eight years.

Jempson explains: “The UBX model is unique because such a small space is required as compared to other fitness franchise investments, only around 1,500 sq. ft. a club, but possible member capacity is high.

“Start-up capital required is low too, in the region of £130k – £200k factoring an initial personal investment from franchisees starting from £40,000, but it’s a high returning financial model, easy to operate and highly scalable.

“We support franchisees with funding, systems, technology, marketing,

operations and infrastructure too – with over 20 years’ experience in the industry, we think this level of support and sophistication underlies why we are one of the most disruptive brands across health, fitness and well-being.”

Pietro Nicholls, chairman of Empowered Brands, said: “The predictability of UBX’s franchise model makes it an attractive prospect to franchisees. When you consider investing in one’s health and well-being is an essential consumer spending item too, we are extremely excited to commence the roll out of UBX clubs across the UK.” Each new UBX club will be expected to require a minimum of three to five members of staff, which the brand sees as generating in the region of 1,250 new jobs across the UK leisure sector.

Empowered Brands headquartered in Milton Keynes, is backed by RM Funds, an alternative investment management firm. n

To learn more

www.ownaubx.com www.empoweredbrands.co

www.franchiseworld.co.uk | Summer, 2023 9

Unique product range Proven franchise concept Attractive commercial terms Franchise support Online customer ordering

PARIS BAGUETTE NEIGHBOURHOOD BAKERY & CAFÉ

No.1

Bakery Franchise

By Entrepreneur Magazine’s 2023 Franchise 500

If you're ready to join the Paris Baguette family and spread joy through the art of baking, contact them today to learn more about this exciting franchise opportunity. www.parisbaguette.uk

info@parisbaguette.uk

parisbaguetteuk

FOOD FRANCHISE

Paris Baguette, a global bakery-café, has expansion plans for the UK and Europe P

aris Baguette, the world-renowned bakery-café chain, has made its debut in the UK, bringing its distinctive blend of French-inspired baked goods to British consumers.

Following the successful launch of its first London stores at the iconic Battersea Power Station and on Kensington High Street, Paris Baguette is looking for franchise partners to expand its UK and European operations with the aim of rolling out 450 units across the continent by 2036.

Founded in 1988, Paris Baguette has grown into a global franchise empire with over 4,000 stores across 10 countries including Canada, U.S., Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, China, Korea, and continental Europe, including Paris.

Known for its high-quality, artisanal baked goods and a commitment to using only the freshest, highest-quality ingredients, the brand has become a household name in many parts of Asia, as well as in the U.S., where it has over 135 franchised locations.

With its entry into the UK market, Paris Baguette is aiming to replicate its success in other parts of the world and

establish itself as a leading bakery-café destination for British consumers. The brand’s UK operations will be led by a team of experienced food industry professionals, including Nico Gaillot, Chief Operating Officer, who has over 25 years of experience in the hospitality sector.

Gaillot expressed the company’s enthusiasm for expansion: “We are thrilled to be bringing Paris Baguette to the UK and to be able to share our love of freshly baked treats with more communities. We are seeking franchise partners who share our passion for quality and who are committed to creating unique consumer experiences.

“With the support of Paris Baguette’s management team, our franchisees can expect to achieve success and grow their business.”

Paris Baguette’s mission is to reestablish the neighbourhood bakery-café as the heart of the community. The company achieves this by offering an extensive menu of over 25 premium items that are made fresh in-house throughout the day.

The menu includes signature three-layer cakes, bespoke baguette sandwiches, French-inspired pastries, artisan bread, and locally roasted coffee. All of these items are made with the finest

www.franchiseworld.co.uk | Summer, 2023 11

FOOD FRANCHISE

ingredients and prepared fresh on-site every day, creating a perfect blend of a classic bakery, boulangerie, and patisserie.

One of the brand’s signature items is its celebration cake, a delicate layered dessert that is a favourite among Paris Baguette fans worldwide. The brand’s chefs also draw inspiration from Asian cuisine, incorporating flavours like matcha into their creations.

UK expansion goal While Paris Baguette’s UK operations are still in their early stages, the brand has ambitious plans for expansion in the coming years. The company is seeking franchise partners to help drive growth in the UK and across Europe, with the goal of opening 200 units in the UK by 2036.

model is designed to help entrepreneurs and business owners succeed, and we’re excited to work with partners who are eager to bring the Paris Baguette brand to their communities.”

“We believe that the UK is a fantastic market for Paris Baguette, and we’re looking for partners who share our passion for quality and innovation to help us expand our presence across the country,” said Gaillot. “Our franchise

As part of its franchise expansion plans, Paris Baguette is also committed to sustainability and reducing its environmental impact. The brand has implemented a range of eco-friendly initiatives in its stores, including

“

We are thrilled to be bringing Paris Baguette to the UK and to be able to share our love of freshly baked treats with more communities. We are seeking franchise partners who share our passion for quality and who are committed to creating unique consumer experiences.

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reducing waste and using renewable energy sources. In addition, the brand sources its ingredients from local suppliers whenever possible, supporting small businesses and reducing its carbon footprint.

Paris Baguette’s entry into the UK market comes at a time when the bakerycafé segment is experiencing strong growth and increasing competition.

According to market research firm Euromonitor International, the UK bakery market is expected to grow by 2.2 per cent in 2023, driven by demand for artisanal and premium baked goods.

In addition to its expansion plans in the UK, Paris Baguette is also targeting growth across Europe, where it sees

FOOD FRANCHISE significant potential for its brand. The company is already establishing a presence in several European countries beyond France, including Belgium, Netherlands, Spain, and Germany, while looking to partner with local entrepreneurs to help drive growth in these markets.

Paris Baguette’s franchise model is designed to provide partners with the support and resources they need to succeed. Franchisees receive training and guidance on everything from store design and layout to menu development and marketing and have access to the company’s extensive network of suppliers and vendors. They also benefit from Paris Baguette’s established brand and reputation, which helps to drive footfall and generate sales.

Additionally, franchisees receive ongoing support from the company’s management team, who are committed to ensuring the success of every franchisee and will provide on-theground support for the first 10 days of a café opening. In addition, Paris Baguette’s franchise model is flexible and adaptable, allowing partners to tailor their stores and menus to the needs of their local communities.

The initial franchise fee for a Paris Baguette café is £50,000 for one site or £40,000 for multiple sites, with a minimum investment required of £500,000. This includes the cost of site selection, construction, equipment, inventory, and two months of training for bakers, general managers, and front-ofhouse staff. With projected annual retail sales for a Paris Baguette café ranging from £1.5m to £2m, franchisees can expect to turn a profit within three years while earning a salary during the initial years.

Paris Baguette has also won numerous awards for its exceptional quality premium treats and franchise model. In 2022, the brand ranked 25th in the Franchise Times Top 500 list – the most comprehensive ranking of the 500 largest franchise systems in the U.S. by global systemwide sales. This year, Paris Baguette was recognised as the number one Bakery Franchise by Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500.

Paris Baguette has a strong track record

of success with over 4,000 stores operating worldwide, of which 3,800 are franchised. The franchise model has been particularly successful in the U.S., where the company is opening a new café every week.

and Europe. As the company looks to expand its footprint in these markets, it remains committed to its core values of quality, freshness, and sustainability, and to providing customers with an exceptional bakery-café experience.

U.S. multi-unit success

Paris Baguette’s entry into the UK market represents a significant milestone for the brand and a testament to its continued global growth.

Since first arriving on American shores in 2005, Paris Baguette has already established 135 franchised locations, distinguishing itself as a dominant player in the bakery café industry. Many American franchisees are returning for multi-unit deals as they continue to see great success in existing locations with cafés that are producing upwards of $5m in revenue.

With its commitment to quality and sustainability and proven franchise model, Paris Baguette is well-positioned to become a leading player in the UK bakery market and expand its presence across Europe in the years to come.

As the brand continues to expand, there are numerous opportunities for franchisees to achieve success and grow their business. Paris Baguette is actively seeking franchise partners in the Greater London area, with plans to roll out across the rest of the UK and Europe over the next several years.

For entrepreneurs and business owners looking to join a dynamic and innovative brand with a proven track record of success, Paris Baguette represents a compelling opportunity to tap into the growing demand for artisanal and premium baked goods and bring a unique and exciting concept to their communities. n

The brand’s commitment to quality and innovation has earned it a loyal following among consumers around the world, and Paris Baguette is confident that it can replicate its success in the UK

To learn more

info@parisbaguette.uk https://parisbaguette.uk

www.franchiseworld.co.uk | Summer, 2023 13

NEWS

AI... ‘do more good or harm’

D

espite all of the recent debate around the rapidly increasing abilities of AI (Artificial Intelligence), a survey commissioned by the digital identity security specialist, ID Crypt Global, found that more than 80% of office workers have no concern that the technology is going to replace them in the workplace.

With the recent rise of Chat GPT and other rival chatbots, ID Crypt Global says the debate around AI has heated up with people all over the world discussing both the good or harm of allowing autonomous technology into our lives, workplace and homes.

The research surveyed 1,196 UK office workers and asked them whether or not

they have heard of AI and unsurprisingly, 95% said they had.

When asked whether the use of AI in the workplace is a positive step, opinion is divided with 45% saying ‘yes’ and 55% responding ‘no’.

With 81% having no concern over AI technology replacing them in the work place, 94% said they are not preparing for that possibility nor looking to learn new skills or new industries to work in.

When asked if AI will ultimately do more good or harm for society, 47% saw the side of harm, 36% seeing benefit, with the remaining 17% unsure.

Lauren Wilson-Smith, chief executive

‘AI isn’t thinking for itself but regurgitating’ M

By Rik Hellewell, Founder, Ovenu

aybe it’s just me but, from what I can gather, there are a few ‘lightbulb moments’ cropping up almost daily as more and more people think about AI.

Let’s face it, ‘spell-checker’ wasn’t particularly good in the early days and ‘predictive text’ almost has a mind of its own at times.

My current experience is that this technology isn’t too much of a threat right now as it currently appears to work on binary options, with AI machines churning out some content and at the discretion of the way more intelligent human brain telling the machine if the content is acceptable or not. If not, the machine will try another couple of times – basically until the human says the content is acceptable or not.

But what I also find a little mystifying is the advent of the ‘AI Tutor’ whose role is to teach the student what to put into the AI ‘search bar’ to get the machine to generate accurate information.

My first point, therefore, is that AI isn’t yet as intelligent as it needs to be for most people to have a modest confidence in its abilities. Granted it can churn out all manner of data but, and it’s a big but just now, it isn’t thinking for itself. It’s regurgitating what is already ‘out there’ in multiple different ways.

Sounds familiar, of course it does – that’s what we’ve been doing with Google, Bing and Yahoo almost since the ‘www’ went global in the mid-1990s. The human brain quickly worked out that if you put in a ‘rubbish’ search query then you get ‘rubbish’ results back.

More recently, we’ve been talking to ‘smart speakers’ such as Alexa and Siri, which recognise the human voice. All well and good, unless you catch flu then the machines are completely flummoxed by your husky voice. The same with

14 Summer, 2023 | www.franchiseworld.co.uk

officer and founder of ID Crypt Global, commented: “It’s worrying that so many people remain unconvinced that AI is going to disrupt their lives. At this point, it’s clear that AI is going to become a dominant force in society, not least in the workplace.

“There are certain jobs that AI is going to be able to execute to a far higher level than any human can, and do it in a much faster and cheaper way. We live in a capitalistic world and industry leaders are not going to be able to resist the benefits of replacing people with machines.

“We need to increase awareness through education as AI’s progress is going to be swift and transformational.” n

facial recognition – try it following a short haircut, growing a beard or donning coloured contact lenses.

I also wonder as to who ever thought why we’ve been ticking four boxes with traffic lights in them to ‘prove’ we’re human? Haven’t we been teaching AI to the machines for years.

Plagiarism and copyright But the loudest noises I’m hearing about AI – plagiarism and copyright infringements. Like these things just cropped up with the advent of AI? Of course not, these ‘nasties’ have been prevalent since the advent of the internet.

The majority have sat back and done nothing about it, thanks mainly to the somewhat prohibitive costs involved of bringing action against perpetrators of these crimes.

I say crimes because that’s what they are, but will this still be the case as more and more people sign away their legal rights as they access the world of AI? Ponder the above as I head over to the intelligent ‘word-count’ facility to see if it agrees with my mental arithmetic. n

FOOD FRANCHISE

German Doner Kebab milestone of 150 outlets G

erman Doner Kebab (GDK) has opened its 128th restaurant in the UK, which marks a milestone for the brand as the outlet also represents the company’s 150th worldwide outlet.

The new GDK in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, will be serving its gourmet doner kebabs to customers which the company says bring a fresh, high-quality taste sensation with a superior dining experience.

Freshly prepared in front of customers, GDK adds that its game-changing kebabs masterfully combine premium, lean, succulent meats and local vegetables, served in handmade, toasted waffle bread topped with unique signature sauces.

Now employing over 4,500 people across its network, Simon Wallis, chief executive of GDK, said: “Reaching 150 restaurants worldwide with our Westonsuper-Mare opening is a testament to our incredible growth and commitment to delivering a new dining experience across the globe.

“Our expectation-defying kebabs are revolutionising this popular street food worldwide. This unique innovation on a traditional dish has captured the imagination of a global audience to elevate GDK into becoming a market leader in the F&B space.

“At GDK, we are committed to growth and strengthening our position as the

UK’s fastest-growing restaurant chain.

Beyond that, our global demand reflects our position as one of the world’s most exciting fast-casual brands.”

Global expansion plans GDK reports that it is also forging ahead with further expansion into international markets with plans already underway to open 12 restaurants in North America and its first restaurant in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The global development pipeline for GDK is to open 400 restaurants worldwide in the next seven years. The company said that in order to achieve this target, it has recently signed up some major new franchisees, including

Atul Pathak, formerly McDonald’s biggest UK franchisee, who sold his portfolio to join GDK in 2022.

In addition to Pathak, GDK said that Maristo Hospitality, one of the fastestgrowing hospitality groups in the Middle East region, has acquired the GDK master franchise for the UAE. Based in Glasgow, Scotland, GDK’s restaurants span the UK, continental Europe and the Middle East, with expansion following in Canada, Ireland, Saudi Arabia and the U.S. n

To learn more

www.germandonerkebab.com

www.franchiseworld.co.uk | Summer, 2023 15

“I love doing my own thing, love making my own decisions and love being in control of my own destiny.“ Jay Belam, Revive! Surrey

STRIVE. THRIVE. REVIVE!

Multi-van management business

A personal development journey

Proven potential to reach £1m+ turnover

Exceptional service, no compromise

THE MANAGEMENT FRANCHISE THAT PUTS YOU IN CONTROL Manage your own team of technicians who repair damage to car paintwork including bumper scuffs, minor chips and alloy wheels.

4.9 out of 5 based on 17K reviews

revivefranchise.com | franchising@revive-uk.com

ADVICE FOR FRANCHISORS

How franchising works: the two sides of the story

By Cathryn Hayes, Franchise Director, Revive! Auto Innovations

W

hen the word ‘franchise’ is mentioned, many people in the UK think of a series of blockbuster films or railway operations. But, my two part article looks at the world of businessformat franchising, from the perspective of both sides – the franchisor and the franchisee.

According to the British Franchise Association (BFA), business-format franchising, is the granting of a licence by one person (the franchisor) to another (the franchisee), which entitles the franchisee to trade under the trademark/trade name of the franchisor and make use of an entire business package, comprising all the elements necessary to establish a previously untrained person in the business and run it with continual assistance on a predetermined basis.

A strong and successful business-format franchise should provide: ● An established market for the

franchisor’s products or services. ● Proven sales, marketing, and operational procedures. ● The benefit of an established business name. ● Training, ongoing support and help in running the business. ● Where appropriate, help in finding, fitting out and furnishing premises.

To be successful, both parties need to benefit from each other. In part one, I am going to look at:

Franchising from the franchisor’s perspective

Franchising has grown considerably in the UK over the last thirty years and is now established in many business sectors, especially the fast-food and service industries.

It can be a great way for a business to

expand across the UK and beyond, without the potentially huge capital investment needed to grow a whollyowned operation.

As a franchisor, you will award a licence (franchise) to local operators to sell your products or services, trade using your brand, using your trademarks and logos for a specific period.

The franchisee will have a personal stake in the business and own their business so you can expect them to be more motivated to grow and make it a success than employed managers. However, you specify exactly how your franchisee must operate, they need to comply with your rules in terms of how the business operates.

There will be costs involved at the outset to develop your franchise operation, but franchisees will pay you an initial fee that will, over time, help to reimburse these costs. When franchisees have launched and are trading, you will receive a regular income from them by charging a management service fee or marking-up the price of goods you may supply.

At first glance, it may seem too good to be true, but as well as benefits, franchising can have its drawbacks which we will explore. The development of a successful franchise network requires careful planning, ongoing

monitoring, plus advice and support from professionals, such as a franchise consultant, accountant, franchise lawyer and specialist banking teams

It is important that a business planning to franchise has demonstrated that it is viable and profitable and has sufficient capital to expand, as even when franchising is done properly by a successful business, it could take some years to achieve a positive cash-flow and worthwhile profits.

This article offers a brief overview of the aspects a business needs to consider when expanding through franchising.

What is franchising?

Franchising is a “joint venture” between an independent person (the franchisee) and a business (the franchisor) which wishes to expand its activities.

The venture is governed by a legal contract. This gives the franchisee the right to operate using the franchisor’s trade name/trademark, in accordance with a business-format or “blueprint”.

All aspects of the franchisee’s business are strictly controlled including image,

“

It is important that a business planning to franchise has demonstrated that it is viable and profitable and has sufficient capital to expand.

About the author Cathryn Hayes is the Franchise Director at Revive! Auto Innovations and has over 25 years of franchising experience.

Previously Head of Franchising at HSBC, followed by a short-term senior role at the British Franchise Association, Hayes has a high profile within the sector, contributing regular articles to the franchise press and other business media.

cathryn.hayes@revive-uk.com www.revivefranchise.com

www.franchiseworld.co.uk | Summer, 2023 17

ADVICE FOR FRANCHISORS products or service, systems, and administration. This method is usually known as business-format franchising.

As a franchisor you will:

● Allow franchisees to use your trading

names, logos, business style and format. ● Help franchisees establish their own businesses to a pre-determined format. ● Provide continuing training and support to enable franchisees to operate and develop their businesses successfully.

If you are planning to franchise, you should already operate a successful business with a good track record and have sufficient management and financial resources to develop and support a franchise network.

The advantages

● You can achieve faster business

growth without large-scale capital investment because each franchisee will finance their own business. ● You can quickly grow the number of outlets under your brand, distributing your products or supplying your services. ● Instead of high numbers of staff and managers for a wholly companyowned operation, you would have only a small head office with a few highly skilled staff to support your franchisees. ● Franchisees invest their own money in their new business, so they are more likely to be highly motivated, and keen to minimise costs and maximise sales. ● As they are running their business locally, franchisees will often have considerable local knowledge and may already be involved in local community life, which is likely to help the business. ● Franchisees are responsible for financing and maintaining their units and for the employment and management of any staff.

The disadvantages

● Developing a franchise network can

be expensive at the outset, both in terms of management time and capital outlay. ● Your investment won’t be recovered

“

Some franchisees may cause you difficult issues as you grow. They will gain in-depth knowledge of your business through your support and training and may subsequently try to use it to set up as competitors. until franchisees are appointed and you receive initial fees and then a regular income from them as their businesses grow. ● You receive only a part of the profit made by the outlet, instead of all the profit if they were owned by you. ● Franchisees own their own businesses so you need to persuade and influence them rather than issue instructions as you would to your own staff.

Communication and people management skills are vital for franchisors. ● To protect your brand and company reputation you need to monitor not just the sales performance of each franchisee, but also their quality standards and customer service as well as brand standards. ● Some franchisees may cause you difficult issues as you grow. They will gain in-depth knowledge of your business through your support and training and may subsequently try to use it to set up as competitors. Some may try to reduce the amount they pay in management service fees by not disclosing all their income. ● Therefore, recruiting the right people and having a rigorous vetting process is vital. You must also be sure that the people you select as franchisees can accept the responsibility and stress of running a business.

Where to start

The first step is to find out more about franchising and see how you can use the experiences of others to avoid mistakes.

Contact the BFA as they have a wealth of experience and offer franchisor training and support.

A visit to a franchise exhibition will be a good introduction to the sector and you can attend the free seminars, hearing from professionals in the market.

Think about appointing a franchise consultant to help you put your franchise

18 Summer, 2023 | www.franchiseworld.co.uk

operation together. I recommend that you use a BFA-affiliated consultant, speaking to two or more to ensure you chose the right one for your business.

The next big step is to set up one or more pilot operations – a vital ingredient in creating a franchise that will have a long-term future. The benefits of the pilot units are: ● They will demonstrate whether the

business is viable on a stand-alone basis. ● It will enable you to identify any problems and put them right.

Franchisees, who have parted with their hard-earned savings to buy your franchise, expect to receive a tried and tested format in which any difficulties and problems have been ironed out. ● Part of the pilot process is to put together a comprehensive operations manual. This will be one of the methods of ensuring that franchisees follow your systems and procedures. ● The pilot will give you a better idea of how much the setting-up costs for the business will be, what sales are required for break-even, and what level of profits franchisees could expect.

The franchise agreement

Again, I strongly recommend you use a BFA-affiliated specialist franchise lawyer to draw up your legal contract.

This important document will set out the terms under which you are selling the franchise, your obligations, and those of the franchisee. It must accurately reflect the promises you have made in your franchise prospectus and marketing material, and it should be fair. However, it also needs to include the controls that are necessary to protect both you and the franchisee.

Preparing for launch

When the pilot is running successfully, you will be ready to prepare for the launch of the franchise. These are some of the things you will need to do: ● Prepare a prospectus to attract suitable

franchisees. This should give clear, concise, and accurate information about your business and promote a strong company image. Be careful with any claims of income and profits,

“

It is important that a business planning to franchise has demonstrated that it is viable and profitable and has sufficient capital to expand. these should be backed up with the results from your pilot operations. You do not want to bring people into your franchise with misleading information. ● Make sure you have plans for a comprehensive training programme for your franchisees. You could include practical experience for them in one or two of your outlets/stores or with your own staff. ● Consider whether you will have sales areas or territories for each franchisee, this is usual with many franchise operations to ensure that a franchisee knows they can grow their business within set boundaries. ● Decide how to calculate the initial franchise fee, management services fees, advertising fees, mark-ups, and any other payments that the franchisees will be making. ● You may need to prepare projected cash-flow forecasts and profit projections, based on your pilot operations, taking care not to promise that franchisees will reach specific profit figures. ● As mentioned earlier, you should prepare a comprehensive operations manual, covering all aspects of the day-to-day operation of the business. ● Consider applying to join the BFA. It has established a code of business conduct for its franchisor members and is a source of information for both prospective franchisees and franchisors.

Recruiting franchisees

Bringing in suitable franchisees will be key to your success as a franchisor so ensuring you recruit people with the right skills and attitudes is vital. The reputation of your business and the future of your franchise network could be at stake.

Spend some time at the outset thinking about what will make a good franchisee in your business. Will they need sales skills, is there particular technical expertise they need, what experience and attributes will help them to be

ADVICE FOR FRANCHISORS

NEWS

successful? Plan your interviewing/ vetting procedures to ensure that candidates have these skills.

Don’t rush this part of the process. When you launch your franchise, you will be keen to get things moving as quickly as possible, and to start recouping some of your initial outlay. However, if you lower your standards and recruit the wrong people as franchisees, this will lead to problems in the longer term.

Popular recruitment methods include leads from your own website, exhibiting at franchise shows, advertising on specialist websites, and in franchise magazines and trade magazines covering your business sector – a mix of all, or several of these.

Franchisee finance

Depending on the start-up costs, franchisees will probably need to borrow to buy into your franchise and will have to put in some cash as well. In the early days of your franchise operation, banks will probably lend around 50 per cent of the costs, but when your franchise network is well-established with a good track record, franchisees may be able to borrow up to two-thirds of the costs.

There are several banks with specialist franchise departments and if you provide them with information about your franchise network, they can begin to build up a profile of your franchise. This is used to support lending managers when they are considering a request for finance from one of your franchisees and means that the bank will have a better understanding of the business.

Franchisees will need to prepare a business plan, together with financial forecasts to support their request for finance. You will probably need to help with this, but the franchisee should understand the figures and “own” the business plan. n

“

Bringing in suitable franchisees will be key to your success so ensuring you recruit people with the right skills and attitudes is vital. The reputation of your business and the future of your franchise network could be at stake.

‘Bringing the joy of bubble tea’ to the UK GONG CHA, a fast-growing global bubble tea brand, has announced the opening of its 13th UK store located in Brighton, East Sussex.

Founded in Taiwan in 2006, Gong cha says it is known for its consistently highquality, freshly brewed drinks made with premium ingredients.

Gong cha first expanded overseas in 2009 and has since grown to nearly 2,000 stores in 22 countries including the U.S., Australia, Canada and Mexico.

The new store in Brighton follows a period of strategic progress for Gong cha in the UK says the group, building on its existing network of stores in London, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle and Nottingham.

Paul Reynish, global chief executive of Gong cha, said: “We’re delighted to launch our latest store in Brighton, expanding our presence in the UK to more than seven cities.

“As one of the UK’s favourite destinations, our opening in Brighton is another opportunity for us to showcase the strength, relevance, and adaptability of Gong cha’s world-class brand and offer. It also presents a unique opportunity to introduce consumers across the country to the joys associated with bubble tea.” n

To learn more

www.gong-cha.co.uk

www.franchiseworld.co.uk | Summer, 2023 19

RECRUITMENT FRANCHISE

‘My first year turnover of £840k beat my original year four target’ D

Franchisees run a recruitment business within their own postcode defined territory and supply temporary and permanent drivers, logistics and nonlogistics staff to local and national businesses that operate commercial vehicles. Clients typically require Driver Hire’s support with staff for operational peaks, holiday cover, and sickness cover.

Huge levels of demand Driver Hire operates in a high-demand sector. Temporary recruitment in the UK is estimated to be worth £39.5bn per annum (Recruitment and Employment Confederation 2022 forecast). Even more relevant to Driver Hire is the major role logistics plays in the UK economy – meaning demand for temporary drivers is huge.

Advertorial

river Hire is the UK’s largest specialist supplier of logistics staff, with over 100 offices nationwide. Their story began in 1983, when the first Driver Hire office opened in West Yorkshire, supplying temporary drivers to local transport firms. companies – so they call you when they require additional staff. It’s a fast-paced environment, where good service and sales activities are paramount.

candidates out working is really rewarding. It’s still early days and sometimes I have to pinch myself to realise the business is mine. But I know there is so much more to come.”

Training and support

Why is the business different to others in the sector?

Driver Hire is a very well-known, trusted, and reputable brand – giving clients and candidates excellent reasons to work with them.

Richard Bradshaw, Guilford franchisee, says: “None of my local competitors are franchised and I firmly believe this gives me an edge. My clients benefit from dealing with a local owner-operated business, supported by a nationwide brand.”

Successful franchisees

Award recognition

This consistently high demand for Driver Hire’s services translates into success for its franchisees. In 2022/23, the average turnover of a Driver Hire franchise business (single office) was over £1.3m.

The top performing franchised offices exceeded £3m. More importantly for its franchisees, profits are also healthy: typically, between 10% and 15% of turnover.

Driver Hire is the current Elite Franchise Franchisor of the Year, and the bfa HSBC Franchisor of the Year Silver Winner. This external recognition is a strong endorsement of Driver Hire’s proven business model, excellent support for franchisees, and financial success across its network of offices.

Tom Williams, Driver Hire Torbay, was a franchisee finalist at the most recent bfa HSBC Franchise Awards. Tom comments: “In my first year, my turnover of £840k beat my original year four target. I like recruitment – getting

You will manage your recruitment business from an office, typically supported by between one and four members of staff. The primary focus of your business is to recruit good candidates, and to engage with local

Role of the franchisee

Driver Hire’s 35 years in franchising means an excellent understanding of how to support its business partners.

Support and training begin long before a franchisee opens for business, including a two-week Foundation Course, plus time in a Driver Hire office. Training continues via its Franchisee Support Programme (for a further six months).

Every franchisee is supported by an Area Manager who regularly visits their office and actively helps them grow their business. For example, the Area Manager will attend customer sales meetings and help win new customers.

With over 70 head office staff, franchisees can call on specialist support with marketing, IT, compliance, HR, finance, and franchise sales. Franchisees benefit from Driver Hire’s bespoke IT system, and an award-winning website which helps generate candidates. In addition, Driver Hire’s national accounts team delivers significant business for franchisees, generating circa 20% of the network’s turnover. n

To learn more

franchise@driverhire.co.uk www.driverhirefranchise.co.uk

www.franchiseworld.co.uk | Summer, 2023 21

TheBritish&International FranchiseExhibition

BOOK FREE TICKETS!

9 & 10 June 2023 | Olympia London

It’s time to be your own boss Leading franchise brands | 50+ free talks | One-to-one expert advice Exhibitors include*:

Supported by:

*Correct at time of press

Book free tickets at FranchiseTickets.co.uk

FRANCHISE EXHIBITION | OLYMPIA LONDON

Unlock the potential of franchising at Olympia London

Fast-track your journey to business ownership at London’s only franchise exhibition supported by the British Franchise Association.

On Friday 9 and Saturday 10 June, The British & International Franchise Exhibition will once again open its doors to budding entrepreneurs, aspiring multi-unit franchisees and the franchisors of tomorrow.

This flagship event has been the highlight of the industry calendar for over 30 years – and for good reason. By combining leading franchise brands, a packed programme of free talks and industry experts under one roof, the exhibition offers attendees the chance to immerse themselves in the world of franchising.

This year’s event will showcase franchise

opportunities to suit all budgets, interests, and ambitions. Exhibiting brands include McDonald’s, Tutor Doctor, Visiting Angels, Platinum Property Partners, Black Sheep Coffee, The Massage Company, Flip Out, Kare Plus and many more, offering visitors the opportunity to learn more about their options.

(BFA) will be on hand to offer complimentary one-to-one advice on aspects of franchising.

Plus, the BFA will deliver a series of independent seminars to provide a gateway into the industry. Sessions include ‘An introduction to franchising’, ‘How to evaluate franchise opportunities’ and ‘Taking your next steps in franchising’.

To help attendees take the next steps on their franchise journey, the event will offer access to a wealth of inspiration, education and practical advice.

Specialist lawyers, funding providers, franchise consultants and representatives from the British Franchise Association

These invaluable presentations sit within an extensive programme of over 50 free educational presentations and workshops covering all aspects of franchising. Gain an in-depth insight into franchise trends, learn more about specific franchise

www.franchiseworld.co.uk | Summer, 2023 23

FRANCHISE EXHIBITION | OLYMPIA LONDON

‘We are delighted to showcase leading franchise brands alongside unparalleled educational content to help aspiring business-owners to unlock the potential of this lucrative business model.’ models and discover the level of support you can expect as a franchisee during franchisor-led seminars.

McDonald’s Insight Sessions will give curious investors the chance to find out what it is like to be a franchisee with the iconic brand. Representatives from the McDonald’s team will provide an overview of the opportunity and details on their first-class training programme.

Pre-booking is essential via www.FranchiseInfo.co.uk.

During the Real Franchise Stories Q&A sessions, which will take place on each day of the event, visitors will benefit from first-hand accounts from successful franchisees who have ‘been there, done that.’ Attendees will learn why panellists chose to invest, what they have learnt along the way, and their top tips for prospective investors.

Friday’s visitors will be treated to a

Keynote presentation by John Vincent, co-founder of the legendary LEON. During this unmissable session, Vincent will draw upon his personal experience of building one of the UK’s most notable brands to share his top five tips for franchise entrepreneurs.

Existing franchisees looking to grow their portfolios will gain invaluable insights from the Multi-unit Franchise Conference & Networking Lunch on Friday 9 June. Delegates will hear from successful multi-unit operators on a range of topics, including leading an expanding business and staying successful in evolving markets. Prebooking essential – email multiunit@vmgl.com for more details.

Tracy Shah, Senior Commercial Director at Venture Marketing Group, the event organisers, comments: “The British & International Franchise Exhibition has helped thousands of visitors kickstart

24 Summer, 2023 | www.franchiseworld.co.uk

their journey to business ownership.

This year’s event promises to be equally successful.

“We are delighted to be back at Olympia London to showcase leading franchise brands alongside unparalleled educational content to help aspiring business-owners to unlock the potential of this lucrative business model.”

Tickets to the event are free. Pre-book online at www.FranchiseTickets.co.uk.

For more information about what’s going on visit www.FranchiseInfo.co.uk. n

FOOD FRANCHISE

Chopstix plans to open 30 new stores following record sales

The UK Asian quick service restaurant group, Chopstix, plans to open 30 new stores this year, creating almost 1,000 new jobs.

The rapid expansion, reports Chopstix, has been fuelled by record revenues, with system sales forecast to reach over £65m by the end of its financial year, an increase of over 40% on the previous year.

The group projects revenue to rise even further in the following 12-months with system sales of over £90m predicted, which it highlights as a significant landmark for a business founded on an initial investment of £80,000.

Established in Camden Market, London, in 2002 by two entrepreneurs Sam Elia and Menashe Sadik, the group has grown steadily over the past two decades, before last year seeing a record number of 26 new restaurants opened. ➥

www.franchiseworld.co.uk | Summer, 2023 25

FOOD FRANCHISE

‘Our flexible model means we can operate in forecourts and food courts, town centres and shopping centres, holiday and retail parks.’

Chopstix says the business, which continues to be supported by Metro Bank, now comprises locations across the UK and Ireland through a mix of company-owned outlets and franchises with brands such as Applegreen, Sparta Foods and Welcome Break.

Competitor acquisition

The group kicked off 2023 with the acquisition of competitor, Chozen Noodle, comprising 27 motorway service area sites. Chopstix expansion plans continue with a pipeline of new sites, through both company-owned and franchise models, including new equity stores at Bracknell in Berkshire and at Brent Cross in London, in addition to securing agreements with experienced operators like Sparta Foods, and trials with Haven and Butlin’s.

“

Jon Lake, managing director of Chopstix Group, said: “We expect 2023 to be a

momentous year. We’ve worked hard to build our team and fine-tune our operational processes to ensure this is a highly scalable business that we can continue to grow rapidly.

“There is significant momentum behind the company, with the acquisition of Chozen and many new sites in the pipeline we are very confident about the year ahead and beyond.”

“We are already the largest Asianinspired quick service restaurant brand in the UK, and with the effectiveness of the business and the breadth of appeal our dishes boast, we’re confident that the business can continue to expand at pace and become a true household name in the next few years.”

Sadik added: “We believe there’s scope to reach 500 UK sites, and we also want to grow internationally through franchising. Our flexible model means we can operate in forecourts and food courts, town centres and shopping centres, holiday parks and retail parks.

Commenting on trading following Covid-19 lockdown restrictions Elia, said: “It is highly encouraging to see such marked rises in system sales. In recent years, we have focused heavily on perfecting our back of house processes, which has really supported rapid and effective expansion in footprint, particularly through the franchise model.

It is highly encouraging to see such marked rises in system sales. In recent years, we have focused heavily on perfecting our back of house processes, which has really supported rapid and effective expansion in footprint, particularly through the franchise model.

26 Summer, 2023 | www.franchiseworld.co.uk

“We’re continuing to evolve, with airports and drive-thru’s next on our list.

We’re just as passionate about Chopstix now as we were 20 years ago.”

Chopstix reports that a growing proportion of sales are via its app that was launched last summer and has had 150,000 downloads. The company has also found that its app users spend more per transaction than non-users. Chopstix customers can also order through the delivery providers, Deliveroo, Just Eat and Uber Eats. n

To learn more

www.chopstixnoodles.co.uk

PROPERTY MAINTENANCE FRANCHISE

Oltco reaches recycling milestone through its 50 franchise regions O

ltco, the sustainable resin bound driveway and flooring company, has announced a milestone of recycling the equivalent of 500 million plastic straws from Recycle Bound, which utilises waste plastic that is already in circulation.

Tom Stringer and Johnny Pearce, launched the Recycle Bound product for homeowners and businesses in 2019, and four years later has achieved this milestone through its 50 franchise areas in the UK and Channel Islands.

The company explains that its system uses waste plastic from straws, drink bottles and food packaging and each square metre of Recycle Bound consists of the equivalent of 3,000 plastic straws.

If Recycle Bound was laid on a standard 70 square metre drive, the company says the equivalent of 210,000 plastic straws would be recycled in the process.

Growing up in Cornwall, the co-directors of Oltco, Stringer and Pearce, said they saw first-hand the devastating effect plastic waste has on the coastline and they grew increasingly concerned about the effect it was having on our planet.

Recycle Bound highlights that the system has achieved recognition from multiple awards, including ‘Product of the Year’ at the Cornwall Business Awards, runner-up in ‘Recycled Product of the Year’ at the National Recycling Awards and ‘Sustainability Warrior’ from the British Franchise Association.

Recycle Bound said the system has been

installed at leading visitor attractions across the UK, such as the Eden Project, National Trust Sheffield Park & Garden, Bodmin Jail Hotel, Blackpool Sea Life Centre and RHS Harlow Carr. Oltco adds that it recycled the equivalent of 1.7 million plastic straws in the resin pathways at the Eden Project.

Stringer comments: “We have recycled the equivalent of 500 million plastic straws which is incredible. It is so exciting and rewarding to see so many of our customers, both domestic and commercial, opting for Recycle Bound.”

Pearce added: “We are incredibly proud and won’t be stopping here as the number of plastic straws that are recycled in our Recycle Bound installations increases every day. Here’s to the next 500 million.”

Oltco’s resin bound systems is suitable for a variety of installations from driveways to footpaths, playgrounds patios and balconies. n

To learn more

www.oltco.co.uk

www.franchiseworld.co.uk | Summer, 2023 27

FOOD FRANCHISE

Behrouz Biryani offers the taste of India B

ehrouz Biryani, an international food brand owned by Rebel Foods, is celebrating a successful six months after taking its number of UK franchises from seven to 35.

These impressive figures said Behrouz puts the brand in good stead to smash its target of over 50 restaurant partners by July this year.

The company said that Behrouz is widely regarded as India’s most loved biryani brand and a key name of Rebel Foods, the internet restaurant operator.

Last year marked Behrouz’s launch into the UK market. Available by delivery only, Behrouz aims to bring ‘Brits’ the authentic taste of India’s popular rice dish through its network of partner restaurants. Customers can order directly through its website, in addition to online platforms like Uber Eats.

Kaustubh Khare, brand country head for Behrouz Biryani UK, said: “We’re passionate about celebrating what is currently an underrepresented dish here in the UK, while educating people on the right way to enjoy biryanis.

“We wanted to make premium biryanis

accessible to expats craving the comfort of home and Brits who want to enjoy the authentic flavour of one of India’s most popular dishes.

“Over the coming months, we’re looking forward to expanding our menu and reaching new customers as we enter new regions and cities across the country.”

Rebel Foods explains that Behrouz’s success lies in the group’s business model, which uses commercial kitchens to build internet restaurant brands to deliver delicious meals to customers’ doorsteps.

Operating system Using the Rebel Operating System, Behrouz marries culinary innovation with technology from inventory and kitchen management, to demand management, fulfillment and maintaining food quality.

Current partner restaurants can be found across major cities including London, Manchester, Birmingham and Leeds.

Khare continued: “It’s not just about our fantastic food, for us Behrouz is also about supporting the UK hospitality industry, which is still, in many ways,

28 Summer, 2023 | www.franchiseworld.co.uk

recovering following the pandemic and the ongoing cost of living crisis.

“Our innovative franchise model allows existing restaurants to become a franchise with us, and supplement their income by working with a successful international brand partner, without having to upskill or take on new staff.

“With Behrouz, our vision is to offer food lovers an indulgent royal biryani experience and food operators the chance to increase their profit without high risk.”

The Behrouz menu currently offers a variety of chicken, mutton and vegetable biryani, in addition to its popular dishes such as Dum Gosht Mutton biryani and Lazeez Chicken Bhuna biryani. The menu caters to multiple preferences, including halal, and offers a selection of kebabs and naans as side orders.

Behrouz currently serves customers from over 350 restaurants across India, UAE and the UK. n

To learn more

https://behrouzbiryani.co.uk

ADVICE FOR FRANCHISEES

‘For franchisee’s thinking of selling, a critical first step is to engage your franchisor’ B

By Gillian Morris, UK Head of Franchising, HSBC

y any measurement, the last few years have been challenging; few businesses have remained untouched.

Over the last three years, we have navigated our way through the COVID 19 pandemic, recruitment challenges and inflationary cost pressures. All businesses in some ways have had to grapple with one of these, if not all.

Having come through these challenges, an increasing number of business owners have decided that now is the right time to refocus, step back and look for new challenges (even if it’s perfecting the golf swing).

Resales are increasingly the most important topic for franchisors and franchisees. Selling a non-franchised business can be relatively straightforward – if the buyer and seller agree terms, then they can hand the process over to their lawyers. In franchising, it is not as simple as that, as there is the inevitable third party involved – the franchisor.

For franchisees thinking of selling, a critical first step is to engage their franchisor, as each brand will have their own requirements and restrictions. The franchisor will be interested and, in many circumstances will need to approve potential acquirers, they will want to be satisfied that future franchisees meet their requirements and will support the future growth of their brand Often, franchisors will already have a potential list of acquirers including existing franchisees in the network and those seeking to buy an established business. Existing franchisees are often the best pool of potential buyers as they will have already been vetted by the

franchisor and most likely to be approved candidates. Existing management and employees are another pool of potential buyers. Whilst Management Buyouts are now a familiar term, an emerging sale route is to Employee Share Ownership Trusts.

Often a brand will be seeking to broaden the skill base or demographics of their franchisee base and will work with selected franchise consultants to source potential new buyers who they believe will develop and grow their brand.

Mature brands will be able to provide high level guidance on historic business valuations. It’s unlikely that your franchisor will provide more detailed advice on the value of your business, as whilst they will want to ensure the outgoing franchisee achieves the best

“

possible price, they will also be interested in the success of the incoming franchisee and ensuring that they have a long-term sustainable relationship.

Therefore, it’s important to remember that these are for guidance as the nature of the business will drive the valuation and often are bespoke considerations to that franchisee.

Factors driving the optimum valuation will include the value of goodwill within your business, whether your income stream is contracted, its location and attractiveness to other buyers ... your franchise business may be more valuable if you have competing bids.

Additionally, a buyer may be willing to pay more if the seller is flexible around payment terms, including deferred

A buyer may be willing to pay more if the seller is flexible around payment terms, including deferred payment terms which may or may not be conditional on the business meeting future performance targets.

About the author Gillian Morris has over 25 years’ experience in the financial services sector and was appointed as UK Head of Franchising, HSBC UK in January 2022.

Morris joined HSBC in 2017, as part of HSBC’s Commercial team in Northern Ireland and in January 2019 became Head of Corporate Banking & Agriculture, Northern Ireland for HSBC UK. Prior to joining HSBC, she worked for Lloyds Banking Group, based in London, having joined as a graduate trainee. Her career to date has encompassed relationship banking, structured asset finance as well as strategy development and business performance.

She holds a Law degree from Queen’s University, Belfast and a BSc(Hons) in Banking and Finance from UMIST and is an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Bankers (ACIB).

franchiseunit@hsbc.com www.business.hsbc.uk/hsbc-franchising

www.franchiseworld.co.uk | Summer, 2023 29

ADVICE FOR FRANCHISEES payment terms which may or may not be conditional on the business meeting future performance targets.

Agreed valuations will take into consideration many factors which will differ from sector to sector but from a banking perspective, we are interested in the ratio of the sale price to the historic cashflow generation (also known as EBITDA or Earnings Before Interest Tax Depreciation and Amortisation).

The EBITDA demonstrates the cashflow generation of the business and critically, the business’ ability to sustainably repay any debt that is incurred as part of the acquisition. The ability of a business to afford any associated debt repayments of an acquisition will be the driving factor in a bank’s ability to financially support an acquisition.

Whilst a buyer may be willing to pay greater multiples than the bank is willing to fund, EBITDA will be reviewed over a number of years to ensure that the

EBITDA generated is stable and sustainable, this provides the Bank and the buyer with some protection in the event that sales decline, or costs increase (inflationary pressures, interest rate increases, etc.).

Once a potential buyer or buyer(s) has been lined up, there will be critical considerations around Asset Sale versus Share Sale. In a share sale, the buyer purchases the shares in the trading company, the ownership of the company changes but the trading business continues as before.

Whereas in an asset sale, the trading business is transferred from buyer to seller and after completion, the seller is left with a shell company, with the assets transferred to the buyer. The business is operated by the buyer through a different legal entity.

Each have their merits and the route chosen will often depend on the sector, the legal nature of the business (is it

Maldives expansion for British Youth International College T

he British Youth International College (BYITC) reports that it is expanding into the Maldives in the Indian Ocean, following the success of its pioneering game-based maths learning programme for children in Sri Lanka.

BYITC, a Scottish college founded in 2015 by Glasgow-based academic and educator Dr Rashmi Mantri (right), started as an in-person tuition programme with classes in Glasgow and Edinburgh, and now offers online tuition reaching students around the world.

The move to the Maldives is being led by Jude Xavier, BYITC’s franchisee in Sri Lanka, who has been impressed with the results of the company’s maths programme using a counting tool that has been used for millennia – the abacus.

Xavier said: “I really like the way gamebased learning has helped our children improve their maths calculation and visualise solutions faster than a calculator. Our students have improved their mental arithmetic skills so much that they’re known as ‘Maths Mavericks’ when they go back to their regular schools.”

Businessman, Xavier, is also the founder and chief executive of Anka Corporation, a group of businesses based in Colombo, Sri Lanka, incorporating commodity

30 Summer, 2023 | www.franchiseworld.co.uk

trading as a sole trader, partnership, or limited company).

Vitally important considerations will include whether the business has existing employees who are transferring with the business, whether the business operates from leased premises (which would require landlord’s consent) and of course what finance agreements are in place, including asset finance and loans.

The method chosen to transfer the business to a seller will have tax and legal implications, so it is very important that sellers engage legal and accounting professionals, with franchise experience to ensure that they get the right advice for their circumstances. Your bank, or trade association will be able to signpost you to a panel of professionals to talk to.

Whilst this may appear daunting, don’t be put off as selling your business can be an exciting step and can open the doors to the next chapter of new opportunities and experiences. n

trading, and shipping and technology solutions for hospitality, education and renewable energy sectors.

BYITC delivers online abacus maths programmes and explains that it has developed the first games-based abacus maths application, with brightly coloured graphics and characters inspired by digital games, designed to engage children in the learning process.

Dr Mantri said she was proud the positive impact BYITC’s programme was having on Xavier’s students: “We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Mr Xavier and to work towards our shared goal of providing quality education to children across the globe and making fun-tastic maths learning.”

BYITC says The Maldives business will become its 11th franchise territory operating globally (including Dubai and the UK) teaching maths, in addition to English, cyber security and programming. n

To learn more

www.byitc.org www.supermaths.co.uk

BABY SWIM SCHOOL FRANCHISE

Water Babies introduces ‘Oceans of Imagination’

of – for over 20 years we’ve been providing highly trained teachers and an expertly developed swim programme.

“We understand the pressures faced by parents, that’s why our classes are nurturing and supportive in and out of the pool; as well as giving little ones the best start in life. We’re passionate about holistic learning, and our Oceans of Imagination is tailored to every stage, prioritising children’s personal development.

W

ater Babies, the baby and early years swimming school franchise, has announced a brand-new immersive experience for families – a swimming journey to help little ones learn a skill for life – through its ‘Oceans of Imagination’ programme.

A vibrant and stimulating learning journey for little ones, Water Babies says its Oceans of Imagination will unlock new challenges for children. As their skills develop, they uncover missions around core aquatic skills, swimming strokes and water safety. Fun and swimming progress will go hand-in-hand through purposeful play.

Water Babies explains that its programme will immerse children into a fantastical world with five dynamic characters known as ‘The Swimvincibles’ to encourage a passion and awareness of the water.

Four islands – each representing a core area of swimming – have been created

by Water Babies where children will work towards achieving key milestones to collect stickers, certificates and

“For babies, our classes provide a sensory playground and give parents and little ones the bonding time that’s so important; but as children get older, the programme has the scope to develop as they do – becoming more engaging and deepening in relevance and meaning.”

badges to recognise their progression of swimming skills.

Hannah Smith, director of aquatics at Water Babies, says: “With our new exciting islands and amazing Swimvincibles, families will be able to fully immerse themselves into their swimming journey, as it will explain to children and carers why we teach the skills we do in our classes, to fully understand their child’s own and unique swimming journey.”

Paul Thompson, co-founder of Water Babies, adds: “We have a lot to be proud

Founded in 2002, Water Babies says it has over 52 franchised outlets with around 600 teachers providing swimming tuition to over 52,000 little ones every week through its network across the UK, Ireland, Canada, The Netherlands and China.

Water Babies adds that it is the only baby swimming school with its own pool consultancy service and its own inhouse, award-winning underwater baby photography unit. n

To learn more

www.waterbabies.co.uk

www.franchiseworld.co.uk | Summer, 2023 31

CARE FRANCHISE

A REAL Business Opportunity with Caremark - The REAL Care Company

The big opportunity comes from providing REAL care to all people!

Providing home care to everyone that needs it, enables our franchise owners to run hugely successful businesses. In addition, they provide a well-needed and valued service to their community and change lives for the better in the process!

As The REAL Care Company, Caremark’s business offering delivers both financial and personal rewards in a market that is growing year on year, driven by an ageing population and a health service that is relying evermore on private care companies to provide care at home. Home care is recession proof and growing!

We have worked hard to build our brand in all markets across the entire home care industry. We service private customers who pay for their own care as well as customers who require their local authority to arrange care for them. For you, this means you have access to the entire home care market, not just a portion of it.

Our reputation is not only based on 17 years of experience and a business model that is proven to be resilient to

pie and, the opportunity to build a £1m turnover business within three years.

economic instability, but more importantly, our understanding of REAL care; putting people first and living the values of respect, honesty, integrity, and teamwork.

This caring culture is present in every aspect of Caremark’s operation, from top to bottom, from the way we support our customers through to care staff and onward through the operational and management teams.

Our network of 120 plus offices all reflect our culture because we believe in getting the caring formula right. By really caring about our customers and staff, a spirit of loyalty and teamwork is fostered amongst our staff which translates into delivering a caring, quality service.

This is what makes us different.

And successful.

Caring about you means we support and guide you from the moment you join us and onwards through your business life: ● Two-week comprehensive, intensive induction training programme setting you up to be launch ready. ● High level of support with only 20-25 offices per regional support manager. ● Compliance support from specialist quality manager.

You don’t need to have a background in care to join us either. We’re looking for compassionate people with good business acumen and management experience; individuals who are excited by the idea of building a long-term care business and making a positive contribution to their local community.

If this sounds like you, this is your chance to change your life and improve the lives of many others.

At a Glance

We’re justifiably proud of our fine-tuned business model too because it supports business owners to operate successfully in all home care markets, giving them every opportunity to build a long-term, profitable business. This means you can have a slice of the whole care industry

Established: 2005 Number of franchised outlets: 132 Location of units: UK, India, Ireland and

Malta Investment range: up to £118,000 Minimum required capital: £37,500 Contact: 01903 266 392

franchise@caremarklimited.co.uk franchise.caremark.co.uk n

www.franchiseworld.co.uk | Summer, 2023 33

Advertorial

If you’re looking to invest in a business that not only delivers profit but also makes a REAL difference to your community, you need to explore Caremark’s big opportunity.

ADVICE FOR FRANCHISEES

How to generate local PR for your business...

and what’s the point of doing so, anyway?

By Lucy Archer, Co-founder, Rev PR

A

s a franchisee, or any business owner, what’s one of the most important factors that determines your success? The title of this article is a bit of a giveaway really, but a question is a great way to make a point, isn’t it?

This all-important and not-so-secret key to success centres around your ability to generate positive publicity and build a strong reputation within your local community. More commonly known as PR.

What’s the point of PR? Well, forgive me for saying but if people don’t know you exist, they’re unlikely to buy from you. And, arguably worse, if they do know you exist but don’t like, trust or rate you, then not only will then never buy from you, but they may influence others not to either. Yikes.

Here then, is where local PR – public relations – comes in. Local PR is all about creating a positive image of your business within your local community by telling stories about the businesses and people who live, study and work there.

And it can be incredibly effective in generating buzz, attracting customers, and building trust.

We’re in a hearts and minds era Whether you like it or not. And no matter what product or service your business offers, you must speak to the heart if you want to engage the mind and compel people to act.

Anyone who has chatted to me, or anyone else at Rev PR for that matter, since the start of the pandemic will attest to the fact that on this point, we sound a bit like a stuck record. But that’s because it’s so important and something that even

important to identify who your target audience is. This could be potential customers, investors, or even other businesses in your community. Once you know who you’re targeting, you can tailor your messaging and tactics to appeal to them.

now, many business owners are still getting wrong. LIKE and TRUST are two of the most important currencies in the world of business today.

So, how do you actually ‘do’ local PR? Admittedly, it can feel daunting to put yourself and your business under the spotlight. Many franchisees (and franchisors for that matter) tell us that they simply don’t know what to talk about or where to start.You’ll be pleased to know, none of what you need to do is rocket-science. It does, however, require time, energy and commitment. But trust me, it’s worth it!

Rev PR’s top tips to get you started

1

Identify your target audience. Before you start creating your local PR strategy, it’s

“

2

Build relationships with local journalists.

These contacts have great influence and can be powerful allies in generating local PR for your business. Take the time to research local journalists who cover your industry, or your niche within it or regularly cover the type of story you’re hoping to take out to them.

Reach out with a friendly introduction prior to or at the very least, with a pitch for a story. Building relationships with journalists takes time and effort but will pay dividends in the long run. ➥

Well, forgive me for saying but if people don’t know you exist, they’re unlikely to buy from you. And, arguably worse, if they do know you exist but don’t like, trust or rate you, then not only will then never buy from you, but they may influence others not to either.

About the author

Co-founder of Rev PR, Lucy Archer is a passionate franchise professional with over a decade of experience. She is a member of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR), the Public Relations and Communications Association and a BFA Qualified Franchise Professional.

Rev PR currently holds the title of Best Franchise Awards ‘Best Franchise Supplier’ and, in the last two years, was crowned Outstanding Small Consultancy by the CIPR and took Silver for Best PR & Marketing business in the Best Business Women Awards.

Passionate about the power of brand storytelling, Archer and the team at Rev PR help franchisors and franchisees to grow their businesses, empower their teams and create legacies for themselves and their families.

lucy@revpr.co.uk www.revpr.co.uk

www.franchiseworld.co.uk | Summer, 2023 35

ADVICE FOR FRANCHISEES 3

Host events and sponsor local causes. If you’re just starting out, a grand opening event is a must and the ideal way to generate your first pieces of local PR. Whether you are premises-based or work from home, have a service or product, are a B2B or B2C business, there’s a way to generate coverage around your launch. Check out the resource centre on our website for some advice and how-to guides.

But what about if you’re already wellestablished or never got round to holding a grand opening? In this case, hosting a timely, themed event or sponsoring local causes is a great way to get your business in the spotlight. Consider partnering with a local charity or nonprofit, inviting some of their key stakeholders along and genuinely doing your bit to raise money, awareness or make a difference.

Or why not host an open day or experience, a free trial or a communityfocused event that aims to bring people together and tackle a local issue. This is where a franchisee’s local knowledge becomes invaluable because you know what is happening in your area and you must leverage that knowledge!

4

Create valuable content. This is key to generating any PR for your business, but especially local PR. What issues are affecting people in your area right now?

What questions do your customers have?

What information and knowledge do you possess that your target audiences need to know? This is a classic case of ‘give a little, get a lot’.

The beauty of this type of content is that not only does it generate local PR and, therefore, raise awareness of your brand, it also sets you as a local expert and a business that people can trust. That’s what we call a win-win. Don’t forget you should squeeze every last drop out of this content by repurposing it for use on your blog, across social media and even as video content.

5

Leverage local social media. Social media is often seen as a sweeping,

NEWS national and even global monster that cannot be tamed. But that’s just not true.

Used thoughtfully, social media can be a powerful tool for generating and spreading local PR for your business.

Research appropriate local groups and identify key influencers – be that by industry, interest or even location. Build relationships and look for ways you can genuinely work with influencers that will benefit both audiences.

Keep it local This could be the biggest tip of all! It sounds obvious but if you want to be in your local media, make sure your stories and news items are locally focused.

Hyper local is perfect. The more local references you can bring in, the more village, town or city history you can cite, the more generations of a local family linked in, the better. Remember to include those details in your pitches to really grab the attention of your media contacts.

Generating local PR for your business takes time and effort – all the best things do, right? But with an ongoing focus and commitment, you will attract new customers, build trust, and position your business for long-term success. What’s not to love?

Shift your perspective There’s also one final – and very important – nugget that works on any level, be it local, regional or national. It’s actually about a mindset shift rather than a specific action. And it’s to stop trying to sell when you talk to customers in your content. People are looking for more – for connection, for community, for purpose. Hearts and minds. And the best way to do that is through stories – so, go tell them.

Team Rev regularly write articles about hot topics and share PR advice like this to help you make the most of your PR activity. To make sure you don’t miss out, follow us on social media: LinkedIn, Twitter or Instagram. And, if you fancy a chat about local PR in more detail then get in touch. n

To learn more

lucy@revpr.co.uk www.revpr.co.uk

36 Summer, 2023 | www.franchiseworld.co.uk

Recognition Express’ new catalogue RECOGNITION EXPRESS is all set for its busiest season, as schools and businesses invest in branded merchandise for the coming academic year, autumn conferences and events.

In readiness for this heightened demand, the franchisor has published its 2023/24 catalogue, full of new products including drinkware, made from ‘Prevented Ocean Plastic’ that has been recycled after collection from coastal areas.

Chris Masters, managing director of Recognition Express, says the catalogue is an important marketing asset for franchisees, complementing the online presence.

“We always see a spike in franchisees’ sales at this time of year, so the annual catalogue is strategically timed to support and extend that. When customers look online, they often already know what they’re looking for.

The catalogue allows them to browse in a different way, stimulating ideas they may not have considered before.”

Recognition Express explains that franchisees can order a quota of catalogues for their own use or take advantage of centralised distribution.

To view their product range click here. n

FITNESS FRANCHISE

Heartcore announces global franchise plans for its pilates studio T

he UK boutique pilates brand, Heartcore, has announced new expansion plans with the launch of an international franchise model seeking to open new studios worldwide.

Heartcore, founded by Jessie Blum (pictured) in 2007, has seven London studios in addition to its digital offering of livestream and on-demand classes that have attracted clients across the globe.

The company explains that each Heartcore studio is carefully designed to feel like a home away from home to make the member experience truly immersive, and its distinctive franchise opportunity will enable like-minded entrepreneurs to establish a studio in their own market, joining an international community passionate about mindful movement.

The brand says it is known as the experts in ‘Dynamic Pilates’, which delivers transformative results for both mind and body, improving mobility, flexibility and strength. Classes are low-impact, making them accessible to a wider demographic, and with a level of adaptability that makes it suitable for all body types.

Each franchisee will receive a tailormade Heartcore Franchise Package, which includes expert support in business planning, studio management and marketing, alongside in-depth teacher training. Teachers at franchise studios will also be part of Heartcore’s ongoing training programme, enabling them to continue their education and consistently deliver the most transformational workout.

Franchisees will also get access to its ‘Coreformer’, a pilates reformer designed by Blum that is exclusive to Heartcore. Its innovative design includes an extra-wide and long carriage, two platforms and a patented foot bar mechanism, which makes it easy to use and adaptable for every shape.

Heartcore’s digital platform was initially launched in 2020 to maintain operations during Covid lockdowns, which has now grown to the creation of a global community including clients in Cape Town, Dubai, New York, Paris, Sydney and Tokyo.

Blum said that over the last 17 years Heartcore has gone from strength to

strength with over 100,000 people ‘moving together’ since its doors opened: “From the success of our London studios, each unique to their neighbourhood, to the thousands of members that move with us from around the world; our success is in the results we continuously achieve.

“Now, we’re excited to replicate this success in markets across the globe by inviting those that share our values to join our community. By doing so, not only will our partners gain a unique wellness offering and tailor-made equipment, but they will reap the knowledge and insight of a founder-led business nearly two decades in the making.” n

To learn more

www.weareheartcore.com/en-gb/owna-studio

www.franchiseworld.co.uk | Summer, 2023 37

FOOD FRANCHISE

Wing Kingz is really going places and wants you along for the ride

verything about the Wing Kingz brand is designed to be noticed.

This exciting, new QSR brand is really creating a buzz.

Don’t you think that when people head out on the town, they want more than just another restaurant, and Wing Kingz is anything but. Customers will find great food, a great atmosphere and fantastic sporting events all wrapped up in some serious swagger and style.

Wing Kingz started their franchise recruitment drive towards the end of 2022 with the launch of their new website and they’ve been inundated with enquiries from potential franchisees up and down the UK, and even a couple of enquiries from people wanting to open Wing Kingz restaurants overseas.

Pictured below is their new branded Wing Kingz Wagon which is causing

Advertorial

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quarter last year. With their wide range of sporting events and warm, friendly ambience, they are seeing a lot of new customers alongside some loyal, repeat business.

quite a stir in Wing Kingz hometown of Milton Keynes.

Why is Wing Kingz proving to be such a popular franchise?

It is a brand that has perfectly captured the vibe and atmosphere customers are looking for: ● They have a world-class leadership team who are making their skills and experience available. ● Wing Kingz takes the guesswork out of starting a new business with a proven model. ● Fantastic earning potential with six figure income possible from just year two.

On top of that, Wing Kingz consistently list as one of the top five take-away options for customers in Milton Keynes on Deliveroo – right up there with all the biggest name brands like McDonald’s, Nandos, and KFC. It just goes to show there is no cost of living crisis when it comes to great food and great atmosphere.

Of course, these are just some of the reasons why this is such a great opportunity. Another is the incredible launch package they are offering all new franchisees to give them the best possible start. In true Wing Kingz style, they will be going all out with an initial six week Sky advertising campaign for the local area.

A snapshot of success at Wing Kingz, Milton Keynes More and more customers are coming in all the time, and the restaurant has reported sales are up a whopping 11 per cent in Q1 2023 compared to the same

Don’t miss your chance to get involved?

With so much interest being generated in this franchise, it’s only a matter of time before we start seeing Wing Kingz restaurants popping up in towns and cities right across the country.

Each one of those is going to be one less territory up for grabs. It could very well be the one you’ve got your eye on.

So, if you’re interested in starting your own restaurant business with Wing Kingz, get in touch soon. It’s as simple as scheduling a call HERE or visit: wingkingzfranchise.co.uk. n

www.franchiseworld.co.uk | Summer, 2023 39

Ovenu - The UK's original oven valeting franchise.

No experience necessary in depth oven valeting and business operation training Recession proof business Enquiries from day one Tried, tested & trusted since 1994 Exclusive territory Bespoke, unique cleaning products generating spectacular results Set your own schedule Get involved from £7,400 + VAT

Benefit from 40,000+ client reviews & testimonials for our specialist service

Find out more 01189 743 911 or via ovenu.co.uk/franchise

ADVICE FOR FRANCHISORS

Investing in your CRM system could transform your business

I

By Rik Hellewell, Founder and Managing Director, Ovenu

had a message from a franchisee the other day to let me know they were doing a ‘jig of joy’ while on holiday in Tenerife. The unlikely source of such merriment was Ovenu’s customer relationship management system (CRM).

When we introduced our first CRM back in 2017, it was difficult to persuade some franchisees to abandon age-old practices of scribbling down quotes or bookings in a diary or, even worse, on scraps of paper.

Since then, Ovenu has constantly invested in and evolved its bespoke CRM system to ensure it’s the best in the sector, providing a comprehensive end-to-end service.

This not only ensures compliance with Data Protection Laws and GDPR as well as online and distance selling

“

regulations, but delivers exceptional results for franchisees and clients alike.

The delight, which prompted that message from the Canary Islands, was due to the fact that the franchisee had accessed the CRM system via their smartphone and had booked in two clients a day for an oven clean whilst they were away.

They went on to explain that they had set aside a daily 10 minutes, spent by the pool, during the holiday to deal with incoming enquiries, organise quotes and confirm bookings. Happy in the knowledge they wouldn’t arrive home to face a mountain of admin.

Even 1,900 miles away, they were still able to run their business seamlessly and with maximum efficiency because they had access to all the necessary information.

By law, if you organise anything at arms-length, over the phone or online, and the product or services has a value in excess of £42, then the business is legally required to provide an itemised record of the transaction.

As well as the usual features, Ovenu’s CRM possesses unique features including an accounting facility, that can raise sub-contractor invoices, and a data analysis function allowing franchisees to see which services and products generate the best income and highlights where they are getting the best returns on their investment.

It also provides access to the Ovenu operations manual, which includes help and guidance, as well as tutorials.

The majority of enquiries are directly uploaded to the platform and accessed by the franchisees, who then call the clients directly to discuss their requirements. If a client wishes to proceed, the system confirms the quote and the full booking details are sent to them, followed by a reminder email 24-hours prior to the visit.

The franchisees have a copy of the transaction accessible from their phone, tablet, or laptop. In many cases Ovenu franchisees will organise a repeat visit as they finish up an oven clean at the

www.franchiseworld.co.uk | Summer, 2023 41

ADVICE FOR FRANCHISORS client’s home, as well as organising email reminders. The system’s final task is to issue a receipt.

The ability to confirm an appointment up to six months ahead is also beneficial to the client, as the price is guaranteed at the time of booking.

Cyber security and identity fraud is a major issue these days, both for franchisees and clients, and the CRM system is dedicated to keeping that information safe in the Cloud, with all data protected and encrypted.

By law, if you organise anything at arms-length, over the phone or online, and the product or services has a value in excess of £42, then the business is legally required to provide an itemised record of the transaction, even down to the name of the technician who will undertake the task, and a form allowing the client to cancel their booking.

Maintaining strict compliance to these rules helps preserve and uphold Ovenu’s five star reputation and underlines our commitment to our clients that we act in a transparent and equitable way. An approach that helps us remain ahead of our competitors.

The majority of our franchisees now fully appreciate and embrace the benefits of the CRM system, which is not only simple to use and access but helps streamline their business, giving them additional time to devote to delivering an exceptional service and generating greater income. Not to mention their improved work/life balance.

While the system is extremely accurate, we find clients don’t want a completely automated response, which is why our franchisees always follow-up with a phone call to discuss the services available and what is best suited to their requirements.

Bright & Beautiful shines with 30 per cent growth B

right & Beautiful reports that the company is celebrating two consecutive record-breaking years with over 30 per cent growth, in addition to expanding to over 73 franchisees across the UK.

& Beautiful, comments: “2022 was a phenomenal year for Bright & Beautiful with our franchisees experiencing huge growth, which is set to continue in 2023 and beyond.

The company puts the success down to not only its proven business model but also greater demand post-Covid, with fewer competitors in the marketplace.

“I am so proud to be leading this innovative, determined and resilient network and also the Bright & Beautiful business development team who strive daily to support our franchisees.

Jo Vorwerg, managing director of Bright

“We are all so excited about the future of

42 Summer, 2023 | www.franchiseworld.co.uk

About Ovenu

Ovenu is one of the leading UK and international domestic oven cleaning and valeting specialist. The process involves dismantling key components of an oven and placing them into design-registered equipment, which uses non-caustic, non-toxic and biodegradable products to clean the oven parts.

This maintains that hugely valuable personal connection between franchisee and client and further reinforces our high customer satisfaction rates.

Ovenu’s CRM has steadily evolved over the years to become the ultimate tool that works with, and for, our local area franchisees and it has transformed the business by making the whole network more streamlined, successful and profitable. n

To learn more

www.ovenufranchise.co.uk

our brand and know that 2023 will be another year of growth and achievements.”

A survey conducted by Bright & Beautiful in 2022 showed that 94 per cent of their clients said its hardworking team and their services ‘make their homes happier’.

The housekeeping service provides as little or as much cleaning support to suit the client from regular cleans, to post-build, end of tenancy and holiday let cleans. The company adds that it employs and trains professional housekeepers who pride themselves on delivering its outstanding services. n

To learn more

www.brightandbeautifulhome.com

COMMERCIAL VEHICLE CLEANING FRANCHISE

PVC Vendo resale sold to its long-standing employee A

fter 19 years working as an employee for a PVC Vendo franchisee, Richard Smithson (below) saw the opportunity to take the reins of the business following the retirement of the owner Nick Clifton, and has now become the franchisee for Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield.

The resale territory of the commercial vehicle cleaning franchise was established in 1991 and Smithson says no changes are currently planned for the operation that employs two full-time members of staff but his goal is to expand it into a family business.

Smithson, having worked for Clifton since 2004, said he felt very comfortable with his decision to buy the business as he knew it was successful and profitable: “Nick is still a great friend and mentor and I’ve got the daily advice and support of my franchisor behind me too, which gives me great peace of mind.”

Explaining his ambition of having a family business, Smithson says: “My goal is to expand and turn it into a proper family business. My son Aaron joined us during the pandemic when his school was closed, and has never looked

back. He loves being out in the vans all day, meeting customers and washing their vehicles to our very high PVC Vendo standards.

chasing clients for payment. Franchisees are paid, much like an employee, on a set day each month, and it is up to us at head office to collect payment from their clients, which we then pass on to them.

“He’s only 18 so has a lot to learn, despite regularly asking me when he can become a partner, but that ambition is great to see and I’m hoping my daughter Jordan (20) will come and work with us soon too, to make it a real family affair.”

Smithson and his team visit depots across Yorkshire, seven days a week, to wash commercial vehicles for clients who have anything from seven to 70 vehicles to keep clean. The business also offers an internal cab cleaning service, SaniClean, developed at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic to sanitise vehicles.

David Callister, operations director of PVC Vendo, was pleased that Smithson had bought the business having years of experience of vehicle cleaning.

Callister comments: “We’ve been working with Richard to ensure he is just as confident with the paperwork and administrative duties as well.

“One of the huge benefits of a PVC Vendo franchise is that we deal with credit control at the head office, meaning franchisees don’t ever get involved in

“We have many father-and-son teams working together at PVC Vendo and it is wonderful to see it working so well for Richard and Aaron too. We wish Richard the very best of luck and look forward to seeing the franchise prosper and grow over the coming years.”

PVC Vendo, owned by the franchise group Taylor Made Franchising, explains that the business is run almost entirely through an app developed by the group.

The app advises the mobile operative where and when the next appointment is and which vehicles are scheduled for cleaning. An alert is then sent to the vehicle owner or depot manager after the job is completed and automatically sends out the invoice to the customer.

The company serves a variety of commercial clients including businesses with refrigerated and food-carrying vehicles through to general haulage, security vehicles and fuel tankers. n

To learn more

www.taylormadefranchising.co.uk

www.franchiseworld.co.uk | Summer, 2023 43

HOME TUTORING FRANCHISE

Why home tutoring has never been so important, or in greater demand, than it is now Y

ou are no doubt well aware of how much help schools and local authorities need to deliver their educational goals. They’ve always struggled to help those students most in need to fulfil their true potential and pass their exams.

In recent years home tutoring has become very much part of their key policy, rather than just an add on for certain parents and schools.

As a result, the government is offering 60% funding to schools for the service for this current academic year, particularly through the National Tutoring Programme (NTP) set up in 2020.

The success of the NTP and how you can be a part of it

Advertorial

Since the pandemic, there has been unprecedented demand for home tutoring services to help deal with so many students who have fallen behind due to months, or even years, of missing school.

of the NTP) and October 2022, there were 2,854,648 course starts by pupils ● The NTP should be seen as a core part of the school system going forward, with delivery re-focused in the long term to tackle the attainment gap ● Given the strong evidence behind the effectiveness of tutoring, government funding for NTP should continue with more schools encouraged to engage with it

Renowned social mobility foundation, the Sutton Trust, recently released a report which makes fascinating reading for anyone already in, or thinking of getting into, this business. It’s well worth taking the time to go through, but here are their key findings about the impact of NTP:

Suffice to say, home tutoring is well on its way to becoming an integral part of the mainstream education system in the UK.

● In early 2020, 10% of secondary

“

school leaders reported that one-toone and small group tuition was their priority for pupil premium spending that year. By 2022 this was 34% ● Between November 2020 (the launch

Choice Home Tutoring franchise partners are continuing to benefit from the NTP and others like it, very high levels of calls and referrals from local schools.

... home tutoring is well on its way to becoming an integral part of the mainstream education system in the UK.

Unless there is a rapid, fundamental change in how schools are funded and structured, this looks set to continue for a long time, especially with support from such respected bodies as the Sutton Trust.

By joining the Choice Home Tutoring franchise, you too can be part of an established business model which has a reputation for excellence all across the UK, and also become a government accredited provider for the NTP.

Interested in learning more?

Then why don’t you get in touch? You will want to make sure you get your facts straight before making your decision, and that’s where we come in. There’s absolutely no pressure, and we are more than happy to take you through the finer details of how this franchise might work for you.

To contact Choice Home Tutoring please schedule a call with us HERE or complete our form HERE. n

www.franchiseworld.co.uk | Summer, 2023 45

Exit Plan.

Do your franchisees have one?

We can support you with a FREE exit planning seminar to help your franchisees prepare for their future exit from the business.

"Great presentation from Michael to explain to our franchisees about how they go about getting their business ready for sale. An open and transparent process and lots of interesting information." - Becky H

www.franchiseresales.co.uk 01522 246811

ADVICE FOR FRANCHISORS

Are you a franchisor who is worried about resales in your network?

R

By Michael Bohan, Managing Director, Franchise Resales

esales can be a great thing for both you and your franchisees. In fact, by including exit planning in your franchising process, you are setting yourself up for long-term success.

As a franchisor, your responsibility doesn’t end once a franchisee signs on the dotted line. You need to continue nurturing your network and encouraging growth for as long as possible. One way to do that is by including exit planning in your franchising process.

When a franchisor provides exit planning strategies, franchisees have all the information they need to achieve the best price when it comes time to sell or retire from the business. This ensures a smooth exit from your network, keeping everyone happy.

But the benefits of resales go beyond just a smooth exit for franchisees. When a franchisee decides to sell, it provides you with an opportunity to bring in a new and enthusiastic business owner who will continue to grow the business and your brand. This incoming franchisee can bring fresh ideas, a new perspective, and potentially added value to your network.

But how do you ensure that you are choosing the right candidate to purchase a business in your network? When your franchisees choose to sell with Franchise Resales, we make sure we understand what you are looking for in a franchisee.

This ensures that the incoming franchisee is a good fit for your network and has the potential to continue growing the business.

Exit planning can also help your franchisees achieve the best possible

price for their business. When exit planning strategies are provided, your network will be able to think about what is important for them in the process of building their business. This knowledge will help them achieve a great return on their investment.

Once all territories in your network are sold, it’s a huge sign of a successful franchise. But it can also help to increase the demand for a resale – when they come along. Mature brands on average have 10 per cent of their network for sale each year. This means that resales can become a regular occurrence, which is why it’s important to have exit planning strategies in place.

So, don’t fear resales in your network.

By giving your franchisees a helping hand with their exit planning, you are assisting their success and their smooth departure from the network. And who knows, the purchaser of their business might just be the perfect fit to take your network to the next level.

At Franchise Resales, we offer free exit planning seminars to help your franchisees prepare for their future exit

from the business. These bespoke seminars are tailored to your franchise network and provide your franchisees with the knowledge and skills they need to create a successful exit plan.

An exit plan is more than just a plan for the end, it’s a plan for the journey. In order to be successful, your franchisees must first reach the milestones that are set out in their plan.

Our exit planning seminars cover a range of topics, including: ● Understanding the process of selling a

business. ● Determining the value of your

business. ● Preparing your business for sale. ● Identifying potential buyers. ● Negotiating a sale.

But our support doesn’t end there. We continue to work with your franchisees throughout their journey, providing ongoing guidance and support. We understand that selling a business can be a stressful and emotional time, which is why we are here to make the process as smooth as possible. n

About the author Michael Bohan is a seasoned professional in the franchising sector, having worked in the industry since 2010. He started his career as a recruitment consultant for a local franchise operation in Lincoln and quickly developed a passion for franchising.

Bohan has gained extensive experience in various aspects of the industry, including franchise resales, exit strategies and business development.

Today, Bohan is the Managing Director of Franchise Resales, a UK-based company that specialises in helping franchisees sell their businesses. In this role, he has been instrumental in modernising the company’s operations through the development of a new CRM system and website.

michaelb@franchiseresales.co.uk www.franchiseresales.co.uk

www.franchiseworld.co.uk | Summer, 2023 47

Your Invitation TO ENTER THE 2023 BEST FRANCHISE AWARDS WorkBuzz would like to invite you to take part in the 2023 Best Franchise Awards Programme & Awards.

This is your opportunity to nd out how satis ed your network are and be recognized as one of the best franchisors in the industry.

Franchises which provide services to business

Business to Consumer (B2C)

Franchises which provide services directly to consumers e.g. gardening, pet care, personal services

Children’s Services

Franchises which provide services aimed at children e.g. children’s classes

Management

Franchisees are expected to recruit a team of at least 8 employees e.g. care, retail, food, gyms

Other Awards

The WorkBuzz Benchmark Satisfaction Survey is an integral part of our working practice; it is the key to delivering continuous improvements in our franchise system and to ensuring we never become complacent. It has helped us to work in partnership with our valued franchisees and their teams, creating a collaborative culture and a highly engaged network of franchise owners, who share our commitment to striving for excellence. The Workbuzz team are extremely professional, forward-thinking, and fully focused on enabling best practice for franchisor and franchisees alike, and their support along our journey has been, and remains, highly valued.

Lucy Campbell, CEO, Right at Home

“

“

2023

Business to Business (B2B)

sharon.weston@workbuzz.com | @bestfranchiseuk | www.bestfranchiseawards.co.uk

ADVICE FOR FRANCHISORS

Why is employee listening and feedback so important for franchise growth?

By Sharon Weston, Head of Franchising, WorkBuzz

T

he Best Franchise Programme & Awards are an acknowledgement of the excellent organisations across the franchising industry within the UK. The awards recognise the achievements and successes of franchisors, as well as the franchising industry as a whole, giving recognition to the efforts of these organisations to improve their operations and provide an outstanding experience for both their franchisees and customers.

Since 2011, the Best Franchise Programme & Awards has worked with more than 350 franchise networks to gather objective feedback from their franchisees, benchmark their franchisee support against industry standards, and improve franchisee relations and network performance.

How do the Best Franchise Programme & Awards work?

On an agreed date, we will launch a branded survey to your network to reach all active franchisees who have been trading for at least two months.

The survey should remain open for approximately two weeks with regular

“

Running employee surveys helps identify areas of weakness, areas that need improving, and areas of particular strength. And it is this information that can help franchisees create a more satisfied and productive workforce, through making more informed decisions about how to improve internal processes.

reminders sent out to those who haven’t yet responded. Automated response rates will then be emailed to you daily, to provide an understanding of how many people in your network have completed the survey.

comfortable sharing their opinions and ideas. This encourages collaboration between colleagues which can lead to quicker problem-solving solutions, greater efficiency, and ultimately longerterm success.

Once the survey is closed and response levels from franchisees pass 60 per cent, you can enter into the Best Franchise Awards – where shortlists are determined based on overall franchise satisfaction scores.

The benefits of understanding the employee opinion for franchisees

Employee surveys enables franchise growth Employee listening and feedback is essential to the growth of a franchise, as it provides valuable insight into the performance of the franchise on a dayto-day basis. By collecting data from employees, franchisors can get a better understanding of areas of strength and weakness in their operations. This data can then be used to inform strategic decision making in order to increase customer satisfaction levels, drive profitability, and improve employee retention rates.

Not only that, but employee feedback also helps to foster an open and transparent culture within the organisation, where employees feel

One significant factor that is often overlooked in the franchising industry is how employee opinions affect franchisees, franchisors, and the brand.

Employee surveys are common across many industries, but they are particularly important in franchises because of the way such organisations depend on the happiness and productivity levels of their employees in order to be successful.

Employee feedback and opinions provide critical insights into how franchises are run. Running employee surveys helps identify areas of weakness, areas that need improving, and areas of particular strength. And it is this information that can help franchisees create a more satisfied and productive workforce, through making more informed decisions about how to improve internal processes.

These happier, more productive work environments can then lead to reduced

About the author Sharon Weston is Head of Franchising at WorkBuzz, the employee survey specialists. She manages and develops the successful Franchise Satisfaction Benchmark Programme in the UK, helping franchisors to measure and improve their franchisee engagement.

sharon.weston@workbuzz.com www.bestfranchiseawards.co.uk

www.franchiseworld.co.uk | Summer, 2023 49

ADVICE FOR FRANCHISORS

COMMENT

employee turnover rates, increased engagement, and higher morale, in-turn translating into improved customer service, higher profits, and higher overall success.

May is the start of new franchise beginnings

What’s in it for franchisors?

Franchisees aren’t the only ones who can benefit from learning about the opinions of everyone employed by them, though – the franchisors themselves benefit too.

With a bulk of readily available data, franchisors can determine whether there are any common causes of concern or issues that are in need of addressing across their franchises. Franchisors that then take this employee feedback into account and make the relevant changes will see an increase in overall franchise development, increased sales, and a more significant demand for their franchise brand in the market.

Summary Employee satisfaction has a significant and direct impact on franchise businesses. Franchisees and franchisors should take critical steps towards creating an open and transparent communication system, allowing employees to provide valuable feedback on their employer practices. This will help to create a more engaged and productive workforce, which is crucial for franchise growth.

Employee feedback also helps franchisors understand market conditions, brand reputation, and customer experience, indicating how they can improve their services. By creating an open and transparent workforce, together with employee feedback listening programmes, franchisors can create an environment where their employees are satisfied and motivated, potentially skyrocketing their success in the long run.

If you’d like to enter your franchise into the Best Franchise Programme & Awards, or if you’d like further information about gathering employee feedback please contact me. n

To learn more

sharon.weston@workbuzz.com www.bestfranchiseawards.co.uk

M

By Mark Scott, Managing Director, Azura ay is the start of many new beginnings and so it could also be the start of a new franchise purchase or the start for an existing business to offer a franchise.

So much has already happened in May this year and as always it began with the May Day Bank Holiday. The origins of May Day can be traced back to the times of the Roman goddess Flora. According to legend, Flora was originally a nymph who was transformed into a goddess by the gods in recognition of her beauty and grace. She presided over the arrival of spring and the renewal and growth of flowers.

May 4th, jokingly called Star Wars Day, because of the slight change to a phrase in the film series ‘May the fourth be with you’. Interestingly the first film made and the fourth in the series was called ‘A New Hope’. May 6th saw the coronation of King Charles III – another new beginning for the royal line in the UK. So, taking these examples in to the franchise world; April saw one of the best franchise exhibitions for many years with visitors and exhibitors very happy with the event.

Prospects have already chosen their franchise and so they will now be embarking on new beginnings also. They will probably begin their induction, no doubt with an initial training course. It might follow with new premises or new equipment and new customers for them.

If they need finance to help the purchase there could be a new loan or a new overdraft facility.

At Azura we have signed up three new franchisors to our franchise management system, so new beginnings for those clients and for us, as we will need to develop three more customised systems.

Of course, taking the step in to a new era is not to be taken lightly and no doubt

50 Summer, 2023 | www.franchiseworld.co.uk

About the author Mark Scott started his career with NatWest, where he worked for 23 years in their franchise team, including heading it up. During his time with NatWest he worked with franchise networks at all stages of their development from new starts to long established international brands.

In 2021 he joined Azura, the first UK franchise management software company, where he is now Managing Director. It is part of the AIM listed Franchise Brands plc, which also owns Metro Rod, Chipsaway, Filta Group and Pirtek.

mark.scott@azura.co.uk www.azuragroup.com

whether it was one of our new clients or a new franchisee, a significant amount of research would have gone in to the decision.

For the franchisee they would have compared the business to others, spoken to existing franchisees, asked the franchisor plenty of probing questions, completed a business plan and had the agreement reviewed by a franchise specialist lawyer. Our new clients have also compared other systems, seen demonstrations and asked plenty of questions.

Whilst May is the start of new beginnings, the journey for franchisees and our customers will not stop there.

The franchisee business will grow from a small seedling to an established business that will hopefully fulfil all the ambitions of the franchisee. We will never stop customising our franchisor’s system, as no franchise model stays the same over the years. It will need to adapt to changing circumstances and therefore changes to the system are needed also.

As the month progresses it will be interesting to hear what other new beginnings there have been in the franchise industry. n

FOOD FRANCHISE

Pieminister’s growth and their ‘Little Acts of Pie-ness’ P

ieminister, the UK-based pie brand, has seen its 16th restaurant open on Westgate Street in Bath by franchisee Harry Roberts, who is already making plans for a second site.

Jon Simon, a co-founder of Pieminister, comments: “We are delighted to see the brand continuing to flourish and are excited for the future. At Pieminister we are committed to excellent service, sustainable and ethical sourcing, and of course creating our delicious range of award-winning pies. Bath Westgate Street is already off to a great start, and we look forward to spreading our love of great pies to even more cities across the UK.” Working with Seeds Consulting, Pieminister is planning to open over 100 locations, with the next franchise store currently scheduled this summer in Derby with an experienced multi-unit franchise partner.

Founded in 2003 in a home kitchen, Pieminister has grown its customer base from selling at markets and festival stalls to selling pies nationwide through various shops, pubs sites and its restaurants. The pie range features classics such as steak and kidney, chicken and mushroom, in addition to vegetarian and gluten-free pie options.

Pieminister says particular importance has always been placed on sustainability, reflected in their ‘Pie, Planet, and People goals’. These mission statements include supporting animal welfare, reducing their carbon footprint and waste, and ‘Little Acts of Pie-ness’ in donations to UK and global charities.

Matteo Frigeri, founder of Seeds Consulting, commented on working with the brand: “Pieminister have a very good business model where pies are made centrally, ensuring consistency and eliminating the need for premises with extraction and hours of labour every day to make the food.

“The product is not only great as part of a quintessentially British dining experience, but also travels well and can be consumed as a takeaway, ensuring its franchise stores can benefit from multiple revenue streams.

“Upfront investment is moderate so even if they employ a manager, franchisees can make a very good return. We are looking forward to our continued partnership.” n

To learn more

www.pieminister.co.uk

www.franchiseworld.co.uk | Summer, 2023 51

WINDSCREEN REPAIR FRANCHISE

Advertorial

A Kleerly successful franchise Meet Mike Cruz. Mike has been a franchisee with Optic-Kleer since 2012. He operates his franchise in Lincolnshire, in and around the areas of Boston, Spalding, Sleaford and Skegness.

Mike has had many years of experience repairing windscreens, as previously he worked for another windscreen repair company.

How did Mike hear about Optic-Kleer?

“I heard about Optic-Kleer, whilst working for another windscreen repair company. I knew David as one of my competitors. He approached me with an opportunity to start as a franchisee and I jumped at the opportunity to be with a better company.

“One of the biggest advantages with Optic-Kleer is that I got fantastic support, which I am still getting. This is totally different from the other company I worked for.

“I was taken through step-by-step from setting up my registered limited company to VAT registration.”

The training lasted for five days and Mike gathered all the knowledge, not only to carry out a professional repair but also how to run a successful business.

calling or leaflet drops. There are no pressure sales, you just wait for the customer to come to you. There is also the excellent Optic-Kleer website which lets customers know where franchisees are working.

Is previous experience essential?

Mike believes that you don’t really need any previous experience to become a franchisee, as Optic-Kleer give you that training; it’s always going to be useful to have good face-to-face communication skills and self-motivation is also important, because you are running your own business.

Is Optic-Kleer good value for money?

With Optic-Kleer you will have very low overheads, which is great when you are self-employed. The management fees are also very low and the software you will use to order the Optic-Kleer solutions is straightforward.

The other good thing about this franchise is that the stock you have to hold (consumables, canopy and signs) is minimal.

Who are your customers?

The way the Optic-Kleer franchise works is, the franchisee turns up at a supermarket and sets up their equipment.

Having a canopy, signs and a vehicle draws in the customers. There is no cold

Does Mike feel satisfied in his franchise?

“I have worked in this field before and obviously it is important to keep customers happy. I like to be professional and treat people how I would like to be treated. You are representing Optic-Kleer as well as your own business. I feel very satisfied in my work as people are very nice and it is rewarding to be appreciated after completing a successful repair.”

Is he excited about the future of Optic-Kleer?

“Yes, I am looking forward to the future with all the new developments coming along digitally, and I think it can only get better. After four years I have re-branded and bought a new van, ready for the next few years.”

If you can see yourself as an Optic-Kleer franchise owner get in touch with us today via email to: david@optic-kleer.co.uk; call: 07545-275137 or go to: www.franchise.optic-kleer.co.uk n

www.franchiseworld.co.uk | Summer, 2023 53

FOOD FRANCHISE

Tortilla Mexican Grill reports record annual sales and growth T

ortilla Mexican Grill, the UK fastcasual Mexican restaurant group, has achieved record annual sales for the period ending 1 January 2023 of £57.7m, an increase of 20% on the previous year.

The company also reports a year of record growth for the group with 18 sites added to its portfolio bringing the total number of sites during the period to 82.

Tortilla opened 10 company-owned stores during the period as it took advantage of the favourable property rental market.

54 Summer, 2023 | www.franchiseworld.co.uk

FOOD FRANCHISE

‘Our Tortilla mission is to offer customers freshly prepared authentic Californian-inspired Mexican food.’

Six franchised stores opened during the year, five in universities through its partnership with Compass Group, and one franchised site opened at Bristol airport with the SSP Group.

consistent food at competitive price points will always be the winners in our sector, and we are confident that we sit very comfortably in this space.

“We remain highly motivated and excited about Tortilla’s continued growth potential in the UK as well as our opportunities to build on our proven franchise operations to expand overseas.”

Tortilla said it strengthen its market position during the year by acquiring Chilango, with five of eight sites already converted to Tortilla branding. The company also expanded its offering with delivery partners such as Uber Eats, alongside new additional partnerships with delivery kitchens including Growth Kitchen and Karma Kitchen.

New sites for the first quarter of 2023 have opened in Derby and Greenwich in London, which the company reports are seeing encouraging early trading.

Further sites are in the pipeline this year including Belfast, Bracknell and Milton Keynes, as the brand targets 45 new sites in five years.

Richard Morris, chief executive officer of Tortilla, commented: “We have a

proven, great value, and highly popular customer proposition. More and more consumers are seeking out high-quality, healthy, customisable food at great value, and both of our brands – Tortilla and Chilango – sit at the heart of these exciting consumer trends.

“The beginning of 2023 has started well with like-for-like sales up 4% in the eights weeks to 26 February. We know that restaurants that offer great,

The Group was founded in 2007 by Brandon Stephens, from California, who arrived in London in 2003 to find a gap in the market for quality burritos and tacos. As a result, Stephens established Tortilla with a mission of offering customers freshly prepared authentic Californian-inspired Mexican food.

In addition to the company’s UK sites, Tortilla has eight franchised outlets in the Middle East. n

To learn more

www.tortillagroup.co.uk

www.franchiseworld.co.uk | Summer, 2023 55

CARE FRANCHISE

Could you be the next Sylvian Care franchisee?

Are you passionate about making a positive impact on people’s lives and seeking a rewarding business opportunity?

Join the Sylvian Care Franchise family and become a leader in the home care sector. ● Access to our proven business model

Sylvian Care is a well-established and rapidly growing home care provider with over 27 locations across the UK. Our unique relationship-centric approach to care, combined with our commitment to delivering exceptional services, sets us apart from the competition.

As a Sylvian Care franchisee, you'll benefit from: ● Comprehensive training and ongoing support to ensure your success.

and strategies. ● A strong and recognisable brand that

resonates with clients and their families. ● Exclusive marketing materials and resources to help you grow your business. ● Membership in the British Franchise Association, adhering to ethical standards in franchising. ● The pride of owning a business that makes a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

The Sylvian Care franchise is perfect for people who are: ● Passionate about improving the quality of life for the elderly. ● Strong communicators with excellent interpersonal skills. ● Motivated and driven to succeed in a growing industry. ● Committed to the Sylvian Care vision, mission, and values.

If you’re ready to take the first step towards owning a Sylvian Care Franchise and making a lasting impact in your community, visit our website: www.sylviancarefranchising.co.uk or contact us on: 0118 327 3232 or email: franchising@sylviancare.co.uk to learn more about this exciting opportunity. n

Advertorial

Franchisee testimonial Gabriela and Alina Moldovan - Sylvian Care Bracknell and Ascot

S

isters-in-law, Gabriela (left) and Alina Moldovan, share their journey as Sylvian Care franchisees, highlighting how their background in health and social care led them to this fulfilling opportunity.

Gabriela said: “Both Alina and I have experience in health and social care, along with management expertise. When we considered starting a business, we wanted one that would not only provide a stable income but also enable us to contribute positively to our local community, aligning with Sylvian Care’s mission to empower people to live life their way.

“Sylvian Care’s franchise model, with its domiciliary care services and strong earning potential, fulfilled both criteria.

As sisters-in-law, we were drawn to the fact that our franchisor was also a family-owned business, operated by a brother-sister duo. Silviu and Cristina, our franchisors, have been invaluable sources of knowledge and support whenever we needed assistance,

embodying the company’s values of integrity, compassion, and collaboration.

“The training we received was exceptional. While we both had prior care experience, we lacked the knowhow to establish a business, market our services, or navigate the dedicated operating systems. Sylvian Care guided us through each step and has always been available when we needed direction.”

Alina added: “Managing a domiciliary care business is challenging, but we can always rely on our franchisor for advice, as they have undoubtedly faced similar obstacles, staying true to Sylvian Care’s vision of a more connected and caring society.”

Gabriela concluded: “We eagerly anticipate a long-lasting relationship with Sylvian Care and look forward to expanding our existing territory.” n

www.franchiseworld.co.uk | Summer, 2023 57

FOOD FRANCHISE

Big Mannys’ Pizza to open first franchised store T

he first Big Mannys’ Pizza franchise is to open at Inverurie, Scotland by franchisees Murray Morrison and his son Glen, owners of the town’s highly-rated Garioch Fish Bar. Big Mannys’ Pizza was launched in 2020 by brothers Philip and Ashley Adams and Calum Wright at The Adam Lounge Bar & Kitchen in Aberdeen, to offer ‘NYC-style’ pizzas and sides.

The Morrisons’ Garioch Fish Bar, one of only six Scottish businesses to be listed

by Fry Magazine’s Top 50 Best UK Fish & Chip Shop Takeaways, has been remodelled to create a separate large area for collection and delivery of Big Mannys’ Pizza and will operate alongside their established takeaway.

The franchisees said they are looking to recruit at least seven members of staff both full and part-time for the pizza operation, following a six-figure investment for the site refurbishment and franchise agreement.

Murray, who has been involved in the takeaway sector for 25 years, said: “My son, Glen, brought Big Mannys’ Pizza to my attention. He told me how popular they were due to the quality of the product, and how they’ve built up a large following in a short period of time.

“We’re thrilled to be the first Big Mannys’ Pizza franchisees. It’s taken a wee while to get there as it’s the first

● Pictured from left: Philip Adams, Murray Morrison, Ashley Adams, Glen Morrison and Calum Wright.

franchise but it’s a great outcome for all parties. Many people here in Inverurie already know about Big Mannys’ Pizza and we think it’s going to be a real winner.”

The company said the expansion of the pizza brand started early last year when it opened a delivery and collection unit near Pittodrie Stadium, home of Aberdeen Football Club, at a time when award-winning Aberdeen accountant Simon Cowie, managing partner of Infinity Partnership (the accountancy and business advisory practice) came on board with an investment.

This was followed by Big Mannys’ Pizza reaching a licensed partnership agreement with Codona’s Amusement Park, to serve visitors at the beachfront attraction in Aberdeen.

‘Would we franchise?’

Philip, co-founder of Big Mannys’ Pizza, said: “We’ve been approached numerous times by people asking if we would consider franchising. It has always been part of our plan but we wanted to make sure we found the right fit.

“Murray and Glen knew all about us and what we’re trying to do, and their expertise and success in the takeaway food sector was hugely attractive to us.

The success of the relationship with

58 Summer, 2023 | www.franchiseworld.co.uk

Codona’s also gave us the confidence to move forward.

“We’re delighted to reach an agreement with Murray and Glen and we’re looking to rolling out the franchise model in other areas in the future. Any entrepreneurs, with access to hospitality expertise, are welcome to get in touch.”

Big Mannys’ Pizza says it has earmarked a future site for Peterhead and has collaborations with North-East businesses to deliver pizza to diners in various venues across the region, in addition to an agreement with H.M. Sheridan, a Royal-appointed butcher, who will prepare and supply chicken and other ingredients for the company.

Philip comments: “To work with such a prestigious local firm and enhance our products at the same time is hugely satisfying. We’re delighted to reach an agreement yet again with another North-East business.”

Big Mannys’ Pizza offers pizza in various sizes with traditional toppings including its special creations such as The BBQ Big Manny, Chicken Fajita Fiesta and The Hogfather. n

To learn more

info@bigmannyspizza.co.uk

THEATRE SCHOOL FRANCHISE

Two new franchisees take to the stage with Razzamataz T

he theatre school, Razzamataz, has welcomed two new franchisees with Kimisha Lewis opening in Coventry and Brittany Arthur (pictured above, second from left) taking the Lancaster territory.

Razzamataz said that both franchisees had received guidance and support from the company starting with their initial enquiry about becoming a franchisee through to attending training sessions with a team of experienced theatre school professionals.

Having really enjoyed the training from Razzamataz, Arthur said: “It gave me the confidence to believe that although I’ve never run a business before, I can do this with the support of the Razzamataz team. Throughout the training period and the ongoing support that we are offered, I’ve learnt that I can do things that I didn’t think I was capable of.”

Lewis comments: “The launch was buzzing with excitement, and we felt like a Razzamataz family from the minute our prospective students walked through

the door. We are so excited to bring Razzamataz to Coventry and share the curriculum, which is something new for the local community. After the launch I received so many lovely messages from parents saying how much they enjoyed the day.”

The Lancaster and Coventry schools are the first new schools to launch this year.

Further schools are scheduled for September in Billericay, Dorchester and Manchester, in addition to new franchisees for its schools in Derby and Sutton Coldfield.

Denise Hutton-Gosney, managing director and founder of Razzamataz, said: “We are very proud to be giving incredible opportunities for people to run a profitable business doing something that they are passionate about and working flexibly to fit their own schedules and lifestyles.

“Two of our new franchisees started out on their Razzamataz journey as students and have progressed via the teaching

route, while others have come to us via our nationwide branding and reputation.

“Every franchisee is trained to the same exacting standards to ensure their schools adhere to the excellent teaching quality and high customer service standard values that we are known for.”

Razzamataz says its model can work for people with different expectations and requirements. Although it is crucial to be passionate about performing arts, no previous arts experience is necessary. n

To learn more

www.razzamataz.co.uk

www.franchiseworld.co.uk | Summer, 2023 59

CLEANING FRANCHISE

CleanMyBed launches in the UK

leanMyBed, a deep cleaning service which removes allergy triggers from your mattresses and pillows, has arrived in the UK. Designed to improve sleep and wellbeing, the process is quick, dry and chemical-free, and rids your bed of dust mites, pollen, pet dander and every other allergy trigger.

The innovative service originated as a result of the necessity to find a solution to a debilitating family ailment. Charlie Wright, co-founder of CleanMyBed comments: “Our 7-year-old daughter woke every morning with itchy eyes and skin, a sore throat and a lack of decent sleep. This was having a profound effect on her daily life and her performance at school. After extensive research and medical advice we found a solution and just like that, the CleanMyBed service was born.”

How the service works The service involves a high grade HEPA13 vacuum device which removes dead skin cells, dust mites and their faecal matter encased within the mattress. The debris is retained and not moved back into the air – as is the case with domestic appliances.

This is followed by strategically positioned dosages of concentrated UVC light which kills microorganisms, including viruses, bacteria, pathogens and any remaining mites, and leaves mattress and pillows 99.99 per cent sanitised.

CleanMyBed has quickly become the tried and tested method to remove and alleviate allergy triggers from homes in South Africa. The service has been

awarded the Allergy Foundation of South Africa Seal of Approval and has also been launched in Norway and Switzerland.

Our first UK ambassador, Charlie Mitchell-Heggs, is leading the way in bringing our fantastic, new service into a new market.

“This treatment is especially important for families with young children.”

Charlie reports. “Not only do they tend to suffer the most from dust mite allergies, but those allergies can be a major trigger for them developing asthma, which I found out from my own experience. This is becoming a big problem in the UK, with around a quarter of all adults and children losing quality of life, a lot of which is down to this build-up in their beds.”

JOINING us in September 2022, Charlie’s journey with CleanMyBed is very similar to the one that led them to establish the franchise in the first place.

His young son suffered from undiagnosed allergies and asthma which continued to get worse as he grew older, eventually leading to a severe bout of pneumonia and hospitalisation.

Once he had recovered, Charlie and his wife began to look into the root causes with a comprehensive allergy test, and discovered dust mites were the number one problem. This, of course, led Charlie to look into ways to help his son, and it wasn’t long before he discovered CleanMyBed.

Charlie is set to experience a number of benefits as an early adopter of CleanMyBed in the UK, including being among the first to bring an exciting new product and service to market and playing a big role in helping us shape the future of the brand.

He is very strongly placed to take full advantage of the growing demand in the wellness market as both domestic and commercial customers begin to realise exactly how much our Ambassadors can do for them.

To book an appointment or enquire about franchise opportunities please complete the response form HERE or schedule a call with us HERE cleanmybedfranchise.co.uk. n

www.franchiseworld.co.uk | Summer, 2023 61

Advertorial

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ADVICE FOR FRANCHISORS

Could a franchise network accountant provide the cherry on the cake?

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By Jack Hayes, Franchisor Relationship Manager, d&t

iscovering the power of a franchise network accountant could be the cherry on top of your franchise business success. A franchise network accountant can unlock the full potential of your business and its franchisees, making it an absolute lifesaver for you, not to mention the peace of mind that comes with knowing your network is in safe hands.

As a franchisor, you understand the importance of a strong business model, brand development, and providing support and resources to franchisees.

However, keeping accurate financial records and ensuring compliance with tax laws can be daunting. This is where a franchise network accountant can be immensely helpful and provide a huge weight off your shoulders.

These experts specialise in providing financial advice and services to franchisors and franchisees. They offer valuable support in developing a solid business model, creating accurate financial records, ensure compliance with tax laws and regulations, strategic financial advice and help franchisees with financial matters – meaning as a franchisor, you can have your cake and eat it too. Here’s how:

Developing a solid business model Every cake needs a good base. One of the first things a franchise accountant can help you with is developing a solid business model. A franchise accountant has experience working with multiple franchises and can help you identify areas of your business that need improvement or refinement.

They can also help you create a budget and financial projections that will help

comply with all the requirements, avoiding costly penalties and fines – no burnt fingers.

you determine how much capital you need to start and run your franchise.

Creating accurate financial records A recipe for success: Keeping accurate financial records is essential for any business, but it’s especially important for franchisors who need to monitor their financial performance and track royalty payments from franchisees.

A franchise accountant can help you set up a system for tracking income and expenses, and can also assist with preparing financial statements, such as income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements.

Ensuring compliance with tax laws and regulations Tax laws and regulations can be complex and ever-changing, not to mention a million miles away from the ‘fun stuff’.

It can be difficult to keep up with all the requirements and deadlines, especially if you’re running a franchise business so why not leave it to the experts?

A franchise network accountant can help you navigate tax laws and regulations, ensuring that you and your franchisees

Providing strategic financial advice A franchise network accountant can provide valuable advice on financial matters, such as how to optimise your tax strategy, how to reduce expenses, and how to improve your cash flow.

They can also help you identify opportunities for growth and expansion, such as opening new franchises or expanding into new markets. When you put it that way, franchise network accountants are worth their weight in salt.

Helping franchisees with financial matters No one needs to tell you that franchisees are the lifeblood of your franchise business, and that it’s essential that they receive the support and resources they need to succeed, however, what some won’t realise is just how much support a franchise network accountant can offer franchisees, such as preparing financial statements, developing a budget, and managing cash flow. ➥

About the author Jack Hayes is Franchisor Relationship Manager at award-winning accountancy firm, d&t. d&t has worked with over 100 franchise networks and over 2000 franchisees. During his many years working within d&t, as a qualified accountant, he has worked with some very well-known household names within the franchise industry.

Paired with his current role, Hayes has the tools to help franchisors and franchisees alike. Alongside the variety of services that d&t has to offer, he has helped franchise brands across the UK and their networks to increase franchise efficiency through expert accountancy advice.

jack.hayes@team-dt.com www.team-dt.com

www.franchiseworld.co.uk | Summer, 2023 63

ADVICE FOR FRANCHISORS

NEWS

Choice Hotels signs strategic partnership with Borealis By providing this support to franchisees, you can help ensure that they remain profitable and successful, which in turn benefits your franchise business as a whole. It’s a win-win situation.

Offering peace of mind We all know that running a franchise business can be stressful at times, especially when it comes to financial matters. By working alongside a franchise accountant, you can have peace of mind knowing that your financial records are accurate, your taxes are compliant, and your franchise business is on solid financial footing.

This can help you focus on other aspects of your business, such as developing new products or services or expanding your brand.

The final flourish In conclusion, working alongside a franchise accountant can be an incredibly powerful tool for franchisors.

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hoice Hotels EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) and Borealis Hotel Group, the European hospitality company, have announced a strategic partnership agreement to expand their European portfolios.

The agreement gives Borealis the opportunity to franchise upscale and midscale hotels from Choice Hotels EMEA portfolio of brands across the territories that Borealis currently operates, including Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Spain and The Netherlands, in addition to further European countries.

‘Growing our franchised portfolio’

By providing financial advice and services, a franchise accountant can help you develop a solid business model, create accurate financial records, ensure compliance with tax laws and regulations, provide strategic financial advice, help franchisees with financial matters, and offer peace of mind.

Jonathan Mills, chief executive of Choice Hotels EMEA, commenting on the new partnership, said: “Growing our portfolio of franchised hotels, so travellers have more options to choose from when travelling across Europe, is a significant focus for us and this new agreement further enables us to continue growing in markets where we already have a presence and potentially enter new ones.

If you’re a franchisor looking to grow and succeed, consider partnering with a franchise accountant like d&t to help you achieve your goals. Never underestimate how much value a franchise network accountant like d&t can add. It could be the cherry on your cake. n

“Building on Choice Hotels’ 80-year global legacy, the agreement will also see Borealis benefit from our commitment to enhancing performance exclusively for franchisees. Our newly refreshed brands and their brand hallmarks are designed to offer an

64 Summer, 2023 | www.franchiseworld.co.uk

exceptional guest experience, while supporting short-term revenues and driving long-term equity gains for the Choice Hotels EMEA portfolio.”

Bart Van de Kamp, chief executive of Borealis Hotel Group, said: “Our strategy is to accelerate our growth as a European hospitality company, based on strong relationships and partnerships with international hotel brands and other partners. We are therefore very pleased to have been able to add another international hotel brand as a franchisor with its own newly refreshed concept, to our highly valued group of partners.”

Borealis’ current portfolio of hotels operating across seven European countries are all internationally branded with chains such as Accor, Hilton, IHG and Marriott.

Choice Hotels EMEA operates five brands across the region. Part of Choice Hotels International Inc. who refers to itself as one of the largest lodging franchisors in the world, has 22 brands in total across 45 countries and territories.

Alongside this milestone agreement with Borealis, Choice Hotels EMEA adds that it is actively looking for more midscale and upscale hotels to join its fastgrowing portfolio. n

To learn more

www.choicehotelsdevelopment.com

ADVICE FOR FRANCHISORS

Not just a logo: the importance of branding for franchise businesses

By Chelsea Smith, Content Writer, Mayfly Internet Marketing

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hat springs to mind when you hear the term ‘Brand’? No doubt you imagine a logo slapped onto every card, letterhead, social media platform and t-shirt. But branding is much more than just a logo.

There are many ways to describe the term branding, but in my eyes, it’s a symbiotic relationship with your target audience. It’s a spark. A connection.

When you’re having a free-flowing conversation with your audience, about a problem they have, that you can solve; that is branding.

Branding should be integrated into everything you do, from your tone of voice and messaging, to design and appearance, to customer service and much more. By positioning your product or service as the solution to an issue your audience consistently struggles with, you can keep your brand at the forefront of their mind.

for every order”. There are tons of ways to share your ethos within the brand without explicitly saying “We care about the environment”, for example.

These types of core values should be in line with your target audience, and the solution you’re bringing to the table. You need to place your demographic at the centre of your business, taking on their values and portraying them through the business.

Another example may be outdoor adventures, you may train your franchisees to offer the same exhilarating experience across the country. But your values should shine through when it comes to safety first messaging, durable gear and an ethos to clean up behind you, leaving nothing but memories.

You wouldn’t position yourselves as the affordable option when there are lots of hidden charges, so don’t waste your time with core values that don’t align with your audience.

This is particularly important when it comes to franchising your business. If you have a foolproof solution to one of your demographic’s pain points, then serving that answer on a larger scale can help you grow and develop as a franchisor.

Now this isn’t as serious as it sounds.

There are no Disclosure and Barring Service checks or family history lookins. But when it comes to franchisees,

Here, I’ll run through some of the decisions you can make to develop your brand.

About the author

Core values Every business model has its core values. But when it comes to branding, these core values should shine through.

From the way you describe your products, “sustainable”, “eco-friendly” and “environmentally conscious” to the promotions you make, “we plant a tree

Vetting your franchisees

the people advocating for your business should be totally aligned with your core values.

We Love Pets owners, Jo and Ryan, put this eloquently in their interview with The Franchise Marketing Show where they mentioned their core values are “family, fun and animal welfare.” It’s not “we kind of like pets”, because “it doesn’t have the same ring”. Any person looking to become a franchisee must love pets and have this exact mindset.

When you have leads entering your inbox on a monthly basis with an attitude to simply make money, and they don’t actually align with your brand’s core values, then it’s not going to work.

Choosing the right people to join your franchise network is one of the most important ways to stay consistent with your branding. And it doesn’t even cost a penny.

Finding your voice This step can be made so much easier when you understand your core values.

You may have perfected your product or become a master of your service, but when franchisees come into play, it’s a whole different ball game. Much like employees, when you allow franchisees

Chelsea Smith is a Creative Writing graduate and Content Writer for Mayfly Internet Marketing. She has written for a wide range of companies from small businesses, to nationwide enterprises and has worked for marketing firms spanning Liverpool, Cheshire, and the wider Merseyside area.

Throughout her freelance and agency work, Smith has built knowledge in content marketing, copywriting, branding and SEO. Her role at Mayfly encompasses all things wordy, from captivating blog pieces to optimised product descriptions.

chelsea.smith@may-fly.co.uk www.may-fly.co.uk

www.franchiseworld.co.uk | Summer, 2023 65

FRANCHISE MARKETING MADE EASY

SOCIALS

PPC

SEO

GET ENGAGEMENT. GET CLICKS. GET SEEN. Mayfly Internet Marketing is the go-to marketing expert for franchisors.

If you’re looking for memorable social media strategies, paid ads that convert and search engine optimisation that get you ahead of the competition.

COMPANIES WHO TRUST MAYFLY:

Book a free consultation today.

Grow your franchise today with Mayfly Internet Marketing 0151 254 1727 MAY-FLY.CO.UK

ADVICE FOR FRANCHISORS to represent and advocate your business model, it’s important to stay on brand.

As previously discussed, this does not mean simply slapping a logo on a cap and away you go. No, you’ll want to train your franchisees on the core messaging behind the business itself, and even choose your franchisees carefully to ensure they align with your brand.

A simple way to keep your tone of voice consistent is by offering brand documents upon onboarding. There may be some terminology you’d wish to stick to or avoid saying, a specific way to describe your service or product, or a characteristic which has propelled your brand so far.

Keeping in line with this way of speaking to your end users means that the conversation between your brand and customer is always on point. No matter what touchpoint they’re at. So, whether they’re enquiring about a promotion, receiving your service, or leaving a review, every step is an authentic representation of the whole brand.

Community presence As the digital world evolves, and social media becomes much more than chatting

with your friends online, so should access to your brand. A franchise with a community built upon the foundation of your service or product is well-equipped to grow nationally and internationally more than those without.

Think about your demographic. What do your end users do on a daily basis? What are their similar interests? Gym-goers may also be outdoor enthusiasts and pet owners might also care for the environment. By creating spaces that speak to these interests, you can not only engage with your customers on a more personal level but also leverage the brand into adjacent niches.

Think about community projects, Discord Servers, maybe your own app, and places where your demographic already spends their time. Reaching out and asking for help to improve your product or service in a space where your customers already exist is the perfect way to build on your company and create advocates in the making.

Become the conversation Branding is not just about what your company looks like. Sure, logos, font and colour palettes are integral to your design package, but consistency is key

“

When you have leads entering your inbox on a monthly basis with an attitude to simply make money, and they don’t actually align with your brand’s core values, then it’s not going to work. Choosing the right people to join your franchise network is one of the most important ways to stay consistent with your branding.

And it doesn’t even cost a penny.

past just your appearance. Your company should embody the brand.

The tone of voice should be consistent across the board, from ad copy to blog posts, to the way your franchisees represent themselves. If you stay consistent with the messaging you put across, the values you keep and the people who represent your brand, your franchise is set to grow even further than you may think.

Keep the conversations going. Talk to your end users about what it is they love.

And exist in the spaces where your customers spend their time. I have no doubt that a memorable brand, with strong messaging and clear core values will become the first port of call when your customers need you most. n

Sushi Shop secures first UK franchisee

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hristie & Co, the business property adviser, reports that it has secured the first UK franchisee for Sushi Shop, on behalf of AmRest, its parent company.

AmRest, a European multi-brand restaurant operator based in Madrid, Spain, currently has four Sushi Shops in London, in addition to two outlets in Brighton and Richmond. Its first franchisee has launched in Clapham and plans to open further cafés in the London area.

Sushi Shop says its leading chain of restaurants offer premium sushi, sashimi and other Japanese specialties and is an established international network with

company-operated and franchised stores across nine countries.

Predominantly a delivery and take-away concept, the company has seen its sushi offering being remarkably resilient throughout the last three years and is looking to build on this success by expanding in key regional UK cities.

Christie & Co. is seeking further ambitious hospitality operators who would be interested in becoming a multi-site franchisee. New Sushi Shop partners will have the opportunity to open cafés across the UK, and with a sushi menu offering only a few hot food options, stores can operate in retail A1 spaces in most cases.

Simon Chaplin, senior director – Pubs, Restaurants & Franchise for the hospitality team at Christie & Co, commented: “We are delighted to have secured a new franchisee for AmRest, to help expand the Sushi Shop brand across the UK, and look forward to securing additional partners in 2023.”

Founded over 20 years ago, Sushi Shop was acquired by AmRest in 2018 and has outlets across Europe, as well as United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. n

To learn more

simon.chaplin@christie.com

www.franchiseworld.co.uk | Summer, 2023 67

NEW TO FRANCHISING?

Q&A to put you on the right track to buying a franchise

By Nick Riding, Editor, Franchise World magazine

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his Q&A seeks to address the fundamental issues of franchising for the beginner.

Q What is franchising?

It is simply a system for marketing goods/services that is not unlike dealerships, agencies or concessions.

The franchisor sells you, the franchisee, the rights to set up your own local branch, or cluster of branches, to market the company’s goods/services.

Q Would the company not be better off owning its own branches?

Yes, in terms of operating profits, but it would have to find the money to set them up, whereas it is the franchisee who funds the branches, usually through bank loans.

The other big advantage to the franchisor is that it can expect that, as you have invested your own money, you will be more motivated and committed over the long-term to make the business successful than an employee.

Q What is it going to cost me?

This, of course, depends on the franchise. A business that you can run from home, for example, will obviously cost a lot less to set-up than one that needs premises, particularly in the high street.

You pay an initial fee to cover your training, and the rights to use the brand and the business system for the period of the franchise contract.

Also you will pay regular ongoing fees, a fixed fee, or based on a percentage of your turnover, or a mark-up on the goods that you are obliged to buy from your franchisor. There may also be an advertising/marketing levy, again based on a fixed fee or turnover.

Q Will the initial fee be higher for the larger, ‘better known’ franchises?

Not necessarily. The franchisor shouldn’t be setting out to make a profit from the initial fee, but from the ongoing fees.

This is one of the important principles of the franchise system because it creates the incentive for the franchisor to help you build your business and continue to develop it. Putting it simply, in order for the franchisor to succeed, you must first succeed.

Q What is likely to be the scale of my profits?

This will, of course, depend on the franchise you choose, the territory or location you buy, and particularly how hard you work.

The latter is critical. Franchising is not about investing money, sitting back and spending the profits. Launching and developing a new business, even with the back-up of a competent franchisor, is hard work.

Franchisors are seldom looking for what are known as ‘absentee investors’. They need hard-working, fully-committed franchisees.

The question can best be answered by looking at the franchisor’s projections for the business and asking current franchisees whether they found them to be realistic.

If the figures are impressive and you are prepared to work equally as hard as the franchisees you have met, you should be able to look forward to similar profits.

After all, you will have had the same training and help that they did so on that basis, given your location offers similar potential to theirs, whether you succeed or not at the end of the day is down to you.

68 Summer, 2023 | www.franchiseworld.co.uk

Q Would it be better for me to go it alone in a conventional business and not have regular fees to pay?

You would miss the many benefits of being a franchisee, such as training, the use of the franchisor’s proven business system and branded, marketing and ongoing development.

You would also face much less risk than you would if you were starting out on your own, particularly in a type of business in which you had no knowledge or experience.

With a franchise you have all the help you need to set-up your own branch of a business in which success has been demonstrated by its existing franchisees.

Speak to them, and ask their opinion of aspects such as the standard of their initial training, the accuracy of the franchisor’s financial forecasts (income, outgoings, etc.) and the level of ongoing support they receive.

Q Which franchise should I buy?

This is the big question only you can answer. It’s rather like asking what house or car should you buy? As with them, it depends on your personal situation, preferences and available finance.

What can you afford? What are your personal aptitudes and working background? What would you really like to do for the rest of your career? Would the business need the support and participation of your family? Would the franchise be profitable enough to support your lifestyle? Would it meet your work/lifestyle balance aspirations?

Before looking at these questions indepth, you need to ask yourself whether you are, in fact, suited for selfemployment, and whether you would be

NEW TO FRANCHISING? prepared to run the business according to the franchisor’s rules.

You will at the end of the day own your own business, but you must accept the fact that you are not entirely your own boss as you must run it according to the franchisor’s system.

This is necessary to maintain the quality and integrity of the whole network. After all, you are buying into the system not just to benefit from the brand but also its proven business system so why try to change it?

Q I often see franchisees described as franchise owners. Is this true?

No, it’s misleading. It is the franchisor who is the franchise owner.

Certainly, the franchisee owns his business, but it is only able to trade in a particular franchise under a contract with the franchisor for a stipulated period, usually with the option to renew for a further term.

It is only by owning the business that the franchisor can be in the position to police the network and ensure that each franchisee maintains the brand’s standards and reputation.

This issue was made clear by one of the UK’s earliest and most successful franchisors who preferred to call the system ‘business leasing’, as it is a process in which the franchisee ‘leases’ the franchisor’s brand and businessformat for a contracted period.

Q Might the necessity to strictly follow the franchisor’s formula make the business insufficiently challenging?

This question is often overlooked. Some franchisees are, of course, more ambitious than others. There are those who are looking mainly for a comfortable work/life balance, rather than making large profits.

However, franchising does offer the ambitious the opportunity to become a multi-unit franchisee with a significant regional chain of outlets.

If you are highly ambitious, negotiate with your prospective franchisor at the buying stage to include in the agreement

an option on extra territories/sites. Some franchisors particularly welcome franchisees who have aspirations to open a number of outlets and are particularly looking for candidates with the ambition to become multi-unit franchisees.

The benefits for the franchisor is that it doesn’t have to face the costs of recruiting and training the ambitious franchisee and, most importantly, knows that he is successful in the business. You suit them, and they suit you. Also financing extra units is easier as it can come from the profits of the earlier branches.

True entrepreneurs are, however, unlikely to be fulfilled in conforming to what they increasingly see as restraints imposed by the franchisor and they may, in fact, be better suited to starting a conventional business from scratch and go on to develop it as a franchise system.

Q What does the phrase, comfort zone mean in the context of franchising?

It describes the stage at which the franchisee’s business has become so profitable that he chooses not to develop it further. He has reached his ambition and is happy with his work/life balance.

This causes two problems for the franchisor. Firstly, it puts a cap on the future royalties it receives from taking a percentage of the franchisee’s turnover.

Secondly, it gives competitors the opportunity to capture a greater share of the market.

This situation is not easy for the franchisor to overcome. It can offer incentives, such as a reducing sliding scale of royalties for higher turnovers and persuading the franchisee to sell back part of his area to create an extra territory for a new franchisee.

Ultimately, however, the franchisor may have to try and entice the franchisee to sell by offering to buy him out at an inflated price.

Q What are master and regional franchises?

A master franchise covers the whole of a country and a regional franchise, an individual region of the country. Such

franchisees act similarly to a franchisor in respect to recruitment and control.

In return, they pay a percentage of their income from initial and ongoing service fees from their franchisees to the parent franchisor. The latter usually imposes a development target on the number of franchisees recruited over specific periods to ensure the holder develops the system.

Franchisors sell such franchises, rather than franchising directly, to avoid the cost and risk of piloting and developing their system in a country in which they have no experience of the market or culture.

They usually hedge their bet by including in the agreement a buy-back option that they can exercise after a period of time if the franchise proves successful.

It is not unknown for a wealthy U.S. franchisee to take a master franchise for a foreign country in the system in which he has made his wealth. This is an example of the more unusual entrepreneurial opportunities within franchising.

Q Are there any franchise laws to protect franchisees?

No, there are no laws in the UK specifically addressed to franchising, as there are in many countries, but the system is, of course, subject to commercial law.

The relatively few cases that have reached the courts have usually been brought by franchisees for misrepresentation. Has the franchisor misrepresented the profits the franchisee could expect? Has the forecast for the sales figures been exaggerated or the setting-up costs reduced?

Q If there are things in the franchise contract I don’t like, can I change them?

No, not in a well-run franchise. The contract sets out the rules under which the business has to be operated and, like the rules of a game, they must be followed to the letter.

The quality and reputation of the system

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NEW TO FRANCHISING? will depend on its standardised business formula which is spelt out in the contract and the operating manuals you must follow.

If franchisees were allowed to make their own changes, standards would differ from outlet to outlet; the franchisor would lose control; and customers would not get the same service across the network.

As a result, the quality of the franchise and its brand would decline, and along with them the resale value of your business, when it comes to the stage you want to sell and make a substantial capital gain.

The franchisor’s refusal to make changes is an indication of the strength of its system. Conversely, if it allows changes to its formula it is a sign of weakness and often its desperation to recruit franchisees. One of the most essential ‘jobs’ of the franchisor is to police its network effectively.

Q If I can’t change the contract, do I need a solicitor?

Yes, the contract is complex and you need a solicitor specialising in franchising to explain it to you. It should set out in detail what the franchisor is going to do for you and what you will have to do in return. All this needs to be spelt out in the contract and, as it will govern how you run your business, you will need to understand it to the letter.

As the franchisor has to protect its interests and those of the network even beyond the point at which you may have left the franchise, the contract can still control the options available to you after the two of you have parted. A franchisee can’t take the sign down and continue trading as before but under a different name.

After all, it provided your training and its business system. It wouldn’t like you to become a competitor and will, therefore, want to resell your territory to a new franchisee. n

If you have a question, email nick@franchiseworld.co.uk

FOOD FRANCHISE

Burger & Sauce signs five new franchisees B

urger & Sauce has signed five new franchisees to open restaurants in the Midlands, with further sites scheduled for Liverpool and Sheffield by the end of the year.

Anthony Round, franchise director of Burger & Sauce said: “Burger & Sauce continues to expand and we are delighted to welcome five new franchisees who are on board to support our mission to bring our fresh, tasty burgers to more customers around the Midlands and now further north.

“As a franchisor, we will provide full training in how to deliver our awardwinning, fresh and simple burger concept, plus provide help with site sourcing, full fit-out of stores and marketing.”

The quick service restaurant brand was founded by Saad Masood in 2020 during the pandemic. The first restaurant quickly became popular with customers and turned over £1.5m in its first year, said Burger & Sauce.

Currently the company has 11 sites across various UK locations in Derby, Leicester, Nottingham, Sutton Coldfield, Walsall, West Bromwich; and in Birmingham at Alum Rock, Bearwood Road, Castle Vale, Kings Heath and The Bull Ring.

This is just the beginning enthuses Round: “We have experienced huge

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demand for our product and are now welcoming applications from more franchisees who have a passion for great fast food. Franchisees need to be committed and we will do everything we can to support the best candidates to grow a successful Burger & Sauce franchised business.”

Burger & Sauce adds that it currently has some exclusive territories available around two hours drive from Birmingham. The company offers a 10-year franchise licence for £15,000 plus store, fit-out costs and associated fees. Multi-site development licences are also available for approved franchisees.

The Burger & Sauce brand is built upon two fundamental foundations: Fresh and Simple. Its burgers are freshly handmade in store with options of original, club range or limited range with choices such as Angus Beef Stack and The Fiery Legend; and all accompanied with one of its three signature sauce Classic Homemade, Signature Sauce and Smokin’ Hot BBQ sauce. Various side dishes include Mexican Nachos, chicken wings and chilli cheese bites.

Burger & Sauce were the regional winners for the Midlands and East Anglia in the 2022 Uber Eats Restaurant of the Year Awards. n

To learn more

www.burgerandsauce.com/franchise

EWIB 2023 Empowering Women in Business

Book your ticket today! 27th September 2023 Reading, RG2 0FL EWIB is back for 2023! An event for female business owners, entrepreneurs, franchisors and franchisees who want to network with like-minded women. With the promise of fantastic speakers and interactive sessions, you’ll be sure to leave with a wealth of valuable takeaways. Tickets on sale now at www.thebfa.org.

EWIB 2023 proudly sponsored by: McDonald’s Restaurants, Platinum Wave Franchising & The Franchising Centre

TheBritish&International FranchiseExhibition

9 & 10 June 2023 | Olympia London

TheNational FranchiseExhibition 6 & 7 October 2023 | NEC, Birmingham

E ective f nchisee recruitment.

For more information, contact:

020 8394 5207 | f nchise@vmgl.com

Exclusively suppo ed by: