FRANCHISE Franchise news
Franchise NEWS Franchisor of the Year 2014 winners revealed
Staffordshire-based AutoSmart walk away with two gongs at bfa awards
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he 25th anniversary of the Franchisor of the Year Awards, held at Heythrop Park, certainly didn’t disappoint, as vehicle cleaning products provider, AutoSmart walked away with the top award. It is the third time in six years that it has won Franchisor of the Year, and the company impressed judges by continuing to break its own sales record, and maintaining the highest franchising standards, despite a
challenging market. It also achieved the Franchisee Recruitment award. Other winners on the night included home care provider, Right at Home, which scooped the Emerging Franchisor of the Year accolade, Chemex, which gained the Award for Innovation, and Kumon, snatching up the award for best brand. Brian Smart, director general of the bfa, commented: “This year’s entries continued a fine tradition by showcasing an overwhelming level of commitment, drive and diversity. Seeing franchisors from such a diverse range of sectors come together to celebrate their achievements is inspirational.” Finally, Pirtek took the award for International Achievement for its devotion to its international markets, which included senior staff learning new languages to immerse themselves in local culture. Contact: www.thebfa.org
A cut above the rest Former hairstylist, Scott Blyth becomes latest etyres franchisee
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obile tyre fitting franchise, etyres has signed up its latest franchisee to run the Edinburgh operation - a former hairdresser with 20 years’ experience fraying fringes rather than fitting tyres. “After 20 years, my heart just wasn’t in hairdressing any more, and I am not someone who wants to spend my days doing a job I’m not excited about, or keen to push to a new level. A drastic change of career was needed,” said Scott. “I could see almost immediately that etyres had great
potential as a local business, and that it was a business I would enjoy being part of.” Launched in 1999, etyres claims to be the UK’s first online tyre franchise and specialises in mobile tyre fitting, with 52 territories across the country. Contact: www.etyresfranchise .co.uk/blog
One in four
...dreams of owning own business Good news for franchisors following the latest Big Issues for Small Businesses report
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ccording to a survey carried out by Lloyds Bank Insurance, one in four employees hopes to some day own their own business. 83% of the 2,001 people asked believe that they would be more motivated, and 79% feel they would have greater job satisfaction if they were running their own business. The most common reasons for wanting to go it alone include having more control over worklife balance (51%), taking on a new challenge (46%) and making more money (41%). Yet a fear of risk taking is preventing 33% from breaking out and going it alone. This will be great news to franchisors as the franchising model whereby a lot of the risk is taken away through a recognised brand and support network - means these people are prime candidates to become franchisees. Contact: www.lloydsbankinggroup.com
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