Franchise Owner Stories

Franchise owners reveal what it is like to really own a franchise business

Snack in the Box: People are continuing to buy in the recession

FRANCHISE OWNER DIARY: Diane & David Vale, Cardiff

The Financial Management Centre UK: Paul Dawson, Southend-on-Sea

I am ahead of my targets

Canas Y Tapas: Parvez Bhatty, Leicester franchisee

Paralympics prove having a disability is no barrier to achieving success

Whether top athletes competing in the Paralympics or a franchise owner running a successful franchised business, those with disabilities are achieving their ambitions

Riverford Organic Vegetables Ltd: Off to a Flying Start...

"The business has grown at lightning speed,"exclaims Rob Smith, who turned down a promotion to a senior management position to invest in a Riverford Organic Vegetables franchise. From a flying start with 116 customers, secured via leaflet drops and local media coverage, Rob and his wife Rachel have grown the business to 2,300 active customers in just 16 months.

Safeclean: Nigel Lawrence, Safeclean

Mortgageforce: Nicholas Young Mortgage Force, Bradford

I should have done this sooner!

Snack in the Box: My turnover last year was £100,000

Venture Photography: My peers saw me as the boss's daughter

Angie Baynes, Venture Portraits, York and Hull

Snack in the Box: My income is better than when I was working at the bank

FRANCHISE OWNER DIARY: Dale Panter, Kent

Snack in the Box: My franchise has given me control of my life

David Bullough, East Kent

Kids Bee Happy: Mother and daughter team build a successful Kids Bee Happy franchise

Molly Maid: Michelle Jarvis, Molly Maid, Sutton Coldfield & Lichfie

"I have been rewarded with two all-expenses paid holidays!"

Card Connection: Meet Card Connection franchisee Latif Twigeri

Latif Twigeri must be one of Card Connection's most qualified franchisees. He holds a degree from the United States International Europe University and an MBA from Boston University's London branch. However, Latif admits:

Sports Xtra: Matthew scores his dream life

Matthew Burns became a Sports Xtra franchise owner in 2010, which enabled him to get out from behind the desk and make money while enjoying a more active lifestyle

Bairstow Eves Franchising: Mark Hodgson and Brian Campbell, Bairstow Eves.

Mark Hodgson and Brian Campbell, the franchisees behind a number of Bairstow Eves branches in northwest England, came into estate agency from backgrounds in management consultancy and banking, respectively.

Certax Accounting: Mark Brown, South Leicestershire

The diversity of the job keeps me focused

Venture Photography: Lori Monaghan, Venture Portraits, Tunbridge Wells

"I have enjoyed a better lifestyle and income"

Snack in the Box: Lisa Bolton & Kevin Bewick, SITB, North East

Starbrite Chemicals Ltd: Laying the Foundations...

Starbrite franchisee Richard Law is laying the foundations for a highly successful chemical distribution business in Cornwall. Since 1st April he has secured 120 customers from diverse businesses, including a 100-room hotel and a country pub.

Snack in the Box: Kevin Lawson, Chester & Wirral

SNACK-in-the-box has given me a new zest for life

Snack in the Box: Kevin Bewick & Lisa Bolton, North East

SITB has improved the quality of our life

Snack in the Box: Kashif Sheikh, Edinburgh

Prokill: Justin Holloway, Prokill, Swindon

Prokill is a recession-proof investment

Platinum Property Partners: Judy Mizen, Basingstoke

Although I've always been interested in property, my previous career was as a physiotherapist and, more recently, housewife and mum. I'd not considered franchising until I met Platinum Property Partners co-Founder Steve Bolton at an overseas home exhibition, and heard him talk about this completely unique new franchise opportunity.

Look Local: Josh Carter, Look Local (Leeds North)

"My aim is to have two directories up and running by the end of my first year generating a combined monthly turnover of £3,000."

NBC Bird & Pest Solutions: James Holliday, NBC Bird and Pest Solution

By investing in NBC Bird and Pest Solutions, franchise owner James Holliday has been able to combine operating a profitable, recession-proof business with his interest in birds of prey.

TaxAssist Accountants: Jackie Bligh, TaxAssist, Torquay

I spent 15 years working as an accountant in multi-nationals and was becoming increasingly disillusioned with the ever-increasing workloads and the headcount slashing mentality.

TaxAssist Accountants: International finance specialist homes in on Surbiton

After many years enjoying a career that took him around the world, Bruce Burrowes decided the time had come for him to finally put down his roots – as a TaxAssist franchise owner in Surbiton

Energie Personal Fitness: Imran Ilahi, St Johns Wood, North London

Launching: September 2008

Stenders: Ieva Kellere, Hungary

Before I became a Stenders franchisee I worked as a Bar & Restaurant Manager at Reval hotel in Latvia and was a regular customer of Stenders. I did not intend to invest in a franchise initially. At the time I was moving to Hungary with my fiancé and was looking for a business venture that had connections with both Latvia and Hungary.

Orange: Iain Humphrey, Orange

Franchise Owner's story

Snack in the Box: I love the fact that the profit is all mine

Snack in the Box: I love the fact that I am my own boss

Andy Smith, Cheshire & Manchester

Snack in the Box: I am turning over £5,000 a week

Hunters Property Group: Hunters franchise owner is off to a flying start

Rainbow International: High Hopes...

After setting up and running a logistics business in South Africa for five years, Peter and Anna Wyss decided to resettle in the UK. As a completely new start, the couple thought about becoming employed again but as Peter admits: "After working for yourself for a few years it would be quite difficult to work for a boss again!"

Dream Doors: Helen Mahon Dream Doors, Norwich

The flexibility means I can see more of my children

etyres: Hard work is rewarded

Lawnscience: Grow a successful business with Lawnscience

Belvoir Lettings: Graham Watts, Belvoir, North London.

For the last 10 years I'd been a landlord, managing my own properties, and found that this wasn't really compatible with working full-time as an IT manager. The logical step to me was to start looking for a way to concentrate my efforts in the property market.

Pentagon: Graham Swann, EuroDebt, West Yorkshire

"Helping people get out of financial difficulty is immensely satisfying"

Dream Doors: Glyn and Allan James, Dream Doors, Staffordshire

"We love receiving positive feedback from our customers"

Granite Transformations (Europe): Gavin Whitaker, Tunbridge Wells and Sidcup

Card Connection: Gabriel McGeown, Card Connection, Armagh and South Tyro

Charisnack: Freedom in Franchising...The benefits

More flexible working hours and greater free time to spend with the family, financial and personal rewards, and the freedom to make his own decisions appealed to ex-teacher Spenser Lees.

Auntie Anne's: Franchise owner focus

Andy Litherland, Newcastle

Ayton Global Reseach : Frances O'Connor, London

"I'enjoy the constant challenge of providing relevant research"

Expense Reduction Analysts: Four years of continued growth

Attiva Franchising: Former retail manager opens first Attiva club in Andove

Attiva, one of the UK's fastest growing health and fitness franchises, is pleased to announce the opening of a new club in Andover. Former retail manager and fitness enthusiast Andrew White and his wife Helen will open the doors to the gym in the Andover town centre on 9 June 2007.

Certax Accounting: Finding My Franchise...

How I researched the opportunities available.

Look Local: Father and son expand Look Local franchise

Look Local franchise owners Ray Bessell and his son Greg have been able to expand their business after transferring to the new Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and Accountancy system which was launched by the advertising directory network last summer.

TaxAssist Accountants: Even greater things in store for friends

Well Polished: Euan Taylor, Well Polished

Dream Doors: Dream Doors Franchisee Polly Smalley

I bought a copy of The Franchise Magazine after a friend recommended that my husband Toby and I look into franchising. It kept falling open on the Dream Doors page so we contacted them for more information and arranged to meet them at the franchise exhibition in Birmingham.

Baskin-Robbins: Dinesh Patel, Baskin Robbins

Molly Maid: Derek Ward, Molly Maid, York and Harrogate

I'm really very happy with Molly Maid, it's the best thing I've ever done. After being employed for 30 years, I wanted to work for myself but I wanted the support of a franchise and the security of a proven business.

Molly Maid: Denise Walker & Lorna James, Berwick-on-Tweed

It is a great feeling to know we are making a difference in the community

Certax Accounting: David Nicoll, Certax, Daventry

I had spent 10 years working in London when I decided that I had had enough of the long daily commute. I looked at my opportunities and decided that I would go for it and work for myself.

Safeclean: Customers are ringing because I use organic products

Richard Vaal, Safeclean

Belvoir Lettings: Cousins achieve award-winning standards

Cash Generator: Couple go from farming to franchising

Platinum Property Partners: Couple find their perfect work/life balance

Simon and Rebecca Waterfield discovered that every cloud really does have a silver lining when an accident led to their discovery of the Platinum Property Partners franchise opportunity

Well Polished: Couple find their ideal work/life balance with Well Polished

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