March 2007

Belvoir Lettings: Belvoir Lettings CEO appointed to bfa board

Belvoir Lettings

Mike Goddard, Chairman and Chief Executive of the specialist lettings franchise Belvoir Lettings, has been appointed to the board of the British Franchise Association (bfa).

Bluebird Care Franchises Ltd: Bluebird Care strengthens support

Bluebird Care

The burgeoning Bluebird Care network has appointed Karen Rubra as Care Manager to support its fast growing network of franchised domiciliary care businesses across the UK. Karen, who brings a wealth of experience to the post, has been with the company for some time but has been promoted to enable more management time to be spent supporting and developing franchisees.

Signs Express: New appointment at Signs Express

Leading signs and graphics franchise Signs Express has appointed Rebecca Dack to the position of Marketing & PR Manager. Leading the marketing team at the head office in Norwich, Rebecca's remit will include franchise recruitment marketing activity and franchisee support.

TaxAssist Accountants: More shop front offices open for TaxAssist Accountants

TaxAssist Accountants

TaxAssist Accountants Alasdair MacLean and Wayne Strickland, who opened their first shop front style office in September 2005 in Dalkeith, have opened a second location in Leith, near Edinburgh

Venture Marketing Group: THE BRITISH AND INTERNATIONAL FRANCHISE EXHIBITION

The British & International Franchise Exhibition, incorporating the Growing Your Own Business Exhibition and Conference, at Olympia, London on 23 and 24 March 2007 provides the ideal opportunity to find a diverse range of exciting new business opportunities from around the world.

Apollo Blinds: Vienna awaits Apollo Blinds

A trip to Vienna awaits the winners of a new incentive scheme introduced by blind store chain Apollo Blinds, which will be taking its 15 top performing franchisees on a five star trip around Austria's capital city in May as a reward for achieving the most significant sales increases.

Aussie Pet Mobile, Inc.: Aussie Pet Mobile to launch operations in the UK

Aussie Pet Mobile, the world's largest mobile pet grooming franchise, is set to launch in the UK. With a pet spending market worth £3.8 billion and growing, the UK presents an economic environment ripe for the Aussie Pet Mobile concept.

Molly Maid UK Ltd: Exceptional year for Molly Maid

Molly Maid UK

MOLLY MAID has reported 13 new franchise owners joining its network and annual turnover growing in access of 10 per cent for 2006. Says Pam Bader, CEO, OBE and past President of the British Franchise Association:

Molly Maid UK Ltd: Molly Maid holds 4th National Convention

Molly Maid UK

MOLLY MAID UK recently held its 4th National Convention at Shrigley Hall Hotel in Cheshire which overlooks 262 acres of rolling hills on the edge of the Peak District National Park. "A truly worthy venue for the backdrop to our ongoing commitment of bringing our Franchise Owners together to learn from each other and help them to improve their business"said Pam Bader OBE, Chief Executive of...

Sonic Golf: Reader buys Sonic Golf franchise

Sales and distribution franchise Sonic Golf has awarded a franchise in Surrey to James Wengraf-Townsend, who signed the franchise agreement on 14th December after reading about the opportunity in The Franchise Magazine.

Sumo Limited: SUMO scoops highways award

SUMO Services scooped its second major award of 2006 when it picked up the Highways Magazine Excellence Awards 'Innovative Maintenance Product of the Year'.

Swisher: Swisher celebrates 10 years

Swisher

Management franchise Swisher celebrates its 10 year anniversary this year. Established in the UK in 1997, Swisher has built an impressive reputation that has culminated in numerous awards including winning the 'Franchise Recruitment Team of the Year' Award 2006, a finalist position in the British Franchise Association's 'Franchisor of the Year' Award 2006, winning the 'HSBC Award for...

Perfect Pizza: Make some serious dough!

In 1993 my modest independent pizza franchise was acquired by Perfect Pizza. With their help, the operational standards, product quality and profits went from strength to strength.

Franchise Development Services Ltd (FDS): Ask the Panel - Your questions answered

FDS Southern

If you have an issue you would like our panel to address, mark your email/letter "passed for print"and be aware that it may be edited for length. Please note we can't promise individual responses.

Molly Maid UK Ltd: Run a Molly Maid franchise and you'll clean up

Molly Maid UK Ltd

The domestic cleaning market is worth £2billion+ and is growing fast

Auntie Anne's: A hot new franchise food opportunity

Auntie Anne's

A global US brand that spans 12 countries, Auntie Anne's is seeking to revolutionise the snack industry in the UK with its healthier option pretzels. Stuart Anderson interviews the principals behind this exciting opportunity and its first franchisee

Papa John's: Taste success with the US No. 1 pizza delivery chain

Having risen to the top of the US pizza market with its 'Better Ingredients Better Pizza' pledge, Papa John's is expanding its UK network with the aim of establishing its pizza as the nation's favourite.

Apollo Blinds: Apollo Blinds has the 'ooh' factor

It's official: Apollo Blinds has the 'ooh' factor. And its newest franchisees noticed the 'ooh' factor within days of opening their doors. Paul Kirby reports

Northwood (GB) Ltd: Why we invested in northwood...

Northwood

If you had told us three years ago that we could own a business generating nearly £200k in its second year of trading we would have told you that you were crazy but the fact is, that's exactly what we have achieved!

Bluebird Care Franchises Ltd: A successful franchise business...

Bluebird Care

We will match your desire to succeed with every member of the Bluebird Care Franchise Team working to turn your ambition into business reality...

TaxAssist Accountants: 'A recipe for success'

TaxAssist Accountants

After just two years since the launch of his business, TaxAssist Accountants franchisee Mark Linney has recently opened his second shop-front premises. Adam Browning reports

London House International Ltd: 'I've never looked back'

London House International

After more than a decade as a London House franchisee, Trevor Williams still thoroughly enjoys providing risk control services to private and commercial customers. Rachel Spaul interviews

Belvoir Lettings: A brand with potential

Belvoir Lettings

Belvoir Recruitment Manager Julie Taylor explains how Belvoir, the UK's leading lettings specialist, is looking forward to another highly successful year in 2007

Dublcheck: Massive market

Dublcheck

Dublcheck is your route into the lucrative, multi-billion pound commercial cleaning sector, as Founder Carol Stewart-Gill tells Rachel Spaul

Surelet: Improve your profits and your lifestyle with Surelet

Surelet

With an improved and tested business system, Surelet has developed a franchise offering fast returns on investment while maintaining quality of life. Geoff Dobson explains

Sonic Golf: First Sonic Golf franchisees tee off

A machine that cleans golf clubs is a simple concept and an equally simple business model with substantial opportunity for growth and return on investment. Rachel Spaul interviews the first Sonic Golf franchisees

CeX: Invest in a business that you will enjoy

CeX

An exciting and fast-paced retail opportunity, CeX provides a real opportunity to develop a network of high-tech gadget stores. Adam Browning reports

Printing.com: Andy Hart, Printing.com, Glasgow South

In 2004 I recognised a need to expand my horizons and felt that with no experience of running a larger business I would benefit from the backing of a successful franchise.

Swisher: Terry Iles, Swisher, Swindon

Swisher

It was the unique service, low investment and extensive support that attracted me to Swisher four years ago. To go it alone after working in employment for 35 years was a difficult decision, but I found Swisher to be an excellent franchise in the way it was organised.

All Trades Network Ltd: Andy Lerer, All Trades, Essex

All Trades Networks

After 20 years working as a senior manager in the corporate world and having my own property development business, I was looking for a management franchise opportunity to start up my own business.

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

Molly Maid UK

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.

Apollo Blinds: Colin Smith, Apollo Blinds, Hull

Making our franchise a family business has been the key to our success, in my opinion. My wife Gill has worked with me since we invested in the franchise in Hull nearly eight years ago, and in the last five years our sons Chris and Phil have also joined the business.

Certax Accounting: David Nicoll, Certax, Daventry

Certax Accounting

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.

BB's Coffee & Muffins Ltd: Women in franchising

'We've always enjoyed working at BB's and love making coffee'... Taking on a franchise was the next step on the career ladder for enterprising BB's Coffee & Muffins employees Carli Horsburgh and Maria Hepburn. Rachel Spaul reports

FDS North & Scotland: Prospective Franchisee: Know Thyself

Starting a business from scratch is a gargantuan task. Entrepreneurs set to work with no initial training, no operations manual, no start-up package, no ongoing support, no guidance, no marketing support and no established brand identity. Only franchisees enjoy such benefits, which is why franchise ownership is so popular. FDS Northern Consultant Tony Urwin explains

Auntie Anne's: Founders of franchising: Robert Burton - Auntie Anne's

Auntie Anne's

Many of the famous US brands trading on UK the high streets today have been established through Master Franchise licences. Stuart Anderson interviews Robert Burton, who became a Master Franchisee for the second time when he took over pretzel chain Auntie Anne's last year

Franchise Development Services (FDS): Is your business suitable for franchising?

The success or failure of a franchise venture can be traced back to the initial planning of its development. FDS Founder and Managing Director Roy Seaman reflects on how you should consider franchising your business

Venture Marketing Group: London Olympia hosts major franchising event

The British & International Franchise Exhibition, London Olympia is one of the major franchising events in the UK. Providing a whole host of new and exciting business opportunities from all over the world, this two day exhibition is a must attend event for entrepreneurs looking to start and run their own franchise business ventures

MFV Expositions: Own a Franchise and transform your life.

We'll show you how.

Venture Marketing Group: The Franchise Exhibition:Enterprising boost for Belfast

Thousands of Northern Ireland's budding entrepreneurs are expected to visit The Franchise Exhibition, which will feature many leading franchise companies at Belfast's Odyssey Arena

Popular UK Franchises

Platinum Property Partners Caremark FDS Southern Cleaning Doctor London House International Expense Reduction Analysts eTyres The Christmas Decorators ChipsAway International Autosheen Waves Snack-In-The-Box Northwood Dream Doors Bluebird Care Well Polished All Trades Networks TaxAssist Accountants