One of America's most popular snack food retailers is moving into the UK high street with the launch of Auntie Anne's hand rolled soft pretzel stores. The Master Franchise to market Auntie Anne's throughout the UK and Ireland has been acquired by Robert Burton, former owner of the Thrifty Car Rental operation in the UK.
After buying Belvoir's Sleaford franchise as a going concern, Peter Atkinson has tripled its turnover in his first year. He was awarded the Newcomer of the Year Award at the Belvoir High Achievers Award in 2005 and has since gone on to be one of the 10 finalists in the British Franchise Association's 'Franchisee of the Year 2006' awards.
Gail Jones has joined the expanding team at Caremark to implement her expertise within the company owned office at Pulborough. Gail, who has successfully opened and developed a domiciliary agency previously, is confident that Caremark offers her an exciting and rewarding new challenge.
Consumers increasingly want to see businesses demonstrating a high degree of social responsibility. According to Business in the Community, nearly half (44%) of consumers rate this as a 'very important' consideration when buying a product or service.
With personal debt in the UK now over £1.1 trillion, risk control services franchise London House highlights a recent report from the Credit Services Association (CSA), which found that debt collection agencies are dramatically increasing their employment to cope with the workload of collecting on personal debt.
Molly Maid has appointed Jonathan Holden as Director of Franchise Support. Jonathan joins with over 12 years' experience in franchising including positions at Kall Kwik, where he was Head of Sales and Operations, responsible for a network of 160 Centres with annual turnover in excess of £70 million and most recently energie fitness clubs as Franchise Development Manager, recruiting 38...
"I've always enjoyed selling and I wanted a business with a really good product range,"says Recognition Express franchisee Arthur Keighley. "Franchising appealed to me because, although I can sell, it's the buying of the goods at the right price that helps. Recognition Express has 25 years worth of suppliers and this really grabbed my attention."
Leading franchise organisation Recognition Express has named the Supreme Group its Supplier of the Year at an internal conference and awards ceremony.
TaxAssist Accountants, accountancy and taxation specialists for services to small business, has recently opened its 40th shop front style office.
The British Franchise Association (bfa) has announced a week packed full of events for National Franchise Week 2006, which will take place between 2nd and 8th of October. Aiming to encourage people across the UK to consider how franchising can help them 'Escape the 9 to 5', National Franchise Week will provide an ideal opportunity to explore the world of franchising as a proven and...
The Women in Franchising Zone is a dedicated conference within The National Franchise Exhibition taking place on 6 & 7 October at Birmingham's NEC and will feature leading women entrepreneurs sharing inspiration and valuable advice on helping women start their own franchise businesses.
An investor is sought to take a 40 per cent stake in Bassito's peri peri and spearhead the development of a franchise package to replicate the company's Portuguese chicken peri-peri restaurant concept nationwide.
Specialist franchise law firm Leathes Prior and franchise consultancy Franchise Development Services have teamed up to provide franchisors and prospective franchisors with two free specialist franchising events taking place in September. The first, on 7th September, is aimed at existing franchisors and will take the form of a Franchisor Discussion Forum covering the topics associated with...
Multi-discipline property company Clarke Hillyer, founded in 1885, has launched a new surveying franchise to exploit a huge gap in the market.
Pioneering double glazing repair company 0845 Glassman has completed the training of its first franchisee. David Adkins from Chelmsford is now the only franchisee in the UK who is able to offer his customers the revolutionary new 0845 Glassman service, which allows misted double glazing units to be repaired without having to install an expensive replacement.
The UK's best-performing franchisees are toasting their success after reaching the National Finals of this year's bfa Franchisee of the Year Awards, sponsored by HSBC and Express newspapers
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.
Telecommunication specialist Cubic Telecom is expanding its franchise operation into the UK following the brand's huge success in Ireland, where it has awarded all of its franchises.
Security specialist Dyno-Secure, in partnership with the local police force and council, has implemented a major crime reduction initiative in Slough. The innovative project, funded by Thames Valley police with the help of a grant, was supported by a number of groups.
Fast growing fitness club brand, énergie Fitness Clubs has opened new sites in Hounslow and Hackney with a third due to launch in Fulham at the beginning of September, taking the current network of clubs to 17. Now established as the largest fitness club franchise operation in the UK, énergie has a growing pipeline with a further six full format and five énergie Fitness for Women clubs by...
Franchisee Steve Littlewood and his wife Ellen, who own an In-toto kitchen showroom in Northampton, have opened their second franchise in Milton Keynes, and report that it has taken off much faster than anticipated.
The UK's leading independent fitted kitchen franchise, In-toto kitchens held its 2006 National Meeting at the DeVere Belfry Hotel in the Midlands with a theme of 'Going for Gold'. Nearly 100 franchisees and suppliers attended the event, which incorporated social and sporting activities as well as business presentations and special achievement awards over the weekend.
Papa John's International, Inc. has appointed Ian Saunders as Managing Director of its UK operations. Ian replaces Daniel Cousineau who is leaving Papa John's UK to pursue other ventures.
Graduate recruitment and training specialist Pareto Law has launched its first office in Scotland, with Gerry Dowds heading up the Glasgow-based operation.
A DESIGNER who began by making clothes for the elderly in her garage and has now launched a franchisee network across the UK and Ireland is to showcase her fast-expanding business at the 2006 National Franchise Exhibition, NEC Birmingham, October 6 & 7 - Stand V110.
Rainbow International has launched a new corporate identity to reflect its position as the UK's leading restoration and cleaning company.
Ripples Ltd, the premier bathroom retailer, is continuing its rapid growth with two recent additions to its showroom portfolio and plans to open another three new showrooms this year.
"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.
Avid motor sport fans at Signs Express (Reading) were delighted to provide exciting new racing graphics for a 2004 Porsche 996 GT3 cup car used by Hawthorns Motorsport in the British GT. Driven by Rod Barrett and Swedish driver Jan Persson, the Porsche (pic above) has a flag design on either side of the car, the British flag on one side and the Swedish flag on the other.
SUMO, the UK's largest provider to the construction industry of utility surveys using the latest technologies, has undertaken a very unusual job.
TalkFirst has launched an online shop at www.talkfirst.net. The shop is the most comprehensive online shop for dedicated Baby Signing Products in the UK and puts TalkFirst well ahead of the competition. There is an additional section to the shop, which is aimed at adults who want to learn more about British Sign Language.
Grab your passport to a brighter future today, get in touch and find out how far you can go....
With 55 per cent of British franchisors citing a lack of suitable franchisees as their biggest barrier to growth*, Stuart Anderson takes a look at the qualities that franchisors are seeking in their ideal franchisee candidates
The Christmas Decorators is launching its specialist seasonal decorating service as a franchise following its huge success in North West England. Rachel Spaul reports
There is a real opportunity to have your cake and eat it with Safeclean, a franchise that offers excellent benefits for both single operator and management franchises.
A business-to-business franchise opportunity operating within a niche market providing mailing support services is being offered by Mail Shot International
Colin Blunt purchased a ChipsAway franchise in 2001. His sudden death a few months later left his son David on the back foot, unsure of what to do for the best, or what direction to take for the future. As it turned out, his ChipsAway franchise has proved the best possible legacy Colin could have left for his son.
Providing a comprehensive range of childcare services to families, businesses and local authorities, Safehands Network franchisees are building highly lucrative and rewarding businesses, discovers Rachel Spaul
2006 has brought with it some major changes for Belvoir which are greatly beneficial to the whole of the Belvoir Group. Belvoir Lettings Chief Executive Mike Goddard explains
Following the creation of new franchise opportunities in the North East, Wiltshire Farm Foods is poised for further expansion, reveals Rachel Spaul
The Best Of is a community website franchise that is taking on the big-boys of the internet...and winning. Managing Director Nigel Botterill reports
Two Snack-in-the-Box franchisees reveal how they have built their successful snack-vending businesses with the help of the Cadbury brand name.
As the refurbishment of the Apollo Blinds network of showrooms draws to a close, the franchisees of the showroom that was used as a showcase for the new design talk about their hopes for the future with the new look Apollo Blinds
Already seeking to own a second TaxAssist Accountants franchise after the success of his first, Mark Linney talks to Adam Browning about life in self-employment
Putting the internet into the heart of its business, Cash Generator is introducing a new ebay/CG Net Auction Drop service to further improve its franchisees' business propositions. Best of all, it isn't costing franchisees any initial fees! MD Julian Urry discusses the initiative
partnerships and husband and wife teams looking for a middle-market...
Providing risk control services such as internal theft and fraud checks, counter-money laundering and witness statements makes for an exciting business with London House. Stuart Anderson interviews its newest franchisee
Jani-King is a world-leading commercial cleaning company that has developed a substantial national network of franchised regions across the UK. The regions are operated by go-getting business builders who have invested in the franchise with the same aims: to concentrate their efforts on building a high turnover business into a highly valuable capital asset with the backing of a comprehensive...
Dublcheck is your route into the lucrative, multi-billion pound commercial cleaning sector, as Founder Carol Stewart-Gill tells Rachel Spaul
PlumbLocal is building an impressive corporate client base. This is good news for franchisees, as Local Services' Emma King reports
Having made the finishing touches to their O2 store, father and son team Andrew and John Russel eagerly await their first customers. Rachel Spaul reports
Bio Depot is a unique concept designed to meet the growing demand for renewable energy, managed waste solutions and reductions in carbon emissions throughout the UK, Europe and the rest of the World.
All Trades Network franchisees are encouraged to share their successes and voice their opinions to fuel the development of their businesses and the network as a whole. Rachel Spaul reports
Your route into the ever expanding care industry estimated to be worth up to £17billion begins with Caremark. Providing services to people in need of care within the community.
Combining business acumen with creative flair has provided Furniture Medic franchisee Richard Audsley with a business he loves. Adam Browning interviews
Harnessing the power of technology to support franchisees in delivering flexible, online print on demand solutions, eprintglobal is making a compelling business proposition.
Specialising in long haul travel, Global Travel Group member Mark Hurrell discusses how his business takes him all over the world
With six franchisees signed up before its official launch, Cubic Telecom is offering a new-technology opportunity in the vibrant telecoms sector, as Cubic Telecom explains
Women's-only gym Ladies Workout Express has developed a programme of success for both its gym members and its franchisees
The rapid development of new technology is driving the growing success of CeX - the one-stop shop for gadget lovers. Adam Browning reports.
Dan Archer reveals how the British Franchise Association can help franchisees on their route to success
We seek an energetic individual who can share our vision of creating an ethical and solid franchise network, and who can appreciate the ultimate returns to be gained from this approach. Build a chain of proven white-collar businesses through franchising Earn rewards from a substantial shareholding in the support company
EC Credit Control is the leading supplier of credit management and debt recovery services throughout the Australian and New Zealand markets, and now with a presence in Ireland.
Franchising: A practical and profitable way to expand a business nationwide or worldwide...Drawing on 25 years of experience in the franchise industry, Professor Roy Seaman recommends how you should ascertain whether you have a business that could expand by franchising.
Having originally assisted TaxAssist Accountants in setting up its franchise in 1995, franchise consultant Paul Hague interviews the company's CEO Karl Sandall
FDS Northern Franchise Consultant Tony Urwin explains his 10 reasons why your business could benefit from taking the franchise route
With an extensive pedigree in care industry franchising, the founders of Bluebird Care speak to Nick Williams about their newly launched franchise
The UK's largest franchise exhibition, the National Franchise Exhibition 2006, will take place on 6th & 7th October at the NEC, Birmingham and will offer the widest selection of franchise businesses in Britain
Franchise Development Services (FDS) has been commissioned to assist an established Franchisor in their drive to recruit quality candidates for their Franchise as part of their ambition of full network coverage.
Do you have a burning question about the franchise industry you need answered? Perhaps you have a point of view you haven't seen put forth, and would like to invite the discussion of franchise industry luminaries?
With 25 years of experience as an accountant, Paul Matthews knew exactly what he was looking for when he invested in the CerTax Accounting franchise. "I've worked for a number of medium to large size companies but I became frustrated with the corporate politics that often occurs between departments of big businesses,"reveals Paul. "I liked the idea of opening a small practice, went for my...
The full team of owners of sales and distribution franchise Chemex has been revealed to The Franchise Magazine, after the company was bought out earlier this year.