What better way to understand how a franchise works than by writing the Operations Manual, and what better endorsement for a company than that writer investing in the franchise? This is the story behind Morris Pasties' latest shop in Falmouth Cornwall where franchisees Malcolm and Jill Farrar have completed their first month's trading and are looking to the future with great anticipation.

"I've written between 50 and 60 manuals over the years," reports Malcolm, who wrote the Morris Pasties Operations Manual as part of a Franchise Development Services programme. "What I liked about Morris Pasties was the whole package: the people, products, branding and the fact that it is a ground-floor opportunity."

Morris Pasties has more than risen to the challenge of serving pasties in the county that invented them and where every town has a pasty shop. Hand-layered and hand-crimped pasties made to a secret recipe from locally sourced meats and vegetables stand up against hastily made or machine manufactured alternatives, as endorsed by Malcolm who only invested in the franchise once he'd tasted the product. "I was never really keen on pasties," he admits, "but I thought that Morris Pasties were very nice. Cornwall is awash with pasty shops, but the quality of our pasties gives us the confidence to meet the competition head on. Our customers agree it's a great product." Even the 'Beast' - an enormous pasty - is proving hugely popular with very hungry customers and has also served as a birthday 'cake' complete with message and candles.

Morris Pasties Founder Chris Morris comments: "Any manual writer, particularly someone as thorough as Malcolm, really gets inside the business and its systems. Knowing that someone like Malcolm, who has worked on a number of quality franchises, has invested in our franchise gives us great cause for optimism. We already know we have a very special product, this just adds to our confidence. We are delighted to welcome Malcolm and Jill on board." Family Values

Morris Pasties is a family-run business with a Cornish heritage spanning more than 30 years. Having formulated and proven the franchise concept in Newquay the company is taking a taste of Cornwall nationwide with its company-owned shops in Newquay and Solihull, franchises open in Falmouth and High Wycombe, and a further 15 opening soon.

Morris Pasties has developed a shop catered to the fast food market but maintaining its family values of quality produce and exceptional service. "Our pasties are made in the traditional way," stresses Chris. "All pasties are individually hand-layered and hand-crimped. The secret recipe, gifted by one of the finest Cornish pasty bakers in living memory has stood the test of time and been acclaimed on BBC TV and in national newspapers.

"Franchisees are not expected to make the specialist pasties themselves, as experience has shown that pasties cook best from frozen. The baking process has been simplified to achieve easy, consistent results."

A larger factory equipped with modern production facilities is scheduled to open this year to help meet growing demand for Morris Pasties.

Complementing the pasties is a range of premium soups and specialty ice creams created by Michelin Star rated chef Nathan Outlaw. Fair-trade organic coffee and various freshly baked morning goods and pastries complete a range of products designed to give maximum profitability to franchisees. Based on their turnover for month one, Malcolm and Jill fully expect to make a healthy profit: "Bearing in mind that we are starting to win bulk orders and based on our first month's takings, we believe that there is a lot of potential for expansion and making money." Malcolm and Jill describe their first months as a "learning experience" having previously worked very independently of each other, Malcolm writing manuals from home and Jill as Company Secretary/Head of Legal Services of a national charity.

"Working with a partner has its advantages and disadvantages," Malcolm admits, "but we've actually been surprised by how well we've got on. Jill has a hidden talent for sales and is a demon on the counter, while I have an eye for fine detail."

Jumping in at the deep end Malcolm and Jill opened their shop on one of the busiest weekends of the year: May bank holiday. Thanks to the presence of Morris Pasties, a frantic day working flat out from 10am until 4pm was met calmly. "Since then business has been buoyant," adds Malcolm. "After an initial period of intense support we've been left alone to run the business, but further support is always available. Chris and Alison have given us a lot of personal support and have been very prompt at solving problems."

After the initial training a member of the Morris Pasties head office team visits franchisees to assist with marketing the business and providing one-on-one support. Ongoing support is provided in the form of additional training, development seminars, telephone and email support, an intranet service, and visits.

Next Stop Truro With a growing track record in Falmouth, Malcolm and Jill will soon be turning their sights on Truro. "We're confident that Truro is feasible for our next shop and it's not too far away so we can manage a shop each," confirms Malcolm. "The next challenge after that is to build a management structure before going for a third shop. Falmouth has exceeded our expectations and we're both looking forward to an expanding and prosperous future."