Access a market in excess of £200 million
Demand for a national graffiti removal and surface protection company is clearly evident up and down the country. Graffiti is a problem faced by every local authority and organisation in both urban and rural areas and No Graffiti, the Suffolk-based graffiti removal specialist, believes the market exceeds £100 million.

No Graffiti franchisees provide graffiti removal and surface protection services to a variety of organisations including local authorities and councils, facilities management companies, transport authorities, housing associations, and retailers. With six regional franchisees established, No Graffiti is aiming to provide a better-localised service by partnering with approximately 40 individuals or companies nationwide.

"Your role as a franchisee is to manage the graffiti problem in your exclusive territory," explains Director Stewart Winship. "Starting with one team the business can be run from home initially, but a small industrial/starter unit in a non-critical tertiary location will be required as the business grows. Your ability to negotiate with councils, regional rail operators and facilities management companies will be crucial to your success."

Jim Flynn, regional franchisee for Scotland and a member of his local council, has first-hand experience of the devastation graffiti causes and the subsequent money that can be wasted on new gardens and services. He saw a gap in the market for a national graffiti removal company and an opportunity to develop a business providing a valued service. "Removing graffiti and making a place look better is very rewarding," reveals Jim.

Effective and safe cleaning techniques
Alan Ransome, regional franchisee covering east Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire and parts of Yorkshire, believes one of the key marketing tools is the range of processes and cleaning techniques No Graffiti offers. "We always take the most benign route that is best for the environment and the surface," he clarifies.

No Graffiti adopts a preventative approach to creating a graffiti free environment, as Stewart explains: "Instead of letting graffiti build up and then removing it at set intervals, graffiti needs to be removed quickly, ideally within 48 hours, for the perpetrator to be deterred. The No Graffiti repellent coating enables the graffiti to be removed quickly and cheaply time after time. Repeat removal as soon as it happens compounds the discouragement to the vandal, resulting in a change of behaviour."

The company employs a range of cleaning techniques including high temperature water, high pressure water, wet or dry microblasting, and a range of own-brand chemicals to remove graffiti from untreated surfaces.

Support when & where you need it
Jim points to a support network that includes existing regional franchisees in addition to head office training and backup. "This is a simple business to operate and the chemicals are easy to use," he assures. "The training was excellent and lasted a week with another week spent in the field. If you need help Stewart is always available on the phone and new franchisees can also call the regional franchisees for advice."

Alan agrees: "The training was very thorough, straightforward and professionally put together. Stewart outlines: "Training and support facilities encompass all aspects of graffiti removal and protection, sales and marketing and business management, warehousing for all cleaning products and our technical support operation." Franchisees are initially trained to remove graffiti and to protect surfaces, moving into more complicated markets, such as fly poster and chewing gum removal and stone cleaning, to add additional revenue streams.

Alan currently operates one van with one full-time employee but will shortly be looking to add a second van to service growing national account work. "The openness and integrity of the franchisor is a real plus," he offers. "After 25 years in a corporate environment I enjoy the low-level politics of the business and working with people that want to do a good job."

Jim and his son Steven operate one van and one backup unit and have established lucrative contracts with their local council, housing associations and local Sainsbury's stores. "We have focused on building the business slowly but surely and last year turned over £140,000. For the right people, who are prepared to work hard and put themselves out a bit for their customers, this is a personally and financially rewarding business."

Stewart is keen to add that while knowledge of cleaning is not necessary, franchisees will need hands-on sales experience.