Sports Xtra grants 4 new franchises

Children's physical activity specialists franchise Sports Xtra has announced the launch of four new territories to mark the end of its first 12 months of franchising. The four new franchise owners (pictured with members of the head office team) recently spent four days training at head office learning how to operate and develop the business.

Four more areas are already scheduled for opening during October, taking the network size to 15. "At the outset we knew we had a fantastic concept so we set ourselves an ambitious target to reach 15 franchises by the end of 2009," said Managing Director Gareth Lippiatt. "To reach that target three months early and reach the final of a FSB Enterprising Business Award isn't a bad first year and testament to my head office team, which also seems to be growing on a monthly basis at the moment!

"Our sector of the sport and leisure industry has continued to expand rapidly despite the recession and, with increased public spending having been announced, there is every reason for optimism that we can sustain this rate of growth. It's not the quantity but the quality of the people that we award franchises to that is most important and that's something we cannot compromise. Franchise owners do not require any experience in this sector, however they will need to be capable managers able to build positive relationships with clients and motivate a team of coaches."