Zuber Patel, CeX

CeX franchise owner Zuber Patel has his sights set on becoming a multiple unit franchise owner. Following the successful launch of his first store based in Huddersfield last May, Zuber has invested in a second location in Dewsbury and has a third store planned for 2010.

"Life is good," enthuses Zuber. "Not only have I smashed my target of a £1 million first year turnover, my wife and I have also made the decision to extend our family by adopting two children.

"When I first joined CeX I worked 18-hour days to ensure my Huddersfield franchise was a success. Now I am in a position where I only need to work five days a week as I have a good team who are able to run the stores on a day-to-day basis on my behalf. This means I can spend more quality time with my family. I divide my time between both stores each week and when I launch my third store I plan to employ an Area Manager to oversee the running of the stores. This will enable me to focus on finding a location for my fourth CeX outlet.

"My brother Zakir, who introduced me to the concept of franchising, has also joined the CeX family and has just opened his first store in Bridlington. I really enjoy running my CeX franchise because I have a great team working for me and I have the opportunity to meet a wide range of customers."