'ChipsAway is my solution to the credit crunch'

When changes to the licensing laws reduced the viability of his nightclub business, Max spotted the tremendous market potential of ChipsAway

Investing in a ChipsAway franchise, entrepreneur Max Angliss moved away from his business of 20 years to start a new venture in a totally unrelated sector. His main criteria in selecting the leading SMART (Small to Medium Area Repair Technology) repair specialist included potential for substantial and rapid expansion, relatively low initial outlay and, most importantly of all, resilience in the face of recession.

Max successfully owned and operated his own nightclub for many years until changes in the law allowed for 24 hour drinking in pubs, traditionally feeder establishments for his nightclub. As profitability declined, Max looked at alternative business opportunities and discovered ChipsAway. 'Initially, I looked at catering and hospitality related franchises, as that reflected my experience, but I soon realised that I no longer wanted to work unsociable hours and I fancied the challenge of tackling something completely different,' he explains. 'ChipsAway really excited me. I could see the tremendous market potential - after all there are well over 30 million cars on the road in this country and right now most people are focused on keeping their vehicles in good condition to get an extra year or two's life out of them, rather than buying new.'

ChipsAway is one of the most successful franchises in the UK with approaching 350 franchisees operating nationwide and a network of Master Franchisors overseas. ChipsAway's unique SMART system enables franchisees operating from fully equipped mobile workshops to make high quality repairs to minor car bodywork damage quickly and cost-effectively, restoring paintwork in a matter of hours. The quality, value and convenience of the ChipsAway 'on-the-spot' repair service has ensured the company remains the leading brand in this lucrative and rapidly growing marketplace.

Max launched his business at the beginning of October last year. Initially he operated a mobile repair service as most franchisees do. However he has already expanded his business, taking on a second area adjacent to where he lives, and is currently in the process of establishing a ChipsAway CarCare Centre in a prime location where he believes his business will boom.

'I've secured premises right next to a busy Car Wash and the enquiries are flowing in, just as I expected,' he confirms. 'I have big plans for this business. My first employee John, who joined me three months ago and was trained by ChipsAway, has taken over the operation of my mobile service in my first territory enabling me to concentrate on building up business for the CarCare Centre. In the near future I hope to take on another employee and a second van to introduce a mobile service to the second territory. John is an ex-estate agent but he has taken to the business like a duck to water and between us we're really going great guns!'

ChipsAway has been very supportive and positive about his business development, Max confirms. 'They're really nice guys and very approachable. After all, it's in their interests to make sure their franchisees succeed, so they provide first class training and superb ongoing technical support. Quite honestly if they can turn me into an automotive paint repairer, they can do that for anyone!'

Max concludes that success for his business is inevitable. He believes that the combination of his own tenacity, ambition and commitment to hard work combined with ChipsAway's market leading system, a massive marketplace and proven demand, adds up to a winning formula. 'I love this business. It's given me a tremendous sense of achievement and a renewed zest for success. In a nutshell, my ChipsAway franchise has given me opportunity for a great new future!'

Reported by Megan Dunmore