ChipsAway: The Sign of Success!

As ChipsAway marks 15 years of operations the network is highlighting a series of franchise agreement renewals which reflect the continued success of its franchise owners.

Automotive paintwork repair franchise ChipsAway is celebrating 15 years of sustained success. Launched in the UK in 1994, the company introduced SMART repairs (Small to Medium Area Repair Technology) to the UK and simultaneously created a whole new industry sector, as well as the opportunity for hard working, enterprising people to build a long-term profitable business. Operating from fully equipped mobile workshops, ChipsAway franchise owners provide high quality 'on the spot' paintwork repairs at a place and time convenient to customers and at a fraction of the price of traditional body shop methods.

Franchise owner Gary Watson was one of the first to spot the enormous potential offered by ChipsAway and rapidly reaped the rewards of his foresighted decision to invest in a franchise. His brother Dean, impressed by Gary's booming business, signed up to success only a matter of months later and 15 years on both have again re-signed for a fourth five year term, taking them towards an amazing 20 year milestone in franchising.

"I can easily see myself doing this for at least another 10 years," Gary confirms. "Why wouldn't I? ChipsAway has provided me and Dean with an excellent living for many years, our business is still growing strongly and at only 41 I'm certainly not ready to retire just yet!"

Former RAF engineer Paul Fabian was one of many to follow in Gary and Dean's footsteps and sign up for success with ChipsAway. Paul left the air force and began to look for a practical, hands-on business opportunity with the potential for him to earn big money and retire early. Having researched various opportunities, he joined ChipsAway in 1999, initially running a man and van operation. However, just two years later he was unable to handle a rocketing workload and decided to invest in a ChipsAway CarCare Centre. Basing himself in his new premises, he also took on an employee to enable him to continue to offer mobile services too.

Today, just over 10 years later, Paul has two thriving CarCare Centres on adjacent territories and continues to operate a mobile workshop. He currently has six employees and is busier than ever, credit crunch notwithstanding. "Last year was my busiest yet and I'm on track to achieve a 10 per cent increase in turnover this year," he confirms.

Paul's experience reflects that of dynamic duo Michelle Clark and Anatol Poyer-Sleeman, ChipsAway franchise owners who signed up for a second term in 2009, having achieved an exceptionally successful first five years with the franchise. According to Anatol and Michelle, who operate no less than five franchise territories, their commitment for another five years underlines the couple's confidence in a strong and profitable future.

"If our ChipsAway business was not delivering the benefits we expect, we certainly wouldn't be committing to another five years," Anatol states. "We have enjoyed five extremely successful years and have grown our business substantially over that period. While we have responded to the recent financial climate and adapted our marketing strategy accordingly, the phones have not stopped ringing. We are booked solidly for three to four weeks ahead on all territories and frankly we're struggling to keep up with new enquiries.

"We continue to enjoy a great lifestyle, thanks to our ChipsAway franchise. It has given us control over our own destiny and has equipped us to cope, whether the market is buoyant or tough. We still get a tremendous buzz from our business and I'd recommend anyone with the ambition and determination to succeed to sign up to ChipsAway!"

Megan Dunmore reports