Surf-themed pasty company Phat Pasty has revealed it has signed five franchise agreements in the North East under the government-backed 'Be Franchising' initiative. The company serves more than 350 business from its Milton Keynes head office through a fleet of VW-camper-style 'Phat Vans', offering freshly baked Cornish pasties, breakfast items and home-made sandwiches and soups.

Each Phat Van includes an oven and fridge which allows pasties to be freshly baked in the van itself every morning. The company is offering its van concept franchise to solo operators, plus existing cafes, coffee shops and bakeries who wish to add a Phat Van.

"Our whole family is passionate about good food, and above all, we wanted to be part of something fun, dynamic and exciting," says company founder and self-styled 'Phat Controller' Laura Clark. "The inspiration for the business came about after a trip to see family in Cornwall, the lifestyle is so fun and full of life that we wanted to encapsulate that in a company and take it to the public every morning. Already we've had some amazing feedback and having people greet our van with smiles on their faces is a great rewarding start to every day. Our mission is to take our Phat brand to every town across the UK and make The Phat Pasty Co a household name."

The Be Franchising initiative is part of a greater 'Be Enterprising' programme, which represents total funding amounting to £18.7 million across a five year period (from 2006-2011). The programme was awarded by the government's Local Enterprise Growth Initiative Fund to a joint bid by the Derwentside, Easington, Sedgefield and Wear Valley District Councils. Be Franchising has been developed by the councils as part of the overall implementation of the Be Enterprising programme in recognition of the added value franchise businesses provide to new entrepreneurs.

Published: 24 November 2009

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