Latest franchise news:

Web exclusive: London House (Services): Alfred Eccles, London House, Wolverhampton
The instability in the Middle East forced me to make an unplanned return to the UK after 15 years working in the hotel and catering industry in countries such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Iran.

Web exclusive: Ripples: Ripples brings bathrooms of distinction to Newbury
Bathroom retailer Ripples has opened its first showroom in Newbury - the company's 16th showroom since it started in 1988. Owned by Richard and Diane Garnett, the showroom is conveniently located on Cheap Street.

Web exclusive: Keytek: Keytek awarded British Franchise Association membershi

Web exclusive: Plumb Local: Local Services wins significant national contracts
Building services franchisor Local Services has announced significant recent national customer contract wins, together with the raising of additional capital to support its growth.

Web exclusive: Enfields: Reigns Supreme at 2006 Estate Agency of the Year Award
Southern-based property firm Enfields retained its industry acclaim at the annual property award ceremony, hosted this month, with a second Gold win for the Best Medium Agent category, alongside Bronze wins under the Lettings and Technology/ Web categories.

Web exclusive: Card Connection: Card Connection Launches Hollywood Card Designs
Leading greeting card publisher and franchisor, Card Connection, has launched a new selection of greeting cards based on a Hollywood theme to add to its existing extensive portfolio. The new cards which are printed in stylish monochrome depicting Hollywood icons and films such as Breakfast at Tiffany's, Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire and The Wizard of Oz, will be distributed to retail outlets throughout the UK and Ireland by Card Connections' network of franchisees.

Web exclusive: Thebestof.co.uk: thebestof signs 300th franchisee
thebestof, the successful online business directory and community website business, has just signed its 300th franchisee. Dean and Emma Biggs have bought the Durham franchise, making thebestof the fastest-ever growing UK franchise.

Web exclusive: Chips: Christmas come early for franchisee
PLUMBER Stephen Osborne has hung up his wrench to open his very own video games store at one of the most exciting times in the industry.

Web exclusive: Ovenu: Entrepreneur aims to clean up kent with Ovenu
Entrepreneur Peter Wetzel is aiming to clean up in Kent after establishing a professional oven valeting business, Ovenu.

Web exclusive: Domino's Pizza Group: Domino's strengthens Group Board with double promotion
Domino's Pizza, the UK and Ireland leader in pizza delivery, has today announced significant promotions for two members of its senior management team

Web exclusive: Fastsigns International: Franchisees Come First for FASTSIGNS
Leading sign and graphics specialist FASTSIGNS has launched an awards scheme to celebrate and recognise its franchisees' success.

Web exclusive: Thebestof.co.uk: National Account Manager to work with major brands
thebestof, the successful online business directory and community website franchise, has appointed Joanne Yeke as its first National Accounts Manager.

Web exclusive: The Bunnery: Market Intelligence - New Franchise Opportunity
The "Rabbit Hotel"franchise was devised by Jacky Hall who, upon being widowed, made some life-changing decisions. Having given up her senior job at Birmingham Airport in order to stay at home and look after her three-year old son, she began looking for a way of earning money at home.

Web exclusive: Ecocleen: Franchisee Diary: Paul Tiltman, Ecocleen - Ashford
I am two years into a five year plan for my Ecocleen franchise and have contracts in place to ensure I reach a second year turnover of £290,000. I have set myself a good goal of reaching orders of £1 million a year by the end of year five.

Web exclusive: Calbarrie: Franchisee Diaries: David Bolley-Smith, Calbarrie
I started in business when I was 21, buying a shop which repaired domestic appliances. By the time I was 45 I'd moved the business into vacuum repair and was servicing a large contract with the Ministry of Defence. However, I needed to diversify and Calbarrie dovetailed neatly with the business.

Web exclusive: Mr Electric: Double Trouble as Mr Electric opens two new Franchises
Mr Electric, Britain's largest electrical contracting service has continued to strengthen its presence in the UK by launching two new franchisees in Glasgow Central and Swindon.

Web exclusive: Signs Express: Signs of an makeover at Dekor Plc
Following a period of growth and rapid expansion, Dekor PLC, formally Decor Frame, has unveiled its new look at its 180,000 sq ft manufacturing and distribution facility with the help of Bluegg Creative and Signs Express (Cardiff). Dekor Plc are based at Waterton Park in Bridgend and established in 1988; are now leading manufacturers of home accessories to the UK's largest retail customers. The rebrand project has been managed by design agency Bluegg Creative which is based in Newport.

Web exclusive: Urban Planters: Interior landscapers franchise is branching out.
Urban Planters, the UK's leading interior landscape provider of live and replica plants displays, have transformed some of the country's most illustrious hotels, shopping centres, offices, car showrooms and leisure clubs. Last week the National Franchise Exhibition held at the NEC, Birmingham, saw Urban Planters capitalise on their business proposition to attract potential franchisees. Making it through to the finals of last year's British Franchise Awards it was particularly important to attend the exhibition, and being their first they wanted to be remembered long after the event for being different and above all, innovative.

Web exclusive: Dream Doors: Dream Doors adds to head office team
Kitchen doors replacement franchise Dream Doors has made two new appointments to its head office team. Kelly Chambers joins as Franchise & Operations Director, and Alex Waite joins as Franchise Recruitment Manager.

Web exclusive: Venture Marketing Group: National Franchise Expo enjoys more visitors than ever
The organisers of the National Franchise Exhibition 2006, which took place on October 6th and 7th, report that the event was the largest franchise exhibition ever staged in Britain, with more visitors than ever before attending and over 250 established and new franchise companies exhibiting.

Web exclusive: Totally Dynamic: Official launch wows Franchise Exhibition visitors
Norwich-based vehicle wrapping franchise Totally Dynamic enjoyed a "fantastic response"at the official launch of its franchise opportunity at the recent National Franchise Exhibition in Birmingham. Visitors to the event met founder Adrian Rope and his team on the Totally Dynamic stand, who report that many remarked that the franchise provided a "breath of fresh air".

Web exclusive: UK Biometrics: First franchisee signs prior to national launch
UK Biometric Franchise launched its franchise at the National Franchise Exhibition in October with its first franchisee already on board. Despite not actively recruiting prior to the event, the franchise provoked the interest of John Bonnett, Managing Director of Moda (Group Exhibitions) Ltd (pictured), the company that designed the UK Biometrics Franchise stand for the exhibition, who has been awarded the franchise for West Yorkshire & East Lancashire.

Web exclusive: World's Best Property Club: World's Best Property Club launches Discovery Day
World's Best Property Club (WBPC) has been launched in the UK to bring a new level of service to the property industry and help people create wealth through property investment. WBPC has been formed as the launch pad for UK and international development by The Investors Club, which has developed a successful business model over 13 years in Australia and New Zealand and has over 70,000 members worldwide.

Web exclusive: Sliderobes: Sliderobes launches new product development
Fitted bedroom furniture franchise Sliderobes has launched its new Stratta range, aimed "primarily at a younger audience seeking a very modern, stylish and flexible storage solution".

Web exclusive: Riverford Organic Vegetables: River Swale Organic prepares to come on stream in 2007
Organic vegetable box franchise Riverford Organic is making available 15 new franchise territories in the North East.

Web exclusive: Northwood Residential Lettings: Northwood looks back on 2006: 'a busy year'
Northwood Residential Lettings is achieving above target growth and predicts network expansion of nearly 50 per cent by the end of the year. Director Gemma Goodson reveals: "We entered 2006 with 28 branches and currently have 39 open and 14 further branches at varying stages. This is above target and before we take into account leads from the National Franchise Exhibition."

Web exclusive: Sumo: SUMO adds two new franchisees to network
Utility surveys provider to the construction industry SUMO has announced the launch of two new franchisees. Simon Foster (Bournemouth) and Richard Clish (West Yorkshire) join the 13 franchisees already established in the UK, in addition to the head office operation based in Havant, Hampshire.

Web exclusive: Keytek: Keytek staff complete the Three Peaks Challenge
Specialist locksmithing franchise Keytek® has raised more than £1,400 for Cancer Research UK by successfully completing the Three Peaks Challenge.

Web exclusive: Unze: Unze marks 18 months with 15 franchisees
Unzè by Shalimar Shoes is strutting its stuff in more than 15 locations across the UK and Ireland just 18 months after launching the franchise. Franchise Director, Kamran Saleem says the interest in Unzè's own-label ladies shoes and matching accessories has been "phenomenal".

Web exclusive: British Franchise Association (BFA): Franaccounts release new podcast
British Franchise Association affiliated accountants Franaccounts has released the second episode of its podcasts for prospective franchisees.

Web exclusive: Pinnacle Chauffeur Transport Limited: Pinnacle franchisee becomes board member
Pinnacle Chauffeur Transport franchisee Trevor Langley (pictured) has exchanged his driving seat for one on the board, following a major reorganisation of the company in which he has become a major shareholder.

Web exclusive: Bluebird Care: New franchisee signs for Bluebird Care at National Expo
Domiciliary care franchise Bluebird Care signed a new franchisee at the National Franchise Exhibition in October. Sue Milakovic (pictured) has taken on the Mid-Staffordshire territory, after initially identifying the opportunity through the pages of The Franchise Magazine.

Web exclusive: Swisher: Matthew Slaughter - Swisher Franchisee
I fell into catering after school and became a trained chef for 10 years, then moved into selling photocopiers for seven years. I started thinking: "I'm earning good money here but not enjoying the job on a day-to-day basis." That was when I started considering doing something for myself, but the biggest factor was my wish to spend more time with my young family (I have three kids).

Web exclusive: Recognition Express: A view on being a deaf franchisee by Adrian Simpson
First of all, you need to assess your own strengths and weaknesses, in particular the former, as it will be crucial in determining the kind of work you can realistically hope to do. Secondly, you should think about the skills & competencies you have acquired in past and present employment, including those you have gained through formal education.

Web exclusive: Pareto Law: Birmingham Business Celebrates Successful First Year
Graduate recruitment and sales training firm Pareto Law is celebrating a successful first year for its Birmingham office, with over 50 placements and clients including Crona, Sirius and Harvey Nash.

Web exclusive: Rosemary Conley Diet and Fitness Clubs: Be you own Boss in 2007 with help from Rosemary Conley
Ever fancied being your own boss and running your own business? Well the country's leading Health and Fitness business Rosemary Conley Diet and Fitness Clubs is giving you the opportunity to do just that.

Web exclusive: Card Connection: Card Connection Appoints New Business Managers
Following its best ever year, leading greeting card publisher and franchisor, Card Connection, has announced today that it is further expanding its team with the appointment of two new business development managers. Gillian Herdman and John Coe will be dedicated to supporting the company's network of franchisees to help them achieve increased revenues from their businesses.

Web exclusive: Kall Kwik (UK): 'The Badger' returns to Kall Kwik
KALL KWIK is welcoming some new faces to its Twickenham outlet this Thursday, as new Owner James Gil-Rodriguez is joined by 'Apprentice' star Ruth Badger to celebrate the re-launch of the design and print outlet.

Web exclusive: Sliderobes: Sliderobes scoops top Customer Relationship award
Belfast-based fitted-wardrobe franchise, Sliderobes, has scooped a top national award, sponsored by Sage, for its new Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system.