Latest franchise news:

Web exclusive: Fast-Fix Jewelry Repairs: Jewellery repair franchise expands into UK and Ireland
US jewellery and watch repair franchise Fast-Fix is set to expand into the UK and Ireland. The company has sold its Master Franchise for the UK and Ireland to Shane Cooney, a Dublin based former Shell Oil Executive.

Web exclusive: The energie Group: Fitness club franchise opens seven new clubs
Fitness club franchise The energie Group has continued its expansion with the opening of seven clubs across its two brands within seven weeks. The two brands consist of energie Fitness for Women club, in which outlets were opened in Newport, Kendal, Oakham, Heswell, Wexford and Ayr and energie Fitness club, in which one club was launched in Warrington.

Web exclusive: Ovenu: Oven valeting franchise has training course accredited
Oven cleaning and valeting franchise Ovenu has had its training programme approved by the British Accreditation Bureau.

Web exclusive: Aire Serv: Franchise expands into North West
Aire Serv, which provides heating, air conditioning and refrigeration services to the domestic and commercial market, has expanded into the North West. Owned by franchisee Derek Tierney Aire Serv North West is based in Warrington and will serve the Warrington, Widnes, Runcorn and St. Helens areas.

Web exclusive: MyHome Residential Cleaning: Myhome International plc acquires plumbing franchise
Myhome International plc has acquired DSH Services Ltd (DSH), which operates the plumbing and drainage franchise Plumbxpress.

Web exclusive: Subway Sandwiches: The Subway chain opens 1000th store
Subway, a submarine sandwich franchise, has opened its 1000th store in the UK and Ireland.

Web exclusive: Snappy Snaps: Snappy Snaps launches summer advertising campaign.
Snappy Snaps, a photo and digital specialist franchise, has launched a new advertising campaign in London.

Web exclusive: Distribution Unlimited: Company aiming to attract more female franchisee
Distribution Unlimited, a leaflet distribution franchise, has created a dress made from leaflets to encourage more women to join its franchise.

Web exclusive: Attiva: New franchise is launched in Andover
Attiva, a health and fitness centre franchise, has launched an outlet in Andover. The branch was opened by husband and wife franchisees Andrew and Helen White last June.

Web exclusive: easyHotel: Hotel chain launches first UK franchise
easyHotel, a hotel chain that is part of the easyGroup company and aims to provide value for money accommodation, has launched its first UK franchise.

Web exclusive: Baguette Express: Sandwich bar launches first franchise in England
Baguette Express, a sandwich bar franchise, has opened its first outlet in England.

Web exclusive: Fastsigns International: Former franchisee appointed managing director
Fastsigns, a company that creates sign and graphic products, has promoted former franchisee Garth Allison to managing director of UK operations.

Web exclusive: All Fired Up Ceramics: Cafe chain opens sixth franchise
All Fired Up Ceramics Café has opened its sixth store in Canterbury. The shop was opened by franchisee Alex Irvine, who was previously a science teacher, last Easter.

Web exclusive: BB's Coffee & Muffins: Coffee chain franchise wins award
Coffee shop chain BB's Coffee & Muffins has won the top prize at the British Sandwich Association's 2007 Sammies Awards.

Web exclusive: Recognition Express: Franchise launches its fourth annual Recognition Awards
Recognition Express, a company that designs and creates corporate recognition products, has launched its fourth annual Recognition Awards.

Web exclusive: Coffee Republic: Announcement of Two Major Deals
Coffee Republic, the independent coffee and deli bar operator, has announced that agreements have been reached with CR Coffee Houses Limited for the Master Franchise Agreement for Northern Ireland and Eire and with East Coast Traders Ltd for the UK Regional Development Franchise for the territory of East Anglia.

Web exclusive: Fastsigns International: Fastsigns franchise celebrates 12th anniversary
The Fastsigns Crawley branch is celebrating its 12th anniversary. Owned by franchisee Richard Jameson, Fastsigns Crawley specialises in supplying organisations in the area with an extensive range of signage including indoor and outdoor banners, vehicle graphics and pop-up displays.

Web exclusive: Drain Doctor: 24-hour plumbing company sells its Brighton franchise
Drain Doctor Plumbing, which provides a 24-hour plumbing service throughout the UK, has sold its Brighton franchise.

Web exclusive: Autosheen: Autosheen cleans up Bedfordshire's Streets
Autosheen, the UK's leading national mobile valeting organisation, joined forces with Bedfordshire Police and the Road Victims Trust on Sunday 24th June - to clean up the Bedfordshire streets - in more ways than one.

Web exclusive: Martin & Co: Lettings company opens new franchise in Newport
Lettings company Martin & Co has opened a new branch in Newport through franchisees Neil Williams and Lisa Williams.

Web exclusive: Domino's Pizza Group: franchise owner wins award
The owner of four Domino's Pizza franchises has won an award for his outstanding business achievements in the hospitality and catering industry.

Web exclusive: Voucher Packs: A chance to join the advertising industry
A popular service in demand by businesses across the UK, Voucher Packs is expanding its direct mail business via franchising.

Web exclusive: Coffee Republic: Coffee Republic agrees Dorset deal
Coffee Republic, a UK based coffee shop chain, has agreed a regional development franchise deal for the Dorset area. The deal was made with CR Dorset Ltd and will see the company expand Coffee Republic in the Dorset region.

Web exclusive: Rosemary Conley Diet and Fitness Clubs: Rosemary Conley stars in TV series
Rosemary Conley CBE who owns the Rosemary Conley Diet and Fitness Clubs franchise is to appear in her own television series.

Web exclusive: SureCare: Home care franchise looking to expand
SureCare provides professional home care for the elderly and with almost 30 outlets in the UK it is aiming to expand further.

Web exclusive: Maoz: Chelsea Flower Show Silver medal awarded to Scenic Blue
Scenic Blue a landscape gardening franchise has won the silver medal at this year RHS Chelsea Flower Show. The company gained the prize for their design of an environmentally and ethically aware domestic garden that was visited by British Franchise Association President Sir Bernard Ingham.

Web exclusive: Baguette Express: Baguette Express sponsors Edinburgh Marathon
BAGUETTE Express, a snack franchise, has sponsored the Edinburgh Marathon. Baguette Express was established in 1999 and is operated by brothers Robin and Billy Stenhouse.

Web exclusive: Beanscene: A passion for coffee and music
COFFEE and music house chain Beanscene has opened its second Beanscene Espresso in Edinburgh. The new outlet opened in South Gyle Business Park at the end of April brings the number of Beanscene stores across Scotland to 14. Additionally the company has launched a franchise strategy with the aim to open up to 45 outlets throughout Scotland within the next three years.

Web exclusive: EPI International: Revolutionising the Performance Improvement Industry
Epi International has been saving businesses significant costs for more than 10 years. Working with clients of all shapes and sizes in both the commercial and "not for profit" sectors, epi and its team of franchised consultants have identified client savings on goods and services purchased amounting to many, many millions of pounds.

Web exclusive: Vantana Limited: TV signings get blinding thumbs up
THE decision by Scottish-based blind manufacturers Vantana to sign up TV design duo Colin McAllister and Justin Ryan appears to be paying off.

Web exclusive: BB's Coffee & Muffins: BB's toasts success at the 'Sammies'
BB's Coffee & Muffins was awarded a top prize in the British Sandwich Association's 2007 Sammies Awards in recognition of the outstanding success of its sandwich sales, led by the introduction of a new Bloomer Toastie range. BB's were named 'Coffee Bar Sandwich Retailer of the Year'.

Web exclusive: Dyno Group: Dyno group in top 50 places to work
DYNO group has been placed within the top 50 list of places to work in the UK.

Web exclusive: Signs Express: BSGA appoints new President
THE Director of Signs Express has been inaugurated as the President of the British Sign & Graphics Association (BSGA), the sign industry's trade association.

Web exclusive: Plumb Xpress: Plumb Xpress launches telephone book territories
Plumb Xpress launched its management franchise opportunity at the recent British & International Franchise Exhibition (at Olympia, London in March) and is seeking high-calibre candidates who can turn their business into a viable one quickly with support. "We have developed an opportunity with huge potential thanks to the size of our territories,"reflects Franchise Manager Dawn Witt. "Each franchisee will get a large territory as defined by a whole Yellow Pages and the corresponding postcodes in Thomson directories."

Web exclusive: British Franchise Association (BFA): bfa seeks top franchisees
THE British Franchise Association (bfa) is searching for Britain's five top performing franchisees to take part in the bfa Franchisee of the Year Awards 2007.

Web exclusive: Auditel: Helping smaller businesses
AUDITEL, the cost and purchase management franchised consultancy, has launched a scheme to enable it to assist small companies in reducing costs.

Web exclusive: Mundays Solicitors: Running for Great Britain
A Legal Executive for Mundays Solicitors is due to represent Great Britain by competing in the Duathlon event at the World Championships and the European Championships.

Web exclusive: Dial-A-Rad: Dial-A-Rad set to launch first wave of franchisees
Dial-A-Rad has revealed to The Franchise Magazine that its first three franchisees are preparing to launch. The company has been established since 1981 and has launched a franchise expansion programme to develop a national network of automotive car radiator specialists.

Web exclusive: Apollo Blinds: Apollo Blinds winners Waltz over to Vienna
APOLLO Blinds awarded its top performing franchisees with a trip to Vienna.

Web exclusive: Attiva: Former retail manager opens first Attiva club in Andove
Attiva, one of the UK's fastest growing health and fitness franchises, is pleased to announce the opening of a new club in Andover. Former retail manager and fitness enthusiast Andrew White and his wife Helen will open the doors to the gym in the Andover town centre on 9 June 2007.

Web exclusive: Caremark: Caremark appoints two Franchise Managers
THE Managing Director of Caremark has appointed two Franchise Managers to complement the head office team.

Web exclusive: TaxAssist Accountants: TaxAssist re-launches Franchise Management Systems
TAXASSIST Accountants and Baker Tilly will re-launch their Franchise Management Systems at the bfa Annual Conference this month. The Franchise Management Systems promotes a local relationship with franchisees and allows a close accountant/client relationship to develop on a one to one basis. The system also benefits franchisors as its flexible reporting functions include financial and non-financial data that allows group reporting, bench marking, regional comparisons and measurement against franchisees business plans.

Web exclusive: D&R: Franchising set to revolutionise the marketing industry
A marketing agency is set to change how its industry operates...by launching a franchise opportunity. The agency, D+R, is run by David Dean, who reveals: "We're looking for 35-45 year olds who want to do something with the potential to earn serious money. Our franchisees will expect to earn £80,000 in their first 18 months, which is achievable from signing just 10 clients."

Web exclusive: Daily Poppins: Daily Poppins expands across the country
Daily Poppins, a domestic cleaning franchise, is due to launch its 18th franchise in July, covering Peterborough. The company has been expanding throughout the year with franchises opening in Oxford city centre, Wallingford, Oxfordshire and Barnet and Enfield, north London.

Web exclusive: London House (Services): London House sees growth in national contract business
London House is reporting a significant rise in work volumes this year for its franchisee network, which has led to network-wide growth and the recruitment of a new investigator at its head office operation.

Web exclusive: Travel Counsellors: Travel Counsellors launches new training programme
Independent travel agency Travel Counsellors is launching its training programme thetravelacademy. The 12-month programme allows people from outside the travel industry to join the company as Travel Counsellor Associates.

Web exclusive: Coffee Republic: Director of Coffee Republic steps down
The Director of Coffee Republic Brian Carroll has announced that he is leaving the company to pursue other entrepreneurial activities.

Web exclusive: In-toto Kitchens: In-toto appoint regional franchise manager
In-toto, a kitchen specialist, has appointed a new regional franchise manger. Andrew Best will join Pam Berry and Steve Saunders as part of the franchise management team, and he will be responsible for the Midlands and south West regions.

Web exclusive: MyHome Residential Cleaning: Myhome appoints Group Franchise Operations Director
Myhome Board of Directors has announced that Clive Smith has joined the senior management team as Group Franchise Operations Director. Clive Smith, previously spent 15 years working for Dyno Group, has joined Myhome at a time when the company recorded a strong six-month period.

Web exclusive: Plumb Local: Why PlumbLocal? Kev Stevely tells us...
"I was previously in the forces, which was quite a stressful job and involved management. I wanted to get back to basics with a hands-on job but still be working with people using my skills and to build on my experience."

Web exclusive: ElecLocal: Why ElecLocal? Franchisee Darren Sellers tells us...
"Initially I was going to try and launch a business of my own as an electrician but after investigating it I found that it was not as easy as I thought it would be...

Web exclusive: Molly Maid UK: Molly Maid launches new website
cleaning franchise Molly Maid has re-launched its website, which includes new services and information for customers as well as franchisees. One feature of the new website is a password protected section that will enable franchisees to communicate with the Molly Maid Support Office.

Web exclusive: yourhomepagein: 'Dragon' on hunt for entrepreneurs
Rachel Elnaugh, one of the UK's best known businesswomen and star of the BBC's Dragons' Den, is on the hunt for entrepreneurs to take on the challenge of launching and running a new, online web-based directory and information resource for local people in all areas of the UK.

Web exclusive: YOUR MOVE: reflects on success at national franchise conference
YOUR MOVE franchisees from across the UK and senior management from Your Move and LSL Property Services plc, the parent company, met at the Hilton Metropole in Birmingham for the YOUR MOVE national franchising conference.

Web exclusive: Recognition Express: Franchisees awarded for their business performance
Recognition Express congratulates its franchisees for winning awards acknowledging their performances for the franchise.

Web exclusive: EPI International: Revolutionary support system available to franchisees
epi, a cost reduction franchise offering clients performance improvement solutions, has launched a new franchise support system called MyEpiCentre.com