Latest franchise news:

Web exclusive: Signs Express: Signs Express appoints two new managers
Signs Express has appointed a new National Accounts Manager and IT Manager at its Norwich head office.

Web exclusive: First Choice Business Brokers: Franchise announces European expansion
First Choice Business Brokers (FCBB) USA has started its European expansion and is on the look out for prospective UK franchisees to purchase a UK Master Franchise. FCBB hopes to expand into Spain, France and Germany with a long-term goal to expand throughout other European countries.

Web exclusive: Gymboree: Gymboree has celebrity following
Children’s play and music franchise Gymboree is receiving free publicity through celebrity parents who enjoy bringing their children to Gymboree classes. Former lead singer, songwriter and guitarist of the band Bush, Gavin Rossdale attends classes with his two-year-old son Kingston as does GMTV’s Ben Shepherd with his son.

Web exclusive: The Little Gym: Stoke-based franchise celebrates second birthday
The Little Gym based in Stoke has celebrated its second birthday with over 400 local children participating in its specially designed gymnastics programme.

Web exclusive: Fastsigns International: FASTSIGNS centres rewarded for success
Signage and graphics franchise FASTSIGNS has awarded two of its 23 UK centres with the ‘Pacesetter’ status. Chelmsford-based franchise owner Jenny Boreham and Lindsay and Paul Allison who operate FASTSIGNS Sheffield and Chesterfield received the accolade for their outstanding sales achievements.

Web exclusive: The Little Gym: The Little Gym announces nationwide expansion plan
Children’s curriculum gymnastics franchise, The Little Gym, has announced its plans to launch three new UK centres this autumn. Planning permission has been granted for a centre in the new Westfield Shopping Centre based in Kensington and Chelsea and one in Harpenden and another in Harrogate.

Web exclusive: Costa Coffee: Costa Coffee employee wins WOW! Award
Former BBC Dragon Rachel Elnaugh has nominated a Costa Coffee employee based at the M1 Tibshelf Services for a WOW! Award. Retail Supervisor Annette Campbell was presented with the award as a thank you for her excellent customer service.

Web exclusive: Recognition Express: Business increases for Recognition Express
A Recognition Express franchise has seen it business boom due to orders for badges. The West Yorkshire Recognition Express franchise has received orders from new clients including health and beauty store chain Savers for 2,500 name badges and the Bradford Community for 1,000 name badges.

Web exclusive: ORCA: Web design franchise set to expand nationwide
Web design franchise ORCA Websites has launched its nationwide recruitment drive and wants to attract prospective franchisees that possess good business management and people skills.

Web exclusive: Paw Pals: Paw Pals seeks animal lovers to join network
Pet sitter franchise Paw Pals is on the look out for prospective franchisees to help the company with its nationwide expansion plan. Candidates should ideally be business-minded animal lovers with good communication skills.

Web exclusive: Castle Estates: Castle Estates Franchisee ahead of schedule
Residential Lettings Agency Castle Estates has reported that its North Leeds based franchise which launched in February earlier this year, is already ahead of schedule.

Web exclusive: Totally Dynamic: Franchise selected to wrap Nike’s European Golf vehicle
Vehicle wrapping franchise Totally Dynamic has been selected to wrap global sport brand Nike’s pilot European Golf Tour Vehicle and give it a new look. The vehicle will house Nike’s top officials at the tournaments and a state-of-the-art workshop for the golf technician, who will tailor the club design to players like Tiger Woods needs.

Web exclusive: Apollo Blinds: New General Manager for Apollo Blinds franchise
Apollo Blinds has announced the appointment of a new General Manager, Gary Chambers (pictured, right). Gary’s role will be to develop a range of initiatives to give Apollo Blinds’ franchisees the opportunity to increase sales. Gary’s previous role was within Apollo Blinds’ parent company, window blind manufacturer Hunter Douglas.

Web exclusive: Cash Converters: Cash Converters Charity Golf day raises £10,000
Pre-owned goods franchise Cash Converters has announced that its Charity Golf Day held at Market Drayton Golf Club raised £10,000 for children’s charity Dreams Come True. A charity auction followed the golf tournament and had golf memorabilia prizes donated by Nick Price and Fijian legend Vijay Singtha and a signed Manchester United Home 2006-2007 season shirt.

Web exclusive: Living Clean: Living Clean franchise launches in North Norfolk
Eco-friendly cleaning service Living Clean has welcomed a new franchisee, Sandra Neto to its network. Sandra has purchased the North Norfolk territory. Originally from Portugal, Sandra decided to move to England in 2006 and since then has worked as a professional cleaner. With help from non-profit organisation WEETU (Women’s Employment, Enterprise & Training Unit), Sandra was introduced to Living Clean founder Julie Bishop.

Web exclusive: VIP Bin Cleaning Ltd: Be Franchising buys North East licence
Bin cleaning franchise VIP Bin Cleaning has sold its North East operations licence to franchise advice group Be Franchising. The launch of the bin cleaning franchise in the North East promises to create approximately 50 new jobs by the end of 2009.

Web exclusive: BMI Hose (UK) Ltd: BMI Hose replacement centre opened
On-site hose replacement franchise BMI officially opened its new Hose Replacement Centre in Cramlington, Newcastle on Tyne with help from Newcastle United FC’s Shay Given. The event gave BMI Hose (UK) Limited Chief Executive Simon Moxham the opportunity to announce the company’s rapid expansion, with plans to open 12 hose centres in 2008.

Web exclusive: MRI Network Worldwide: Franchise announces winner of Office of the Year award
Recruitment franchise MRINetwork Worldwide has presented franchisees from its UK and European network with awards recognising their achievements over the last 12 months. The gala awards dinner took place during the MRINetwork annual conference in Athens.

Web exclusive: Greensleeves: Greensleeves is seeking new franchisees
Lawn care franchise Greensleeves has been bought out by a new management team and is looking for prospective franchisees to help with its UK expansion plans. Priority locations are sited in the Midlands through to the Home Counties.

Web exclusive: DCM Money Solutions: DCM Money Solutions recruits new franchisee
DCM Money Solutions franchise welcomes franchisee Kevin O’Conner (pictured right) to the network. Prior to joining DCM Kevin worked in a Utility Management Company as a credit controller and has spent the majority of his working life in finance.

Web exclusive: Papa John's Pizza: Online Papa John’s pizza sales hit £100,000 in UK
Pizza franchise Papa John’s has seen its weekly online sales figure reach £100,000 for the first time. This record sales figure demonstrates a 178 per cent increase from 2006’s weekly average and mirrors the company’s achievement on the other side of the Atlantic. In the US the company managed to break the $1 billion mark for online sales in the first week of May.

Web exclusive: Westaff: Successful launch for Westaff Recruitment Franchise
The launch of Westaff’s new recruitment sector franchise has been well received at the Franchise Show. The new franchise opportunity has sparked interest from Show visitors and generated numerous visits to the Westaff website.

Web exclusive: ORCA: Operations Director for ORCA franchise
Small business website provider, ORCA websites, has announced the appointment of Steve Elles (pictured right) as Operations Director to help the company continue its nationwide recruitment drive.

Web exclusive: Card Connection: Four franchisees receive cash reward for referrals
Greeting card publisher and distributor Card Connection has announced that four of its franchisees have been rewarded with £500 for recommending friends and family to join the franchise network and purchase their own territory.

Web exclusive: Mahmoods: Halal takeaway franchise launch
Halal burger bar and takeaway franchise Mahmoods has launched its franchise opportunity after consulting Franchise Development Services Northern (FDS Northern).

Web exclusive: Complete Weed Control: Complete Weed Control franchise territories for sale
Complete Weed Control (CWC) seeks new franchisees to take on the remaining territories available, which include Edinburgh, North Wales, West Wales and some areas of London. The opportunity will allow prospective franchisees to run their own business in an exclusive area with repeat business.

Web exclusive: Hell Pizza: New franchisees sought to help with its expanion plans
Hell Franchising is on the look out for new franchisees after announcing its plans to expand its pilot Hell Pizza operation based in Fulham, London. Through franchising the company hopes to launch 25 to 30 more restaurants across the capital in the next two and a half years, before branching out to other cities across the UK.

Web exclusive: Ovenu: Ovenu franchisee offers new service for military person
An Ovenu franchisee has launched a new oven cleaning service specifically designed for military families based in Aldershot. Franchisee Les Davis operates in the Camberley, Sandhurst, Farnborough, Farnham and Aldershot area.

Web exclusive: The Little Gym: Sixth franchise is opened in Bishop Stortford
The Little Gym is to continue its expansion across the UK and has opened its sixth children’s gym facility in Bishop Stortford. The Little Gym intends to open nine more gyms within the next 10-12 months situated in Basingstoke, Beaconsfield, Guildford, Hampstead, Harpenden, Harrogate, Kensington, Weybridge and Windsor.

Web exclusive: Drain Doctor: Drain Doctor Plumbing customer becomes franchisee
Drain Doctor Plumbing’s focus on customer service attracts another franchisee. Sel Fayyad a previous Drain Doctor customer has purchased the South London Drain Doctor territory that covers Croydon, Brixton, Battersea, Camberwell and the surrounding area.

Web exclusive: Signs Express: Double celebration for Signs Express franchise
Staff at Signs Express, Milton Keynes are celebrating 13 years of success and the completion of a signage project for the Sports Hall at Milton Keynes College. The 13 years of productive business have been marked by the move to a new premises and larger production unit, situated not far from the company’s previous location on Alston Drive, Bradwell Abbey.

Web exclusive: Riverford Organic Vegetables: 100th franchisee for Riverford Organic Vegetables
Organic vegetable box scheme Riverford Organic Vegetables has signed its 100th franchisee, Dave Hanlon. Dave will distribute seasonal vegetables to customers across Stockport and Macclesfield.

Web exclusive: Drain Doctor: Drain Doctor welcomes new franchisee
Drain Doctor plumbing has welcomed new franchisee Michael Burrows to the network. Michael purchased the Leicester franchise and will provide emergency plumbing and drainage repairs to residents within the city and surrounding villages. Prior to joining Drain Doctor, Michael was a soldier with the 1st Battalion Royal Green Jackets and supervisor in a plumbing business, managing a team of 12

Web exclusive: Card Connection: Four franchisees purchase second territory in 12 months
Greeting card publisher and supplier Card Connection has announced that four of its franchisees have purchased an additional territory in the last 12 months. The fourth franchisee to double their territory size is Paul Davis. He owns the Chelmsford territory and recently acquired the Colchester territory.

Web exclusive: WSI: Online advertising spending to reach £3 billion
Research conducted by Internet consultant firm, WSI has found that money spent on online advertising is set to increase by almost 23 per cent this year, making the total spent in excess of £3 billion.

Web exclusive: Rush: Rush announces UK expansion plans
Award-winning hair salon franchise Rush is on the look out for new franchisees to help with its rapid expansion plans to open 20 new salons this year, increasing to over 200 over the next five years. Rush’s Director of Franchising John Murphy is responsible for supervising the company’s expansion.

Web exclusive: Ovenu: Ovenu welcomes new franchisee
Professional oven cleaning company Ovenu welcomes its newest franchisee Christine Peel from Northumberland.

Web exclusive: Medics on the Move: Medics on the Move seeks franchisees
Property services franchise Medics on the Move seeks new franchisees to aid its nationwide expansion. Prospective franchisees require excellent customer service skills; need to be well organised and practical. A background in the property industry is not necessary as full training is provided.

Web exclusive: Ayton Global Research: UK research business seeks international franchisees
The business-to-business UK based franchise Ayton Global Research (AGR) is currently looking to recruit franchisees to aid its international expansion. Founded in 1995, Ayton Global Research provides a lightening-speed, accurate, safe and user-friendly online research facilities for businesses worldwide.

Web exclusive: HiQ: HiQ announces expansion plans and marketing investment
Vehicle servicing and tyre fast fit network HiQ seeks new franchisees to help with its new accelerated expansion plan and has unveiled its largest marketing investment, with the three-year sponsorship of the British Touring Car Championship. HiQ intends to transfer the existing company-owned stores into 15 regional zones, which can be operated by a franchise partner.

Web exclusive: Fastsigns International: FASTSIGNS announces winner of Sales Improvement Award
FASTSIGNS has announced Mark Phelps as its winner of the Sales Improvement Award at the company’s 11th annual franchise meeting. Mark has operated the Kingston upon Thames franchise since 2005 and recently acquired a second FASTSIGNS franchise in Staines.

Web exclusive: Prontaprint: Business partners create PRONTAPRINT’s largest group
Business partners Marios Maratheftis and Colin Greaves (pictured left (L-R)) have taken over the ownership of a Prontaprint franchise in Leicester...the print and design centre where they began their careers over 20 years ago!

Web exclusive: PCC (Professional Car Cleaning): PCC franchisee secures Renault Ride & Drive contract
Professional Car Cleaning (PCC) franchisee Peter Carmichael (pictured right) has secured a substantial contract from Renault R&D to valet around 500 vehicles over six months at venues across the UK as the Renault Ride & Drive Road Show season gets underway. Peter, who celebrates his two year anniversary with the rapidly expanding PCC network this summer, is being supported on the project by his neighbouring franchisee Wayne Ward.

Web exclusive: Recognition Express: THE TIME IS RIGHT
Recognition Express has launched a new franchise in Nottingham West covering Nottingham and Derby, through franchisee Des Rennell.

Web exclusive: Certax Accounting: TARGET: £350k pa
Rugby based Certax Accounting franchisee David Nicoll has reached a new milestone for the company’s franchisee network by becoming its largest single operation.

Web exclusive: Chemex International: Chemex strengthens head office team
Cleaning and hygiene specialist Chemex International is strengthening its management team as part of its continuing expansion. The company has appointed James Trahearn and Ron Hutton (pictured (L-R) above) as a Non-Executive Director and Sales Director respecitively, while an additional Non-Executive Director with extensive chemical and hygiene industry experience is being sought to add further impetus to the organisation.

Web exclusive: Apollo Blinds: Apollo Blinds aims for ‘wow factor’
Apollo Blinds’ newly launched collection of Roman blinds has been well received by the company’s network of franchisees across the UK. The range, developed by the team at Apollo Blinds led by Helen Kilvington, was designed to be bold and provide franchisees with a collection book which would excite their customers.

Web exclusive: Forces Recruitment Services: New forces franchise launches
Forces Recruitment Services has launched a national franchisee recruitment programme to build on the success of its two pilot frachisees. The company, which was the first commercial recruitment consultancy set up with the sole purpose of placing ex-military candidates, has helped to resettle hundreds of servicemen and women since its launch in 2001.

Web exclusive: EmbroidMe: EmbroidMe World President launches UK roll out
Global franchise brand EmbroidMe, which originated in the USA and has established international franchise operations in Canada, the Caribbean, Australia, New Zealand, Spain, the Netherlands and Ireland, has added momentum to the launch of its first UK store earlier this year with the visit of the network’s World President Mark Johnson.

Web exclusive: Advanced Media Information: AMI supplies 25th unit to Hilton Hotel
Advanced Media Information (AMI) has announced the installation of its 25th touch screen kiosk. The company, which was established in 2007, offers franchisees the opportunity to supply hotels with a multi-lingual electronic concierge system which provides guests with recommendations, directions and distances to local restaurants, bars, clubs, shops, chemists, taxis and attractions.

Web exclusive: The Business Booster: Franchisor writes book For Dummies
The publishers of the For Dummies series, the worldwide best-selling series of reference books, are releasing a UK version of Selling For Dummies with the help of a sales specialist from the franchise field.

Web exclusive: MortgageForce: ‘Major industry coup’ for Mortgage Force
Mortgage broker franchise Mortgage Force has been named Best Large Mortgage Firm 2008 at the Financial Adviser Mortgage Awards. This is the second year running that the award has been given to Mortgage Force, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the West Bromwich Building Society and has over 180 franchised offices nationwide.

Web exclusive: Merry Maids: Merry Maids names top franchisees
Merry Maids has announced the winners of its Dallen Peterson Founders Award. Presented with the award at the annual Merry Maids Seminar, Newbury franchisees Carrie and Phil Hillen won in recognitioon of their “highest achievement in pursuit of excellence and professional management”.

Web exclusive: Belvoir Lettings: 4 new franchisees launch with Belvoir
Lettings agency Belvoir has launched four new franchises based in Ilford, Sitcup, Otley and Stirling and has six more opening this summer as part of its national expansion programme for 2008. The six due to open will be based in Newcastle under Lyne, Wigan, North Ayreshire, Stockport, Wolverhampton and Huddersfield.

Web exclusive: Subway Sandwiches: Subway beats Tesco to number one spot
sandwich bar franchise Subway, which now has over 1,100 locations operating in the UK, has become the leading sandwich retailer in the country according to a report published by the British Sandwich Association in May. The international quick service brand tallied up sales of £300 million, nearly twice that of the second-placed retailer Tesco.

Web exclusive: Filtafry Plus (Filta Group): New appointment leads new FiltaFry recruitment drive
Fryer management service FiltaFry has appointed a new Franchise Manager with a mission to grow its franchise network through the recruitment of entrepreneurial individuals with vision and ambition.

Web exclusive: CeX: Franchisee Zuber Patel, Huddersfield
I had been working in the family newsagents business for 12 years so working for myself was not a new concept. I made the transition to CeX when I was forced to close down my Leeds based newsagents shop after the lease had expired and could not be extended. I sought a new challenge in a diverse market with a large customer base that could be put on the high street and CeX fitted the criteria.

Web exclusive: Jani-King (GB): Jani-King Franchisee David McNeil
“I couldn't seem to dream up a unique or creative enough idea for my own business and in order to succeed you need a proposition that stands out from the rest of the market,” says David. “Many franchises are limited in terms of how you can grow the business and that doesn't suit my aspirations. Jani-King is not the most glamorous business, but it definitely has the potential for growth. Everywhere needs cleaning!”

Web exclusive: Expense Reduction Analysts: Nigel Rosehil Expense Reduction Analysts, Essex
Now I can see my children grow up

Web exclusive: MortgageForce: Nicholas Young Mortgage Force, Bradford
I should have done this sooner!

Web exclusive: The Business Booster: Simon Taylor The Business Booster, Tamworth
A fantastic package to offer my clients

Web exclusive: Hydro-Dynamix: Adam Tester, Maidstone and Ashford
Before I became a Hydro-Dynamix franchisee I worked as a manager at a distribution centre, working 14 hour shifts four days a week. Unhappy with the way the company treated its employees I decided the only solution was to be my own boss.

Web exclusive: Caremark: Bejal Shah Caremark, Redbridge
I’m very excited about starting my business

Web exclusive: Caremark: Farina Tayub Caremark, Leeds East
Every day is different

Web exclusive: Caremark: Kate Torrens Caremark, Kensigton & Chelsea
There is a very positive energy in Caremark

Web exclusive: River Nene Organic Vegetables: Stephen Sproule Rivernene, North Norfolk
Franchising provides the safety net

Web exclusive: Molly Maid UK: Andy Crewe MOLLY MAID, Doncaster
A new lease of life away from Bob the Builder!

Web exclusive: The Quantum Organisation: Clive Mallard The Quantum Organisation, Maidstone
I could never go back to the corporate world

Web exclusive: Dream Doors: Helen Mahon Dream Doors, Norwich
The flexibility means I can see more of my children

Web exclusive: London House (Services): A day in the life of Brian Hughes, London House
You must have common sense, be open-minded and never assume anything

Web exclusive: Recognition Express: Stuart Fisher, Recognition Express, Harrow
Six months into my business and I am well on my way to reaching my projected first year turnover. After working for 25 years in accountancy and finance I craved a new challenge and saw franchising as a low risk way of being able to work for myself. I would be using a proven business model and would have ongoing support and guidance to hand if needed.