The Franchise Magazine FULL INDEX

March 2007 Edition

Page 10: Franchise Development Services (FDS): Ask the Panel - Your questions answered
If you have an issue you would like our panel to address, mark your email/letter "passed for print"and be aware that it may be edited for length. Please note we can't promise individual responses.

Page 14: Molly Maid UK: Run a Molly Maid franchise and you'll clean up
The domestic cleaning market is worth £2billion+ and is growing fast

Page 18: Dessange International: Manage the growth of a premier beauty brand
Dessange International, founded in Paris in the 1950s, has revolutionised and modernised the world of hairdressing with its total beauty care concept. A world leader with 1,000 salons in 45 countries, the company is seeking visionary partners to expand the brand into the UK and Ireland as Master Franchisees. Rachel Spaul reports

Page 22: Auntie Anne's: A hot new franchise food opportunity
A global US brand that spans 12 countries, Auntie Anne's is seeking to revolutionise the snack industry in the UK with its healthier option pretzels. Stuart Anderson interviews the principals behind this exciting opportunity and its first franchisee

Page 24: Mail Boxes Etc: MBE Women in franchising
Specialist business services franchise Mail Boxes Etc. now has a network of over 100 'one-stop-shops' in high streets and main shopping centres across the UK. The company introduces two of its franchisees

Page 26: Papa John's Pizza: Taste success with the US No. 1 pizza delivery chain
Having risen to the top of the US pizza market with its 'Better Ingredients Better Pizza' pledge, Papa John's is expanding its UK network with the aim of establishing its pizza as the nation's favourite. Rachel Spaul reports

Page 30: Apollo Blinds: Apollo Blinds has the 'ooh' factor
It's official: Apollo Blinds has the 'ooh' factor. And its newest franchisees noticed the 'ooh' factor within days of opening their doors. Paul Kirby reports

Page 32: Northwood Residential Lettings: Why we invested in northwood...
If you had told us three years ago that we could own a business generating nearly £200k in its second year of trading we would have told you that you were crazy but the fact is, that's exactly what we have achieved!

Page 35: Bluebird Care: A successful franchise business...
We will match your desire to succeed with every member of the Bluebird Care Franchise Team working to turn your ambition into business reality...

Page 37: TaxAssist Accountants: 'A recipe for success'
After just two years since the launch of his business, TaxAssist Accountants franchisee Mark Linney has recently opened his second shop-front premises. Adam Browning reports

Page 39: London House (Services): 'I've never looked back'
After more than a decade as a London House franchisee, Trevor Williams still thoroughly enjoys providing risk control services to private and commercial customers. Rachel Spaul interviews

Page 40: Belvoir Lettings: A brand with potential
Belvoir Recruitment Manager Julie Taylor explains how Belvoir, the UK's leading lettings specialist, is looking forward to another highly successful year in 2007

Page 41: Plumb Local: Solid training...Solid support
Part of the Local Services Group, PlumbLocal provides a serious opportunity for business builders, as franchisee Paul Wormald has found out in only seven months since his launch. Adam Browning reports.

Page 48: Dublcheck: Massive market
Dublcheck is your route into the lucrative, multi-billion pound commercial cleaning sector, as Founder Carol Stewart-Gill tells Rachel Spaul

Page 64: Surelet: Improve your profits and your lifestyle with Surelet
With an improved and tested business system, Surelet has developed a franchise offering fast returns on investment while maintaining quality of life. Geoff Dobson explains

Page 68: Sonic Golf: First Sonic Golf franchisees tee off
A machine that cleans golf clubs is a simple concept and an equally simple business model with substantial opportunity for growth and return on investment. Rachel Spaul interviews the first Sonic Golf franchisees

Page 76: CeX: Invest in a business that you will enjoy
An exciting and fast-paced retail opportunity, CeX provides a real opportunity to develop a network of high-tech gadget stores. Adam Browning reports

Page 86: World's Best Property Club: Wealth through property
World's Best Property Club frachisees take an original approach to creating wealth through the property market by developing lasting relationships with the buyers. Stuart Anderson reports

Page 92: Printing.com (UK): Andy Hart, Printing.com, Glasgow South
In 2004 I recognised a need to expand my horizons and felt that with no experience of running a larger business I would benefit from the backing of a successful franchise.

Page 93: Crime Shield: An exciting opportunity to make security your business
Join a rapidly growing network of franchises providing a unique range of products. The franchise offers a business that advises on and installs physical security products and solutions. Based on the highly regarded CRIME SHIELD brand, franchisees benefit from extensive business experience and proven marketing success

Page 94: Swisher: Terry Iles, Swisher, Swindon
It was the unique service, low investment and extensive support that attracted me to Swisher four years ago. To go it alone after working in employment for 35 years was a difficult decision, but I found Swisher to be an excellent franchise in the way it was organised.

Page 95: All Trades Networks: Andy Lerer, All Trades, Essex
After 20 years working as a senior manager in the corporate world and having my own property development business, I was looking for a management franchise opportunity to start up my own business.

Page 96: Molly Maid UK: Derek Ward, Molly Maid, York and Harrogate
I'm really very happy with Molly Maid, it's the best thing I've ever done. After being employed for 30 years, I wanted to work for myself but I wanted the support of a franchise and the security of a proven business.

Page 97: Apollo Blinds: Colin Smith, Apollo Blinds, Hull
Making our franchise a family business has been the key to our success, in my opinion. My wife Gill has worked with me since we invested in the franchise in Hull nearly eight years ago, and in the last five years our sons Chris and Phil have also joined the business.

Page 98: ActionCOACH: Mark Grant, ActionCOACH, London
I spent 28 years in retail and manufacturing, primarily buying for large blue chip organisations. When I was faced with redundancy I decided that although I had a lot to offer, I didn't want to work in corporate life again.

Page 100: Certax Accounting: David Nicoll, Certax, Daventry
I had spent 10 years working in London when I decided that I had had enough of the long daily commute. I looked at my opportunities and decided that I would go for it and work for myself.

Page 104: BB's Coffee & Muffins: Women in franchising
'We've always enjoyed working at BB's and love making coffee'... Taking on a franchise was the next step on the career ladder for enterprising BB's Coffee & Muffins employees Carli Horsburgh and Maria Hepburn. Rachel Spaul reports

Page 106: FDS Northern: Prospective Franchisee: Know Thyself
Starting a business from scratch is a gargantuan task. Entrepreneurs set to work with no initial training, no operations manual, no start-up package, no ongoing support, no guidance, no marketing support and no established brand identity. Only franchisees enjoy such benefits, which is why franchise ownership is so popular. FDS Northern Consultant Tony Urwin explains

Page 114: Auntie Anne's: Founders of franchising: Robert Burton - Auntie Anne's
Many of the famous US brands trading on UK the high streets today have been established through Master Franchise licences. Stuart Anderson interviews Robert Burton, who became a Master Franchisee for the second time when he took over pretzel chain Auntie Anne's last year

Page 118: Franchise Development Services (FDS): Franchise your business in France
The launch of a new Franchise Development Services Associate office is providing international franchisors with an opportunity to benefit from its wealth of experience in establishing franchise operations in France

Page 120: Keytek: Keytek: It's quality, not quantity...
With the recent achievement of ISO 9001:2000 accreditation, Keytek is seeking to maintain its position at the forefront of the locksmith industry via franchising. Gary Rigby interviews Managing Director Eddie Wilkinson

Page 124: Franchise Development Services (FDS): Is your business suitable for franchising?
The success or failure of a franchise venture can be traced back to the initial planning of its development. FDS Founder and Managing Director Roy Seaman reflects on how you should consider franchising your business

Page 126: Franchise Development Services (FDS): Discover franchises in a pressure-free environment
Looking for an experienced guide to the life-changing process of buying a franchise? FranMatch is a newly launched service which will introduce you to a range of interesting opportunities

Page 135: Venture Marketing Group: London Olympia hosts major franchising event
The British & International Franchise Exhibition, London Olympia is one of the major franchising events in the UK. Providing a whole host of new and exciting business opportunities from all over the world, this two day exhibition is a must attend event for entrepreneurs looking to start and run their own franchise business ventures

Page 139: MFV Expositions: Own a Franchise and transform your life.
We'll show you how.

Page 146: Venture Marketing Group: The Franchise Exhibition:Enterprising boost for Belfast
Thousands of Northern Ireland's budding entrepreneurs are expected to visit The Franchise Exhibition, which will feature many leading franchise companies at Belfast's Odyssey Arena

Latest franchise news:

Web exclusive: Iper Limited: Double your Franchise sales for the same cost
Technology is constantly leading innovation to adapt to the changes in today's market. For instance you wouldn't buy an 80's 'brick' phone when you can have a slimline modern mobile with all the added features. Why then are we content to use the same strategies to sell franchise territories that were being used in the eighties?

Web exclusive: Venture Marketing Group: THE BRITISH AND INTERNATIONAL FRANCHISE EXHIBITION
The British & International Franchise Exhibition, incorporating the Growing Your Own Business Exhibition and Conference, at Olympia, London on 23 and 24 March 2007 provides the ideal opportunity to find a diverse range of exciting new business opportunities from around the world.

Web exclusive: Sumo: SUMO scoops highways award
SUMO Services scooped its second major award of 2006 when it picked up the Highways Magazine Excellence Awards 'Innovative Maintenance Product of the Year'.

Web exclusive: Swisher: Swisher celebrates 10 years
Management franchise Swisher celebrates its 10 year anniversary this year. Established in the UK in 1997, Swisher has built an impressive reputation that has culminated in numerous awards including winning the 'Franchise Recruitment Team of the Year' Award 2006, a finalist position in the British Franchise Association's 'Franchisor of the Year' Award 2006, winning the 'HSBC Award for Enterprise' and second prize in the Daily Express 'Brand Builder' Award.

Web exclusive: ActionCOACH: Action International re-brands as 'ActionCOACH'
Action International has changed its name to ActionCOACH as part of a major re-branding exercise by the company, which has just been chosen as the world's top business consulting franchise for the fourth year in a row by Entrepreneur magazine.

Web exclusive: Apollo Blinds: Vienna awaits Apollo Blinds
A trip to Vienna awaits the winners of a new incentive scheme introduced by blind store chain Apollo Blinds, which will be taking its 15 top performing franchisees on a five star trip around Austria's capital city in May as a reward for achieving the most significant sales increases.

Web exclusive: Molly Maid UK: Molly Maid holds 4th National Convention
MOLLY MAID UK recently held its 4th National Convention at Shrigley Hall Hotel in Cheshire which overlooks 262 acres of rolling hills on the edge of the Peak District National Park. "A truly worthy venue for the backdrop to our ongoing commitment of bringing our Franchise Owners together to learn from each other and help them to improve their business"said Pam Bader OBE, Chief Executive of MOLLY MAID and past Chairman of the BFA.

Web exclusive: Expense Reduction Analysts: Competition winners announced
Expense Reduction Analysts (ERA) has announced the winners of its competition, with the three lucky winners collecting a Sony Digital Camcorder. An excellent response was received, with readers of The Franchise Magazine and attendees of the National Franchise Exhibition in Birmingham last October registering in high numbers. All entrants had to correctly answer a single question about the earning performance of an ERA franchise and to identify the highest recorded income of an ERA franchisee in their first year of trading. The correct answer, identified by most entrants, was over £90,000.

Web exclusive: Belvoir Lettings: Belvoir Lettings CEO appointed to bfa board
Mike Goddard, Chairman and Chief Executive of the specialist lettings franchise Belvoir Lettings, has been appointed to the board of the British Franchise Association (bfa).

Web exclusive: TaxAssist Accountants: More shop front offices open for TaxAssist Accountants
TaxAssist Accountants Alasdair MacLean and Wayne Strickland, who opened their first shop front style office in September 2005 in Dalkeith, have opened a second location in Leith, near Edinburgh

Web exclusive: Signs Express: New appointment at Signs Express
Leading signs and graphics franchise Signs Express has appointed Rebecca Dack to the position of Marketing & PR Manager. Leading the marketing team at the head office in Norwich, Rebecca's remit will include franchise recruitment marketing activity and franchisee support.

Web exclusive: Sonic Golf: Reader buys Sonic Golf franchise
Sales and distribution franchise Sonic Golf has awarded a franchise in Surrey to James Wengraf-Townsend, who signed the franchise agreement on 14th December after reading about the opportunity in The Franchise Magazine.

Web exclusive: MyHome Residential Cleaning: Myhome announces admission to AIM and Board changes
Myhome International plc, a UK multi-product, multi-branded franchise operator, has announced it has commenced trading on AIM. The company has also announced a number of board changes. Myhome International plc, a UK multi-product, multi-branded franchise operator, has announced it has commenced trading on AIM. The company has also announced a number of board changes.

Web exclusive: Molly Maid UK: Exceptional year for Molly Maid
MOLLY MAID has reported 13 new franchise owners joining its network and annual turnover growing in access of 10 per cent for 2006. Says Pam Bader, CEO, OBE and past President of the British Franchise Association:

Web exclusive: Crime Shield: Crime Shield takes new approach
Crime Shield Physical Security Solutions is launching what it calls "a new approach to physical security", offering advice and installation of a complete range of quality products to suit individual applications.

Web exclusive: Bluebird Care: Bluebird Care strengthens support
The burgeoning Bluebird Care network has appointed Karen Rubra as Care Manager to support its fast growing network of franchised domiciliary care businesses across the UK. Karen, who brings a wealth of experience to the post, has been with the company for some time but has been promoted to enable more management time to be spent supporting and developing franchisees.

Web exclusive: Aussie Pet Mobile: Aussie Pet Mobile to launch operations in the UK
Aussie Pet Mobile, the world's largest mobile pet grooming franchise, is set to launch in the UK. With a pet spending market worth £3.8 billion and growing, the UK presents an economic environment ripe for the Aussie Pet Mobile concept.