Latest franchise news:

Web exclusive: Riverford Organic Vegetables: Winner of 2007 Franchisee of the Year Award announced
Riverford Organic Vegetables, a franchise that delivers organically grown fruit and vegetables to customers door, has announced the winner of its 2007 Franchisee of the Year Award. Husband and wife team Russell and Vanessa Cook were presented with the 2007 Franchisee of the Year Award at the Annual Franchise Conference.

Web exclusive: Darwin Gray: Cardiff law franchise awarded bfa affiliated membership
Darwin Gray, a Cardiff based solicitors franchise, has been made a professional affiliated member of the British Franchising Association. Darwin Gray was awarded the affiliated membership for the quality of their franchising programme.

Web exclusive: Energie Fitness Clubs: energie Fitness Club signs new franchisee
energie Fitness Club has sold its Leighton Buzzard to ex-Light Dragoon Scott Wiseman.

Web exclusive: Card Connection: Greeting card publisher recruits two franchisees
Card Connection, a greeting card publisher and franchisor, has signed two new franchisees.

Web exclusive: All Fired Up Ceramics: Franchisee gains award
The Bournemouth Chamber of Trade and Commerce has awarded an All Fired Up Ceramics franchisee the Bournemouth Retail Award for Innovation 2007.

Web exclusive: Leaps and Bounds: Children's activity franchise looking to expand
Leaps and Bounds, a physical activity programme for children, is looking to expand its franchise. Founded in 2004 the Leaps and Bounds franchise was piloted by several franchisees, proven a success the company is looking to expand in all areas of the UK.

Web exclusive: The energie Group: Two fitness companies launch joint franchise scheme
Two companies in the fitness industry have joined together to create a youth fitness franchise scheme. The energie Group, a fitness club franchise, and SHOKK, a youth fitness company, have launched the SHOKK energie franchise.

Web exclusive: MyHome Residential Cleaning: Myhome takes over Stainbusters and Ferrum
Myhome International plc has completed takovers of two home services franchises: Stainbusters, which provides a stain removal and deep dry cleaning service on household furniture; and Ferrum, a dry cleaning and ironing business. The deal to take over Stainbusters, which has 35 franchised territories in the UK and Europe, cost MyHome £415,000. The company made an initial payment of £165,000 and further instalments are due in September 2008 and 2009.

Web exclusive: Coffee Republic: Franchise set to expand into East Anglia and Ireland
Coffee Republic, a coffee and deli bar chain, has signed two franchise agreements enabling it to expand into East Anglia and Ireland.

Web exclusive: David Reid Homes: International company looking for UK franchisees
David Reid Homes, a New Zealand based franchise, is aiming to expand into the UK.

Web exclusive: Equas SmartPro: Equas SmartPro is looking for franchisees
Equas SmartPro, which specialises in the design and implementation of Quality and Environmental Management Systems, has launched its first wave of franchisees, including Jonathan Lea.

Web exclusive: EPI International: Franchisee Questions: Nick Close, Worcester

Web exclusive: Auntie Anne's: Pretzel franchise expanding across UK
Auntie Anne's, a franchise that sells freshly made soft pretzels, is opening three new stores in Croydon, Derby and Dudley over the next six months. The company sold its Master Franchise for the UK and Ireland to Robert Burton just over a year ago. Since then the company has opened eight stores in the UK and, in addition to the three stores due to open, the company aims to launch a further 15 outlets by the end of next year.

Web exclusive: Recognition Express: Urges support of 'Proud to Franchise' campaign
Managing Director of Recognition Express and Chairman of the British Franchising Association (bfa), Nigel Toplis has urged bfa members to support its 'Proud to Franchise' campaign, which aims to raise the profile and prestige of being a franchisee.

Web exclusive: Eurodebt: New Sales and Business Development Manager appointed
EuroDebt Financial Services, a debt management company that is part of Pentagon (UK) Limited, has appointed a new Sales and Business Development Manager. Previously a Eurodebt franchisee, Vance Parsons' job as Sales and Business Development Manager will involve him being responsible for every aspect of Eurodebt's sales operations as well as aiming to improve all aspects of Eurodebt's business development performance by building a strong sales team in addition to providing a new focus for the sales strategy.

Web exclusive: Sonic Golf: Franchisee prepares for North Pole expedition
A Sonic Golf franchisee hopes to be the first deaf man to reach the North Pole. Whilst running his Sonic Golf franchise, which provides a golf club cleaning service, James Wengraf-Townsend is also training for his charity expedition to the North Pole.

Web exclusive: Certax Accounting: Franchise diary: David Nicoll, West Northamptonshire
I had been working in London but was fed-up with the commute everyday. I began looking for franchises where I would be able to utilise my skills and experiences. I narrowed down potential franchises to about three but after speaking to Certax I quickly realised they would be able to provide the flexibility and support I was looking for.

Web exclusive: ChipsAway International: ChipsAway launches its first Jersey franchise
International franchise ChipsAway has launched its first outlet in Jersey. Former paramedic Alan Hanton (pictured) opened the Jersey ChipsAway franchise and provides a quick, professional vehicle paintwork repairs service for residents on the island.

Web exclusive: Expense Reduction Analysts: Franchisee diary: Neil Cullen, Manchester
I joined ERA pre-franchise in 1994, becoming a franchisee in January 1997. In my previous role in Engineering I was stuck in the same environment, day after day. I am now in a position where I earn much more than Engineering would have given me.

Web exclusive: Expense Reduction Analysts: Day in the life of ERA Franchisee Brian Pinner
Brian Pinner started at ERA 15th August 1997 & has had a growing business ever since. Flexible enough to suit his needs around family, social & business life.

Web exclusive: Bluebird Care: Home care franchise recruits six new franchisees
Bluebird Care has announced that six new franchisees (pictured, with Franchise Director Simon Dalziel) have joined the company. As a management franchise the new franchisees, all of which are graduates and include two lawyers and a doctor, will recruit and manage a team of care staff to provide care to people in their own homes. These signings add to the growth of the company, which now has 20 offices throughout the UK and in the Republic of Ireland.

Web exclusive: Expense Reduction Analysts: Expense Reduction Analysts' Unique Marketing Programme
Expense Reduction Analysts have a unique marketing programme after much research and development, this marketing initiative, among other functions will ensure all companies can be successfully targeted and mailings will be tailored to industry specific prospects rather than having a standard deliverable.

Web exclusive: All Trades Networks: Franchise Development Manager appointed
All Trades Network, which offers a complete building repair service to the insurance market, has announced the appointment of Charles Sindall as its Franchise Development Manager. "The focus for All Trades Network is twofold: strengthening the support mechanism to the network and developing the systems and strategy to take the business forward,"says Keith Roberts, Managing Director of All Trades Network. "Charles has over 23 years experience in franchising, bringing considerable expertise across the full range of business disciplines to the company.

Web exclusive: Signs Express: Franchisee diary: James Bain, Dundee
After so many years in the oil and gas business, I was ready for a change. Although I had a very enjoyable career, I was missing large parts of family life due to having to work overseas for much of the year. I had been looking closely at franchising or buying an existing business for some time. Franchising was more appealing as it allows you all the growth capacity of a brand new business but with a proven system already in place.

Web exclusive: All Trades Networks: Company appoints Franchise Development Manager
All Trades Network, which offers a complete building repair service to the insurance market, has announced the appointment of Charles Sindall as its Franchise Development Manager. "The focus for All Trades Network is twofold: strengthening the support mechanism to the network and developing the systems and strategy to take the business forward,"says Keith Roberts, Managing Director of All Trades Network. "Charles has over 23 years experience in franchising, bringing considerable expertise across the full range of business disciplines to the company.

Web exclusive: TaxAssist Accountants: Accountancy franchise announces growth
TaxAssist Accountants has reported a great fee bank growth and the sign-up of thousands of new clients. A fee bank is the total franchisees can expect to receive from clients each year; having taken TaxAssist Accountants 10 years to grow to a £10 million fee bank, it has taken just a further nine months to increase this to £13 million. Additionally TaxAssist Accountants currently has 22,000 clients being serviced across the UK.

Web exclusive: Lazy Lawn: Lazy Lawn launches franchise scheme
Lazy Lawn, an artificial grass installer, is developing its brand through the launch of its franchise scheme. Part of Evergreens UK Ltd, Lazy Lawn has 25 years of experience and knowledge. As well as using its proven business model the Lazy Lawn franchise package will allow franchisees to have access to agreements with Golf Clubs and Local Authorities as additional revenue streams.

Web exclusive: Papa John's Pizza: Papa John's wins award in recognition of online growth
Pizza chain franchise Papa John's has won the Marketing Society Achievement Award (SME). Papa John's received the award at a ceremony in London in recognition of its online growth, which saw its web-based sales increase by over 500 per cent in 12 months, meaning that 20 per cent of the company's transactions are now handled this way.

Web exclusive: Platinum Property Partners: Franchisee diary: Steve Hogan and Linda Popplewell
Our reasons for choosing to invest in the Platinum Property Partners (PPP) franchise are threefold.

Web exclusive: Subway Sandwiches: Subway agrees 300 leases throughout UK
Sandwich chain franchise Subway has agreed 300 leases through property law firm Fraser Brown. Although the leases have been for sites throughout the UK they have mainly been focused in the Midlands, London and the South. Subway is currently expanding its outlets in the UK and aims to have 2,010 stores by 2010.

Web exclusive: Belvoir Lettings: Belvoir launches two franchises in Birmingham
Estate Agent Belvoir is closer to reaching its aim of opening 100 franchises by the end of the year with the launch of two new branches in Birmingham. Major Mahil (right), an ex-landlord, has opened his Belvoir agency in the heart of Birmingham's jewellery quarter and is targeting the top end of the lettings market. Kieran Donohoe (below, right), also an ex-landlord and from a property development background, has opened a branch in Solihull.

Web exclusive: Printing.com (UK): Printing franchise announces finance report
Printing, design, marketing and website franchise Printing.com has announced it has made record profits over the course of the last financial year. Figures published show that its total retail sales have increased by 16.8 per cent and its operating profits have grown by 20.2 per cent.

Web exclusive: Autosheen: Mobile valeting franchise raises money for charity
Mobile valeting franchise Autosheen has joined with Bedfordshire Police to raise money for a local charity.

Web exclusive: Driver Hire: Manager is runner-up at Scottish Recruitment Awards
A Recruitment Manager for Driver Hire, a franchise that supplies temporary and permanent staff to the transport industry, came second in the Scottish Recruitment Awards. Fiona Mackay (pictured, right), who works for the Aberdeen branch of Driver Hire, won the award for her role overseeing driver recruitment, training and development. In addition to this she has aided the company's development by helping its customer base increase by 27 per cent and profits grow by 30 per cent.

Web exclusive: Jani-King (GB): Jani-King launches new website
Commercial cleaning management franchise Jani-King has launched its new, updated website. The site has been developed to inform potential customers and franchisees about the latest developments within Jani-King and provide an overview of the company's products and services.

Web exclusive: Coffee Republic: Coffee Republic agrees deal with Greene King
Coffee shop chain Coffee Republic has signed a franchise deal with brewer and pub company Greene King.

Web exclusive: British Franchise Association (BFA): New External Communications Manager appointed
The bfa has appointed an External Communications Manager to its marketing team. Ruth Keller, who previously worked as a Communications Manager, new role as External Communications Manger will involve raising the profile of franchising with external bodies such as universities and regional enterprise institutions and expanding the national seminar programme.

Web exclusive: Bairstow Eves: Free re-branding for Bairstow Eves franchisees
Estate Agent Bairstow Eves has re-branded all of its 322 branches, including over 120 of its franchised outlets. Entirely paid for by the franchisor, the re-branding retains Bairstow Eves' core colours but all branch signage and displays have been re-designed. Additionally changes have been made to 'For Sale' boards, newspaper advertisements and other branded marketing materials.

Web exclusive: Recognition Express: Singer launches Recognition Express franchise
Recognition Express, which provides organisations with recognition goods, has launched an outlet in Guildford through franchisee Nick Manning (pictured, right, with Recognition Express Managing Director Nigel Toplis). A choral singer, Nick decided to leave his previous employment with a telecommunications company to open his own business and concentrate on his singing hobby.

Web exclusive: Energie Fitness Clubs: energie Fitness Club signs new franchisee
energie Fitness Club has sold its Leighton Buzzard to ex-Light Dragoon Scott Wiseman. Although Wiseman has limited fitness industry experience he grew up and worked in his family's hotel and gained a solid grounding in the service industry.

Web exclusive: Gemdate: Online local directory launches franchise scheme
Gemdate, an online local directory company, is aiming to expand across the UK through franchising. The company, which launched its pilot site at the beginning of 2007 in Burton-On-Trent, plans to set-up websites for areas across the country run by local people who have good knowledge of their region. To do this Gemdate has opted to establish a franchise scheme, which will give individuals the chance to start their own local website and earn up to £3,000 per month whilst working from home.

Web exclusive: Aire Serv: Air conditioning 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.

Web exclusive: Blackcircles: Online tyre retailer to sign 300th franchisee

Web exclusive: MyHome Residential Cleaning: Myhome reports boom in residential service market
Myhome International plc, a company that owns many home service brands, has reported that the residential service market is booming.