Franchise Articles from July/August 2008

Autosheen: Tap into our existing customer base!

With existing customers on tap, you can make money from Day One with an Autosheen franchise.

With low overheads and booming online sales generated for franchisees, etyres is offering a 21st century business concept for the tyre market

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Ovenu: Ovenu welcomes new franchisee

Professional oven cleaning company Ovenu welcomes its newest franchisee Christine Peel from Northumberland.