Just three months ago, Thresher, the UK's leading independent drinks retailer, became the first off-licence group to offer existing, established and profitable branches for franchise.

At the end of July the franchising team at the firm's head office had received more than 1,000 website registrations and a staggering 500 applications from external applicants. These statistics also coincided with the firm recording 10,000 unique visitors to its franchising website which too was only launched in early May.

Fyl Newington, franchise development manager for the group said, 'We expected this scheme to be popular as, unlike the majority of UK franchise opportunities, we are offering 'ready made', existing businesses. As such we're finding that the opportunity is appealing to an even wider audience than the typical franchise market and interest has been strongest, so far, in the Midlands and the North West.

'Whilst the calibre of applicants has been exceptionally high, we don't know as yet how many will reach fruition and I'd like to reassure potential franchisees that there are still plenty of stores available across England and Wales.'

Under the innovative Thresher Franchising scheme, applicants pay £20,000, plus the stock value, to take over an already profitable store and run it as their own business. After the initial payment, franchisees pay an occupancy fee and a small percentage of the turnover to Threshers.

This gives them the autonomy to run the store as their own business, deciding on range, promotions, pricing and so on whilst enjoying the purchasing power, marketing expertise and branding of the UK's most successful off-licence concern.

Thresher Group is the UK's leading independent specialist drinks retailer. The group currently owns around 2,000 shops and serves over 150 million customers a year.Thresher Group is backed by Terra Firma, the European private equity firm.

Published: 24 August 2006

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