"With this team behind me I cannot fail...!" Paul Barry Bluebird Care (Chichester)

\"We have proved that the business can be successful at our offices throughout the UK, as well as overseas with a fast growing network in the Republic of Ireland...we have about 50% coverage currently.\"

'Bluebird Care working with Boots for safer medication at home'

Ex-IBM Management Consultant Paul Barry (pictured right in front of group) decided to leave the corporate world and set up his own business and the franchise route was very appealing. "I have spent many years advising businesses on how to improve their performance and it was time to put theory into practise for myself," explains an excited Paul.

Once Paul decided he wanted his own business, he started to explore the numerous franchise opportunities available.

"Being used to undertaking detailed research projects, I set about evaluating the businesses that interested me, as well as those in expanding markets where there is a genuine opportunity to develop a substantial, profitable business.

"The care at home sector is most definitely growing fast and so this appealed to me. I am also passionate about providing a high quality service, as I firmly believe in people's rights to receiving care of the highest quality.

"I investigated the franchises on offer in this sector and was instantly impressed with Bluebird Care who, I believe, is the market leader. Having met the management team and spoken to a number of existing, successful franchise owners, I decided the Bluebird Care franchise was head and shoulders above others. The ethos of the company matched mine - a desire to provide a top quality service which in turn makes for a highly profitable business and all in an atmosphere of business partnership between franchise owners and franchisor."

Bluebird Care is also delighted to have someone of Paul's calibre in the network. Franchise Director Simon Dalziel says: "We have always prided ourselves on not 'selling franchises' but 'recruiting franchise owners' - there is a big difference.

"Bringing the right people into the franchise network will secure the long term future of the business - we are not interested in the short term gain of 'selling' franchises to the wrong people. Our franchise owners must demonstrate other qualities than simply being able to finance the business," he continues.Bluebird Care has expanded fast in the UK and Republic of Ireland since launching the successful business as a franchise in June 2006.

"We have proved that the business can be successful throughout the whole of the UK, as well as overseas with a fast growing network in the Republic of Ireland," explains Managing Director Paul Tarsey. "However, we still have many territories available in the UK, as we have about 50 per cent coverage currently."

Bluebird Care is now seen as a major provider of quality care at home, which is giving franchise owners new opportunities as the company builds on strategic partnerships with other organisations, such as high street pharmacist Boots.

The relationship with Boots, which allows franchise owners to market their service within Boots stores, gives the brand a high profile.

"We already have three businesses with an annual turnover of over £1 million and continuing to grow," adds Paul Tarsey.

Final words though come from Paul Barry: "My background gave me the skills to assess business and my decision to join Bluebird Care has been fully justified. After a busy set up phase, which included an excellent franchise training course, I have been working closely with my franchisor to open the doors of my business here in the Chichester area of West Sussex. I am very optimistic about the future.

"The franchisor has done everything they said they would do - and more - and with the support team behind me I can't fail."

Summary of Package

A four-month start-up programme including both franchise owner initial training and staff training courses.
Assistance with office search and senior staff recruitment.
Detailed Operations Manual.
HP PC loaded with industry leading software, accounts and payroll packages.
Training on business software.
Hosted email addresses, website and intranet.
Complete stationery, business forms pack and promotion materials.
Full staff training materials including DVDs and manuals.
Initial supply of staff workwear.
Membership of professional care association.
Full assistance and fees for registration with care authorities.
Franchise territory research.
Licensing rights to your own defined, exclusive territory.

Bluebird Care is the fastest growing care franchise in the UK and Republic of Ireland. The original pilot successfully ran for 2 years prior to launching the business as a franchise in June 2006 and the franchise Network has now grown to 77 territories. Working in the huge and growing sector of care at home, the Company offers franchise owners, who come from a wide variety of backgrounds, the opportunity to grow successful, profitable businesses providing a high quality of care.

In the last 12 months, Bluebird Care has seen their Brand turnover increase by a phenomenal 230%.

"The British Franchise Association is pleased to welcome Bluebird Care into Full Membership. Our quality standards for reaching this level are set high, deliberately, and to reach this demanding level a franchisor has to demonstrate to us they are worthy of this level of membership"

Andrew Quail Head of Standards & Compliance BFA