We launched our Cardiff-based Snack-in-the-Box (SITB) franchise in February 2009 and already our business is generating a weekly turnover of £2,000 from 150 sites. We sell quality snack products at pocket friendly prices, which people are continuing to buy even in the recession.
Before becoming SITB franchise owners we operated a restaurant at a holiday caravan park. We became fed up with having to work around the clock, often seven days a week, and being unable to take a holiday in the summer season, so we looked for an opportunity where we could work from home and have the flexibility to fit our hours around our family commitments.
SITB caught our attention because we liked the concept and the fact it is associated with quality confectionery brand Cadbury. We could see ourselves developing the concept into a successful business within a designated territory, so after a couple of meetings with SITB Franchise Director Matt O'Neil we decided to invest in the franchise.
The franchise package includes full training and support. Initially we went on a four-day training course. This included three days at head office where we learned the theory side from working out profit margins to packing boxes, and then one day out on the road shadowing an existing franchise owner. The support has been great and we can call head office at any time.
We enjoy having a hands-on role and sharing the workload. We spend four days on the road and one day doing paperwork and packing the snack boxes, which allows us to keep our weekends free to spend time with our family.