The ideal place to find the right franchise for you

Taking place on September 30 and October 1 at the NEC in Birmingham, The National Franchise Exhibition is the UK’s largest franchise event and offers a comprehensive source of ideas and information for anyone looking for a new career challenge.

Showcasing more than 150 proven franchise concepts, from travel sales, web design and recruitment to cleaning, food and drink, and home improvement, the event will provide a superb overview of the business opportunities available. There will be franchise ventures to suit every budget, lifestyle and skill, so aspiring entrepreneurs can find the business to match their interests. They can also learn all they need to help them decide whether franchising and a particular franchise is the right path for them by speaking to banks, accountants, solicitors, franchising consultants and experts from the British Franchise Association (bfa).

This year exhibiting companies will include ActionCOACH, Bar Sport, Cash Generator, Complete Weed Control, Dream Doors, Envirocare, Fonehouse, Gautier, Go Cruise, McDonald’s, Subway and The Best Of.

The National Franchise Exhibition is exclusively supported by the bfa and only features franchise companies that have met the bfa’s Code of Ethics. This means visitors can be confident the franchise opportunities presented to them are an ethical entity within the UK market.

Exhibition features and initiatives

Exclusive to The National Franchise Exhibition is an extensive free conference programme, which includes seminars by the bfa. During these sessions, a panel of experts will cover all aspects of franchising including how to find funding, who to go to for legal advice and what a franchisor looks for in a franchise owner. In addition, there will be a series of seminars on key franchise-related topics including growing your own business, high-level investment franchising, franchise resales, executives in franchising, hands-on franchising and families in franchising.

For those uncertain what business might be right for them, professionals at the Careers Clinic will work with visitors to define their goals and objectives in order to build a clear, focused and realistic career plan.

The Franchise Starting Point will be dedicated to helping visitors completely new to the concept of franchising find ideas to suit them. Franchising experts including the bfa team, specialists from leading banks, accountants, lawyers as well as current franchise owners and franchisors will be on hand to provide visitors with all the help and advice they need as they consider their options and prepare to develop a successful franchise business.

The popular Franchisee Panel returns with even more sessions and opportunities. Visitors will hear from franchise owners about the reality of the transition period from being an employee to a self-employed franchise owner. These panel sessions enable visitors to gain answers to all their questions and find out the pros and cons of becoming a franchise owner.

Buying an existing franchised business, rather than starting with a new opportunity, is an alternative that may suit many prospective franchise owners. Experts will be on hand at the Franchise Resales Pavilion to advise visitors on what is available.

The Business Plan Clinic, sponsored by Lloyds TSB Commercial, provides the opportunity to learn all about securing funding and to receive professional advice on drafting a business plan – a key starting point to developing a successful business.

“This event will be packed with proven business opportunities with highly reputable established brands that are a valuable asset, and all the sources of advice they need to start a new career,” said Adrian Goodsell, Franchise Exhibitions Manager at Venture Marketing Group, organisers of The National Franchise Exhibition.

Reported by Louise Smith