Exclusive to The Franchise Exhibitions, the British Franchise Association (bfa) franchising seminars offer a comprehensive programme covering all aspects of franchising, whether you are considering investing in a franchise or taking the first steps to franchising your business.

The seminars consist of a panel of industry leading experts include lawyers, bankers, consultants and the franchisors themselves. All panellists are either bfa affiliated or bfa members.

Seminar timetable

Friday 24 February 2012

10:45 - 11:45

An introduction to franchising

For aspiring business owners who are new to the franchising concept, understand:

• How buying a franchise can change your life - on a personal and business level
• What you should look for in a franchise
• Why and when you should get legal advice
• How to obtain funding and access financial help

Gurmeet Jakhu, Hamilton Pratt (solicitor)
Sean Derrig, Chemex (franchisor)
Tom Endean, bfa (chairman)
Mark Scott, Natwest (bank)

12:00 - 13:00 

Essential tips for franchising your business

How to franchise an existing business or develop a new venture, find out:

• What kind of business can be franchised?
• Where do you start and gain advice?
• Why and how do you write a franchise agreement?
• Understanding the risks and how to protect your franchised business

15:00 - 16:00

Choosing franchising after redundancy

For those who are changing their career and considering franchising, find out:

• How to approach a franchisor and the questions you need to ask
• The legalities of buying a franchise - what you must consider
• What the banks are doing to support franchising in the UK
• If the economic climate should affect your decision to buy a franchise

Berkeley Harris, WPA (franchisor)
Pip Wilkins, bfa (chairman)
Ken Braddock, HSBC (bank)
Gurmeet Jakhu, Hamilton Pratt (solicitor)

16:15 - 16:45

Taking your first step into franchising

You have attended educational seminars, spoken to key advisers and met with franchisors... what next?

• Due diligence - making the right choice
• Understand what you are committing to
• What support is being offered and does it match your needs?
• The importance of legal advice and understanding the financial options
• The bfa's advised next steps

Tom Endean, bfa

Saturday 25 March 2012

10:45 - 11:45

What to consider when choosing a franchise
For aspiring business owners who want to learn more about the franchising concept, understand:

• The benefits of franchising versus starting from scratch
• What a franchisor looks for in a franchisee and vice versa
• What is a franchise agreement and when you need to use a solicitor
• The importance of business plans and how to obtain funding

12:00 - 13:00

Expanding your business through franchising

How to franchise an existing business or develop a new venture, learn:

• Where do you start and what are the main factors to consider?
• Understanding the type of franchisee that will fit your business
• What will it cost to franchise your business?
• How do you decide on a price for your franchise?

14:30 - 15:30

Making franchising your future

For those who have decided to take the franchising route and would like to find out more, find out:

• The types of franchises available
• The advantages of buying a franchise in a recession
• The size and the expected growth of the franchise market
• How the banks can help you fund your new venture

Seminar tracks

The conference programme has been divided into tracks consisting of the following seminars:

• 

  British Franchise Association (bfa) franchising panel seminars - including consultants, solicitors, bankers and franchisor
• High-level investment franchising
• Executives in franchising
• Growing your own business
• Hands-on franchising
• Franchising your business
• SPEAKERS at the exhibition