Autumn 07 Franchise News

posted on 01-Sep-2007

Belvoir landmark success

Belvoir, the UK’s largest residential lettings agency is delighted to announce the opening of its 100th franchise operation, in Inverness, Scotland. Co-owner, Andy Campbell, is also the franchisee of Belvoir’s pilot scheme in Elgin, Scotland, which he launched back in 1996.

“We are delighted with this achievement,” says Mike Goddard, CEO of Belvoir. “It is particularly exciting to have Andy Campbell open our 100th franchise, as he started with us almost eleven years to the day and is still as enthusiastic, energetic and committed as he was in the beginning and his business is still expanding and successful. Inverness is a booming city and is the sixth Belvoir franchise in Scotland, which shows our commitment to developing a service in that area.”


Business Franchise Magazine

Tracy Shah, Publishing Director, Business Franchise Magazine

Although we have barley begun to enjoy the summer sun, here at Business Franchise our plans for 2008 are in full swing. What does the forthcoming year hold for Business Franchise Magazine advertisers? Expect to receive even better value for your money and an even better profile for your brand.

We are expanding the publishing team to incorporate more client relationship managers who will ensure you receive the highest quality of service. Experienced marketers will help to drive advertisement response rates even higher, and 2008 will see the launch of some new and exciting products. If you missed the show guide issue this is the ideal opportunity to get in front of all the prospective franchisees that attended the show as visitors are sent the next two following copies of Business Franchise free.


Énergie opens seven clubs in seven weeks

The énergie Group has opened seven clubs in just seven weeks, bringing the total number of operational clubs to 30. Now established as the fastest growing UK based fitness club franchise brand, énergie also has over 70 additional franchisees financially committed and progressing their projects. With regional offices in Ireland and Scotland, the pace of growth is accelerating.

Jan Spaticchia, Chief Executive of The énergie Group, says: “We are selling on average six new franchises across the two brands every month and we anticipate this will increase with the introduction of our new franchise products later this year. The énergie fitness for women model has been very successful - with a start-up cost of just £19,000 the product is an attractive prospect for many people exploring business opportunities in leisure.”


Domestic bliss!

With more couples going out to work to maintain their lifestyles demand for domestic cleaners is forecast to increase. One company capitalising on this trend is Maid2Clean, a well-established franchise (since 1993) at the forefront of the domestic cleaning market.

Maid2Clean has launched 59 franchisees over the last 2.5 years and its Franchisees have made a significant contribution to their local economies by creating over 4,500 jobs, making it one of the fastest growing franchises in the industry sector.

MD, Mike Hanrahan states: “We offers superior training and support and great value for money. All of our franchisees are enjoying the growth of their businesses and the automated residual income and profit that the Maid2Clean business provides”

 

 

0 to 120 Toastys in one hour!

Charles Bartlett, the Managing Director of Toasty Kitchens, has just been awarded the British Sandwich Association New Product Award 2007 for the latest Toastys oven. Charles noticed a gap in the market for toasted sandwiches in high footfall areas like shopping malls, festivals and busy bars, where customers demand fast and convenient food.

He researched the market but couldn’t find any technology that could make them fast enough so he decided to design something himself. Not being a designer or an engineer this was obviously a tall order but eventually a prototype was made. The compact Toastys oven can toast and seal up to 120 Toastys an hour and come in a wide variety of fillings.

Charles comments: “after so much hard work and effort it is fantastic to receive this recognition. We are now focusing on expanding our franchise network and the third Toastys shop has just opened in Liverpool”.

Double award for SIGN*A*RAMA

Ray Titus, president of one of the world’s largest business-to-business franchise systems, United Franchise Group (UFG), was recently honored with the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Award for Florida. The award recognizes leading entrepreneurs whose ingenuity and perseverance have created and sustained successful, growing business ventures.

In honor of his company’s international achievements, Ray has also been awarded the United States Department of Commerce’s prestigious Presidential “E” Award. This award is the highest honour the U.S government can give to an American exporting company. The award serves to recognize U.S firms for their competitive achievements in world markets and their part in increasing U.S. exports abroad. The Commerce Secretary, Carlos M. Gutierrez, and President Bush presented the award to SIGN*A*RAMA at the White House.

United Franchise Group includes award-winning brands such as SIGN*A*RAMA, EmbroidMe and Billboard Connection. The franchisees from each brand work hand-in-hand to develop an overall branding strategy for their customers, offering essentially a “one-stop” solution for corporate branding.
UFG now generates nearly $500 million in system-wide sales and have recently begun to offer other franchisors their expertise in franchise development and strategy for both domestic and international expansion.


Scottish success for Suzie

Suzie McCafferty (29), Scotland’s youngest female franchisor, shared her experience of establishing an international network of franchisees with delegates at the Glasgow Science Centre on Friday 8 June. The business breakfast meeting, organised by the British Franchise Association, preceded the opening of the British Franchise Exhibition held at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre.

Suzie, the International Development Director and co-owner of Smart Cartridge, has been involved since the early development of the brand and has been instrumental in developing the overseas network.

Suzie said: “The ethical franchise sector is thriving in Scotland and as an Associate Member of the British Franchise Association and Scotland’s youngest female franchisor, I was proud to be asked to represent the industry.”

She added: “It was also a thrill to share a platform with Michelle Mone, the founder of Ultimo Bras. She truly is a role model for many women entrepreneurs in Scotland.”