Go where the growth is (Daily Mail franchise story)

Go where the growth is ...

Daily Mail

By: Linda Whitney

LOOKING to take charge of your own future? This week's franchise exhibition in London could be the place to start.

Some franchised businesses are thriving in the downturn and will be looking for more franchisees.

'Many sectors in the franchise industry are demonstrating growth, including fast food, second-hand goods stores and security companies,' says David Tuck, organiser of the British & International Franchise Exhibition on March 20 and 21 at Olympia.

Among fast-food franchises, McDonald's and Papa John's Pizza will be at the show, as will Pitman Training, which is looking for extra franchisees as more people seek training to boost their employability.

Other exhibitors include buy and sell shop Cash Generator, which is adding an extra 20 franchisees this year to cope with increased demand, business signage producer Fastsigns, ERA Healthcare, Xperience estate agents and children's IT training franchise Computer Xplorers.

Dream Doors, the kitchen refurbishment franchise, has had its best annual network turnover in ten years and is looking for more franchisees.

Also exhibiting is The Garage Conversion Company, looking for franchisees to cope with the increased demand.

Entertaining stands at the show include Racing Challenge, the racing car simulation game. The franchisor is offering potential franchisees a chance to try the franchise for six months before committing fully.

Click here for a full list of franchise show exhibitors, click here.

As well as meeting franchisors, you can find out more about franchising in general..

The Franchise Starting Point provides a beginner's guide to franchising from advisers who can answer your questions.

Staff in the Find Your Franchise Zone will match your goals, budget, skills and lifestyle with the franchises present and provide a bespoke route round the exhibition.

At the Women in Franchising zone you can meet women franchisees and question existing franchisees.

Plan a break to take in a free franchising seminar run by the British Franchise Association.

Topics include choosing a franchise and an in-depth look at franchising.

Also leave time to visit the free-entry Growing Your Own Business Exhibition and Conference. It offers free presentations from entrepreneurs and advice from leading professionals. More details at www.sme-events.com.

FOR more information see www.franchiseinfo.co.uk.

Advance tickets cost £8 each or £7 for two-plus, from the website or 0870 777 1082, or £13 on the door.

HOW TO PREPARE

VISITING a franchise exhibition is fun, but you can waste time and money if you go unprepared.

'Work out what kind of business you want and know how much you can invest before you go,' advises Keith Page, 47, who visited the Olympia show last year after taking redundancy from Norwich Union.

'I wanted a management franchise that suited my experience of reviewing and managing costs,' says Keith (pictured), from Norwich, who is now a franchisee with Auditel, providing a consultancy service for businesses on how to reduce overhead costs.

He checked the names of exhibitors online and drew up a list of those he wanted to speak to. 'I researched them in advance, but desk research is no substitute for meeting company executives in person at the show,' he says.

Leave time to visit seminars and presentations.

'I picked up some good tips, and the Franchisee Panel gave me a good chance to ask questions.

I'd have gone to more presentations if I'd had more time,' says Keith.

Keith opened his Auditel franchise last September and has exceeded his targets by 20 per cent. Auditel is looking for more franchisees with £32,900 to invest.

Auditel 0800 583 3355