How to tackle a franchise exhibition (Daily Mail franchise | UK franchise opportunities)
posted on 29-Sep-2008
HOW TO TACKLE AN EXHIBITION
A VISIT to a franchise exhibition can be tiring waste of time without good preparation.
'Know what kind of business you want and what you are good at,' says Frank Bigley, 45, who found his Mail Boxes Etc (MBE) franchise at the National Franchise Exhibition in Birmingham four years ago.
Frank now runs an MBE outlet in Sheffield, offering services such as parcel delivery and copying, mainly to small firms.
Frank, who formerly managed stores and projects for Woolworths, says: 'I wanted a franchise that used my retail experience and went along to see what was available.
'I found it paid off to have a list of questions for franchisors, and noted down their answers on their literature so I could compare them,' he says.
He advises exhibition visitors: 'There are hundreds of franchises on offer at shows, so don't go without thinking about your skills and preferences.
Don't be seduced by glossy literature and sales talk.
'Franchisees at the show have been asked to come along by the franchisor, so don't choose until you have talked to franchisees you have chosen yourself.' The MBE franchise starts at around £60,000.
Fastway Couriers franchise information, 0870 4586 289; Signs Express, 01603 625 925; Kitchen and Bedroom Transformations, 01689 831 400; WPA, 01823 625 120; Apollo At Home, 0845 123 6030 ; Daiso, 008182 420 0114; Cherry Tree, 01308 458 111; MBE, 0800 694 2026..
