IF YOU love the open road (Daily Mail franchise news)
posted on 13-Aug-2008
IF YOU love the open road…
IF YOU love the open road, a mobile franchise might suit you. Lynne Williams, 44, swopped office life for a van-based franchise selling Snap-On tools to garages.
'At first, I found it a little strange to be out on the road alone after working alongside others, but now I love it,' says Lynne. 'It can be lonely, but the sense of freedom makes up for that.' Snap-On franchisees visit garages to sell tools to technicians from specially equipped vans.
'I drive for five to ten minutes between calls that last about 25 minutes each,' says Lynne.
With a mobile franchise, route planning is important to minimise driving time and fuel costs, so check whether franchisors provide help with this.
'While driving, I think about what my customers are likely to want, so it's not wasted time.' She adds: 'I could not go back to working in an office now.' Darren Hawkins, of Snap-On, says: 'Our franchise areas are chosen to cut down on driving and maximise the time a franchisee is selling.' Routes are planned by the franchisor before an area is sold to a franchisee, so as to provide potential customers. The initial investment of around £10,000 covers stock to get you started.
