Route to business success (Daily Mail franchise story | Scotland Franchise week)
posted on 09-Jun-2008
Route to business success
By: Linda Whitney
FRANCHISING is surging ahead in Scotland. Franchised businesses are growing at three times the rate of the Scottish economy and average turnover among franchisees is more than £24,000 higher than in Britain as a whole.
If you want to cash in, head for the British Franchise Exhibition at the SECC Glasgow on Friday and Saturday, the highlight of Scottish Franchise Week, which starts today.
To make the most of the exhibition, find out who is exhibiting (see www.franinfo.co.uk), work out how much you have to invest and take a list of questions about franchising.
Companies such as Dream Doors, Chips Away, Fastway Couriers, Energie Fitness and Belvoir! will be there looking for new franchisees.
'We'll be at the show because our national advertising generates lots of leads from Scotland,' says Alex Waite of £60,000 kitchen makeover franchise Dream Doors.
Other franchises at the show include Cartridge World, Global Travel Group, Travail Employment and restaurant franchise The Streat.
The show has a Franchisee Forum, where you can ask about the realities of running your own business.
For free start-up advice, look out for the twice-daily 'introduction to franchising' seminars, including tips on what to look for in a franchisor and how to raise the money.
To answer your legal questions, Wright, Johnston &Mackenzie Solicitors will have advisers on hand.
Running alongside the exhibition, the Growing Your Own Business Showcase and Conference offers free advice about starting and developing your business.
Amanda Jones and James Brown of Red Button Design, whose method of providing clean water in developing countries won investment from all five Dragons on TV's Dragon's Den, will talk about how to grow your business.
Alisdair Northrop, of the business magazine Scottish Business Insider, will talk about creating a public relations buzz, and Fraser Hay, of the Results Academy business support network, will give marketing tips.
James Howell, of E2 Marketing, will advise on building a successful campaign, and William Buist, of Abelard Management Services, will offer ideas on how to connect with the right people.
The British Franchise Exhibition and Growing Your Own Business are open from 10am each day, closing at 5pm on Friday and 4pm on Saturday.
TICKETS cost £5 (£4 for twoplus) from 0870 777 1048 or www.franinfo.co.uk or £7 on the door.
