Winter round up

As we slowly start to enjoy the longer days and warmer weather, the winter has really played its part in the franchise industry calendar.

 The success of both The Irish Franchise Exhibition in November and The British Franchise Exhibition, Manchester in January means that many in the franchise world will now be reaping the benefits of such a busy winter time…

Irish Franchise Exhibition created new entrepreneurs in Ireland

The Irish Franchise Exhibition, which took place at the Royal Dublin Society, delivered two days of superb business and networking opportunities for the leading exhibitors and thousands of visitors who attended.

More than 50 key UK and Irish companies showcased their franchise opportunities, while industry experts and leading business personalities provided invaluable information and advice on growing and sustaining a successful business.

Exhibitors covered a wide cross-section of business sectors, offering hundreds of proven business ideas. These included BB’s Coffee & Muffins, Lasertech, MRI Worldwide, pristine.ie, San Serv, Supermacs and The Streat Franchising.

John Hancock, Managing Director of Venture Marketing Group, commented: “We have continued to build on the success of The Irish Franchise Exhibition and 2007 has been our most successful show to date. This year there was a wide and diverse range of franchise opportunities on offer, while the enthusiasm of the visitors has surely proven the demand for franchising in Ireland.”

Speakers within the seminar programme entertained, educated and enlightened delegates, particularly Tricia Murphy, Strategic Network Consultant at TIG Alliance, who presented a fascinating presentation on networking. Wearing a special ‘networking hat’ Tricia mobilised the entire audience to network with one another.  Brody Sweeney, Chairman of O’Briens Sandwich Bars, delivered a powerful presentation about starting a business and his views as one of Ireland’s most successful entrepreneurs.

John Green, Chairman of the Irish Franchise Association, commented: “As franchising is a flourishing industry in Ireland with an estimated growth of 12 per cent per annum, The Irish Franchise Exhibition in Dublin has established itself as a key event in the business calendar. This year’s show provided an invaluable showcase for both existing and new franchisees, with a whole host of franchise opportunities on offer.”


The British Franchise Exhibition delivers excellent business opportunities for the North of England

The British Franchise Exhibition and the Growing Your Own Business Exhibition & Conference 2008 at Manchester Central, 25 & 26 January, concluded with visitors and exhibitors alike praising the event.

Thousands of entrepreneurs attended the event looking for franchise business ideas and advice. The visitor feature areas including the Franchise Match Making Zone  and the bfa franchise seminars proved particularly popular, offering expert financial, legal and business advice to visitors.

Of particular interest was the Franchisee Forum. New to the exhibition this year, this interactive forum provided the perfect fact-finding and networking opportunity for potential franchisees and attracted a full house in the theatre. As John Evans from Manchester said “I found this part of the exhibition particularly helpful. I came to the exhibition with a number of questions about the intricacies of becoming a franchisee. The forum provided the perfect opportunity to address these.”

Conor Slevin, Managing Director of an engineering equipment supply company in Altrincham said: “I came looking for new business opportunities. Arriving with an open mind I’ve found a wide variety of potential businesses that suit my requirements. It really helps to be at the show to get a feel of what the product is. It’s been a really worthwhile day!”

Supported by the British Franchise Association (bfa), The Daily Mail, and Business Franchise magazine, more than 100 businesses showcased a diverse range of franchise and business opportunities at the exhibition. Companies present included Dial A Rad, Dream Doors, Distribution Unlimited, Fastsigns, Fastway Couriers, Lasertech, Myhome, Prémaman, Punch Taverns, Shoes Galore, Signs-A-Rama, thebestof, Building Supplies R Us, Cash Generators, YellowTom and Your Move.

Exhibitor feedback was equally positive, with many reporting excellent leads and contacts being made.

Graham Baker, Financial Director at Building Supplies R Us, commented: “This is the first show for the recently launched Building Supplies R Us franchise. The show has been a fabulous success. We have received 30 serious enquiries from which we expect to sell up to five franchises. We have also received an enquiry about a licence for the whole of Ireland.”

Colin Murphy, Business Development Director at Prémaman, said: “Prémaman has enjoyed an overwhelming experience exhibiting for the first time in Manchester. We had a steady stream of high quality visitors to our stand. In fact one person is on track to securing a territory for the North East of England and is soon to open a store. Following the success we’ve experienced both at The National Franchise Exhibition in Birmingham and in Manchester, we’re now planning the strategy for The British & International Franchise Exhibition in London, as well as the British Franchise Exhibition in Glasgow.”

Also well received was the Growing Your Own Business Exhibition and Conference.  Keynote speakers included Manchester’s Sweet Mandarin restaurant founder Lisa Tse and Kids Allowed’s Jennie Johnson, who both packed out audiences while recounting their fascinating accounts to entrepreneurial success. Other speakers included Caroline Rowland of New Moon Television explaining to audiences the power of positive propaganda as an under-utilised, yet hugely effective marketing tool. Networking expert Mike Segall provided insight into the oldest, most effective and often overlooked forms of gaining new business, which again drew crowds from around the North West.  

David Tuck, Franchise Sales Manager at Venture Marketing Group commented, “The exhibition continues to maintain its status as the premier franchise event for the North of England. With an extensive choice of franchises, expert advisors and informative seminar programme, this year’s event has been no exception with a high quality of visitor attending both days of the event providing many excellent business leads for all our exhibitors.”

Diary dates

The British & International Franchise Exhibition and the Growing Your Own Business Exhibition & Conference, Olympia, London, 4 & 5 April 2008

The British Franchise Exhibition and the Growing Your Own Business Showcase & Conference, SECC, Glasgow 13 & 14 June 2008

The National Franchise Exhibition and the Growing Your Own Business Exhibition & Conference, NEC, Birmingham 3 & 4 October 2008