Scotland's only dedicated franchise event, Franchise Opportunities offers you the chance to meet brands actively looking to expand in Scotland and find out whether investing in a franchise could be the right decision for you. 

Meet over 100 franchise brands, take advantage of 60+ free seminars and get expert advice - all under one roof - at our flagship Franchise Exhibition, held in partnership with the British Franchise Association. 

Steve Bartlett 

Co-founder of Social Chain 

In 2014, Steve Bartlett and Dominic McGregor dropped out of university to launch Social Chain, an innovative social media marketing agency which has since experienced phenomenal growth.

24-year-old Steve now heads up a team of over 70 employees who use the company’s vast network of social communities to get any topic trending online in under 17 minutes. The business counts Apple, ITV and Disney amongst their clients and is gaining recognition in trade and national press. 

By speaking at high-profile events and expanding Social Chain into Germany and the US, Steve has established himself as one of the most exciting entrepreneurs of our time.

His keynote presentation, 'Deeper than engagement' will take place at 12:15 on Friday 17 February - book your free ticket now! 

Angela Enright 

Founder, Huntleys Shoes 

When Angela Enright left school at 15 armed with just four GCSE’s, her ambition of running her own business felt like a pipe dream. However, after initially training as a beautician, she decided to take the plunge in 2015 and launched Huntleys Shoes: an online children’s shoe shop.

At the time she was pregnant with her fourth child and had no experience of designing or selling shoes, but she found a designer who could interpret her scribbles and a manufacturer who shared her vision and the business was born.

The road to success hasn’t always been smooth. During her inspirational keynote presentation, ‘From paper to production’, Angela will share the lessons she’s learnt along the way which helped her expand into children’s clothes in 2016.

Come and listen to Angela's story at 12:15 on Saturday 18 February - claim your free ticket now. 

McDonald's Insight Sessions at The Franchise Exhibitions. 

Meet the McDonald's team and find out what it is like to be a franchisee for a world-class brand. 

At McDonald’s, we believe choosing the right franchisees to be part of the McDonald’s system is a key factor in our success as a brand. Our franchisees come from all walks of life, but the main thing they all share is a drive for putting the customer at the heart of all they do and a passion for success. We’ve been franchising in the UK for 30 years and with 1,260 UK restaurants, millions of customers are served, jobs are created and opportunities provided to local people and businesses. A lot of that is down to the hard work of our franchisees: the people who believe in our brand enough to take on their own slice of it.
 
We’re always looking for hands-on, ambitious people who are ready to make a long-term commitment to our business.
 
For us, it’s about placing responsibility for the day-to-day operations of our restaurants in capable hands, working collaboratively to grow together. For you, it’s a unique opportunity to take charge of a business that has behind it a brand trusted by customers, proven, sophisticated systems, and an excellent framework of support. It’s an opportunity to realise your goals, work with your team to be part of your local community at the same time as fulfilling your ambitions.
 
McDonald's will be holding a Franchisee Recruitment Insight Session exclusively at The Franchise Exhibitions. Meet with McDonald's staff and gain a unique insight into being part of one of the world's biggest brands. Learn more about their first-class franchisee training programme - and find out if becoming a McDonald's franchisee is right for you. 

Reserve your seat at the McDonald's Insight Sessions at:

The National Franchise Exhibition | 4 & 5 October | NEC, Birmingham

FRIDay 17 FEBRUAry

10:45 - 11:45 | An introduction to franchising
For aspiring owners who are new to the franchising concept

• How buying a franchise can change your life – on a personal and business level

• What you should look for in a franchise

• Why and when you should get legal advice

• How to obtain funding and access financial help

Ken Braddock, HSBC (bank)
Simon Pigden, Gateley Plc (solicitor)
Stephen Watson, Agency Express (franchisor)
Emily Price, bfa (chair)

12:00 - 13:00 | Essential tips for franchising your business
How to franchise an existing business or develop a new venture

• What kind of business can be franchised?

• Where to start and gain advice

• Why and how to write a franchise agreement

• How to protect your franchised business and the risks involved

• How to approach a franchisor and the questions you need to ask

• The legalities you must consider if you are buying a franchise

• What the banks are doing to support franchising in the UK

• The bfa's recommended next steps

Ken Braddock, HSBC (bank)
Magdalena Konig, Shoosmiths (solicitor)
Matt O'Neil, Expense Reduction Analysts (franchisor)
Samantha Roberts, bfa (chair)

Saturday 18 FEBRUARY

10:30 - 11:30 | What to consider when choosing a franchise
For aspiring owners who are new to the franchising concept

• The benefits of franchising versus starting from scratch

• What a franchisor looks for in a franchisee and vice versa

• What a franchise agreement is and when you need to use a solicitor

• The importance of business plans and how to obtain funding

David Kerrigan, HSBC (bank)
Magdalena Konig, Shoosmiths (solicitor)
Rod Davies, Business Doctors (franchisor)
Helen Thompson, bfa (chair)

11:45 - 12:45 | Expanding your business through franchising
How to franchise an existing business or develop a new venture

• Where to start and what the main factors are to consider

• The different type of franchisee that will fit your business

• What it will cost to franchise your business

• How to decide on a price for your franchise

Nick Williams, Ashtons Franchise Consulting (bank)
John Pratt, Hamilton Pratt (solicitor)
James Whittle, Aspray (franchisor)
Kelly Blackmore-Lee, bfa (chair)


14:45 - 15:45 | Making franchising your future
For those who are changing their career and considering franchising

• The different types of franchises available

• The advantages of a buying a franchise

• The size and expected growth of the franchise market

• How the banks can help you fund your new venture

David Kerrigan, HSBC (bank)
Magdalena Konig, Shoosmiths (solicitor)
Stephen Watson, Agency Express (franchisor)
Samantha Roberts, bfa (chair)

Opening times:

Friday 13 October | 10:00 - 17:00
Saturday 14 October | 10:00 - 16:00

Directions:

Hall 3a
National Exhibition Centre (NEC)
Birmingham
B40 1NT

Click here for NEC directions, parking information and map. Call NEC, Birmingham T: +44 (0)121 780 4141.

Thinking of travelling up from London? Visitors can get 25% off their rail fare with Virgin Trains from London Euston direct to the NEC (Birmingham International) in just over an hour! Click here.

Ticket prices:

Tickets will be free of charge if you book them in advance by clicking here. 

If you wish to attend on the day and do not book in advance, tickets will cost £15 on the door, unless a discount offer code is presented at the exhibition entrance.

FREE tickets can be booked online up until the close of show. 

Click here to book free tickets.

Accommodation:

To reserve accommodation please contact our official booking agents Ellis Salsby on +44 (0)1562 829939 or visit www.ellis-salsby.co.uk.