Elite Franchise 100 2021 #EF100

Page 1

Presents THE TOP

FRANCHISES 2021 Welcome to the Elite Franchise 100 Top UK Franchises for 2021, celebrating the best and brightest franchises that Britain has to offer.


Support for your franchise ambitions


Whether you’re considering buying a franchise or looking to grow your business through franchising, our expertise could help you move forward with confidence. With more than 30 years’ experience in financing franchise operations, and combined service of 250 years across the team, our specialist franchising unit supports over 8,000 clients. We know that franchising is about more than just making money. It’s also about creating strong and mutually-beneficial relationships. And it’s an approach that saw us named as Best Franchisee Banking Provider at the Business Moneyfacts Awards 2019. We were also recognised within the industry with the Industry Contribution at the bfa Affiliate & Supplier Awards in 2019. We understand the unique funding needs and structures required for franchise banking – and we tailor our approach accordingly, with our experienced business managers able to make fast, effective decisions. Through specialised long-term finance and risk management solutions designed specifically for franchisees and franchisors, we can support your individual growth plans. The right support for franchisees If you’re looking to buy a franchise, our experts can help you decide whether franchising is right for you and take you through the steps you need to develop a successful business. Franchisees benefit from a central helpdesk, offering advice and liaison with lending managers. Funding of up to 70% of start-up costs is available for franchisees joining an established network.

With many years of experience, working with franchises of all shapes and sizes, our franchise team can provide the specialist support you need as you buy and then grow your franchise. We also understand that each franchise is unique so we tailor our services to meet your needs providing the right financing and helping you to make those all-important connections. Helping new and experienced franchisors If you’re looking to franchise your business, we can guide you through the process of planning and financing your franchise model by introducing you to key partners as well as our existing clients who are looking to expand their portfolio. For experienced franchisors, our experts can support you through many aspects of your future journey, from driving domestic expansion and brand penetration to entering new international markets. Our franchise team can also leverage a global network that covers some 66 countries and territories,

which means we are uniquely placed to connect customers to opportunities as they expand internationally. Whether you’re looking to bring your franchise to the UK or to franchise your UK business overseas, we can leverage that network to provide the connections, guidance, knowledge and introductions you need to succeed. Our support goes beyond finance, providing the expertise and networking opportunities that are vital in the industry. We run regular events, such as ‘Meet the brands’, to connect overseas franchisors with potential franchisees in the UK. We also provide mentoring and networking opportunities, giving franchisees the opportunity to learn from each other and from our own team of experts. As part of that broader network of support, we work closely with the British Franchise Association to encourage successful and ethical franchising. We also sponsor the British Franchise Association Franchisor and Franchisee of the Year awards.

To find out more about how we can support your franchising activities, contact our franchise experts on: 0800 234 6224* or email: franchiseunit@hsbc.com

Together we thrive *Lines are open from 9am to 5pm, excluding holidays. Issued by HSBC UK Bank plc AC52190


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

CONTENTS 005 Welcome 006 2020 Celebratory Evening 008 Partners & Sponsors 009 EF100 Judges 011 Top 100 021 Top 90 030 Top 80 038 Top 70 046 Top 60 053 Top 50 064 Top 40 080 Top 30 098 Top 20 108 Top 15 120 Top 10 138 Number 1 144 A - Z Quick reference 145 1 - 100 Quick reference

04


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

WELCOME Welcome

Well we can honestly say we didn’t see that coming! As we toasted the 2020 winners at the HSBC Elite Franchise TOP 100 celebratory evening back in January, no-one would ever have anticipated what was about to hit our industry - Cue COVID-19! Yet despite what can only be described as the hardest trading conditions seen in the last decade, what better way to exit 2020 and leap into 2021 by acknowledging some well deserved successes in the British franchise industry! And that’s exactly what the HSBC Elite Franchise TOP 100 is all about, celebrating the successes in British franchising by ranking applicants from 100 – 1; pinpointing those at the very top of their game. From cleaning to coffee, housekeeping to healthcare, tutoring to transport - and everything in between - it doesn’t matter whether they’re a long standing franchise or taking their first tentative steps into the franchise arena. Given the ‘new normal’ of COVID-19 the resilience of the franchising industry has been phenomenal and it continues to drive economic growth across the nation. Indeed, according to a bfa and NatWest franchise survey, more than 700,000 people are now employed in franchising, not to mention the estimated £17Bn the industry contributes to the UK economy. Andrew Brattesani, UK head of franchising at HSBC, was one of the franchising specialists judging this year’s entrants. “This year we have had to assess how businesses have proactively adjusted in response to closures caused by the pandemic. It’s been essential for entrants to demonstrate how they have pivoted their services. Despite the economic difficulties of this year, these franchises have prospered due to their proven business models and determination,” he says. At Elite Franchise we have the privilege of highlighting the country’s most vibrant franchises - pitting them against each other in a no holds barred competition. Judging the hundreds of entries received is based on a variety of criteria and every year the competition gets tougher. But it isn’t just about their profitability or the scale of the business, it’s also about supporting their franchisees and what they can bring to the communities in which they operate. The 2021 Elite Franchise list shows just what the British franchising industry has to offer. For those winners featuring in this year’s Elite Franchise 100 list, a hearty well done. You deserve enormous congratulations and have proudly sealed your place - during such a disruptive year - in what is the definitive league table for British Franchising. We’d also like to say a special thank you to all of the judges who took part and the continued support from our sponsors and partners. Let’s hope 2021 proves to be a much different year for everyone! Elite Franchise Team

05


The EF100 2020 Celebratory Evening at HSBC Tower, London The EF100 winners joined us for a glittering awards gala evening with drinks reception, dinner, a selection of speakers and networking.



ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

SPONSORS HSBC is excited to again be involved with the Franchise 100 awards in 2021 and look forward to hosting the celebration dinner at our Global HQ in Canary Wharf.

BusinessesForSale.com is the largest database of business buyers, businesses and business intermediaries in the world. It currently has 60,000 businesses for sale on the site. The company will ensure your business achieves the highest level of prioritisation across all major search engines such as Google, MSN and Yahoo.

PARTNERS The Approved Franchise Association are proud to support Elite Franchise 100, great new innovative idea for the British franchise industry to recognise franchise companies both large and small on their performance, support and growth. Excited to be part of it. Claire Robinson, managing director, Extra Help Ltd

Established in 2004 Franchise UK provides details of UK franchise businesses for sale plus lot's of UK franchise information & franchising news. If you are considering buying a franchise opportunity then our franchise directory of UK franchises for sale will be an excellent resource of FREE franchising information.

Franchise Local offers the best franchise opportunities, support and advice for anyone looking to buy and run a franchise business in their local area.

08

Recognising the best in any industry is great for driving up standards. EF100 is the first quality publication to formally do this for the franchising industry and I commend them for doing it. Clive Sawyer, managing director Business Options

Many brands struggle to grab their respective audience’s attention through their marketing collateral, but Elite Franchise does a great job in catching your eye as soon as you start to read through their promotional material. Franchise Supermarket admire Elite for publishing Elite Franchise 100 as it gives readers a chance to really compare the performance of UK based franchises during the past 12 months. We look forward to seeing who makes the Top Spot! Ben Burcham, director, Franchise Supermarket

We’re always excited to be pairing our brand with Elite Franchise 100, Elite Franchise is known for it’s high-quality and informative content, which is transferred into their annual guide celebrating the top franchises. This is a real treat for the UK franchise industry. Rufus Bazley, marketing director, Franchisesales.com

Coconut Creatives is a strategic marketing company that works with franchisors to help them grow. With over a decade of experience in the franchise industry, we know how to create marketing strategies that effectively target and convert prospective franchisees.

We are a network of experienced franchise consultants and entrepreneurs that have achieved business success across several industries. Our franchise consulting services skills have been gained in the real world, delivering real results for new franchise businesses.

We are pleased to support the Elite Franchise 100. It’s a fantastic opportunity for the best of British franchises to gain recognition for their hard work and innovation. Carlo Walther, commercial director, Daltons Business

POINT FRANCHISE is a platform with a unique geo-localised search engine that helps franchisees find franchises that are developing in specific areas of the UK.

At EWIF, we’re looking to change the face of the franchise sector so that women have a much larger presence. Our primary focus is to support women who are looking for a route into the franchise industry. Our remit is threefold; to encourage women to consider buying a franchise, to encourage business women to franchise their existing operations and to help franchisors attract more women to their networks.

The Department for International Trade is a United Kingdom government department responsible for striking and extending trade agreements between the United Kingdom and non EU states.

Established in 1999, Franchiseek has helped thousands of prospective franchisees find their ideal franchise globally. franchise directory.


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

This year’s judges *Please note: we have endeavoured to recuse any judges that may have a conflict of interest from judging certain entries.

ANDREW BRATTESANI, UK Head of Franchising, HSBC Andy is the HSBC UK Head of Franchising. He has held a number of managerial roles within the bank, including his last role as Senior Area Commercial Director, leading the largest Commercial Banking team in the UK out of HSBC Headquarters in Canary Wharf with a portfolio of some 4,000 SME clients. He is a Banking Business Association (BBA) qualified mentor, which sees him mentoring SME’s who approach the Association for such services. As well as his U.K. roles, Andy has spent time in Hong Kong and Shanghai. He has supported; Argentina, Canada, France, Mexico & U.S open franchise businesses. His team also leverage a global network that covers some 66 countries and territories, which means they are uniquely placed to connect customers to opportunities as they expand internationally. HSBC has had a dedicated franchise unit for over 30 years and the team work closely with the bfa and its members to support ethical franchising. As part of that broader network of support, they work closely with the British Franchise Association (bfa) to encourage successful and ethical franchising. They also sponsor the bfa Franchisor and Franchisee of the Year awards. And it’s this approach that saw HSBC named as Best Franchisee Banking Provider at the Business Moneyfacts Awards 2019.

PAUL CLEGG Managing Director, Coconut Creatives Having been involved in franchising for over 12 years, Paul Clegg is more than qualified to join the Elite Franchise 100 judging panel. He has become a voice of authority through the franchises he has worked with, both in the past and as managing director of Coconut Creatives. Clegg’s opinion is often sought out as a recognised trusted advisor for understanding franchising challenges. In 2011 Clegg attained the bfa’s qualified franchise professional title, in recognition of his professional knowledge.

CLIVE SAWYER Managing Director, Business Options & Founder, EWIF Encouraging Women into Franchising Clive Sawyer is the founder and managing director of Business Options. Business Options is one of the UK’s leading franchise and business-expansion consultancies providing help, advice and support to companies looking to expand their business through franchising and, if not, find appropriate alternative expansion models such as licensing, distributorships or agencies. Sawyer has written three books on franchising: How to Franchise Your Business, 20 Most Asked Questions in Franchising and The Essential Women’s Guide to Buying a Franchise, all of which are available on Amazon and through the bfa’s bookstore.

FIONA BOSWELL QFP Partner and Head of the Franchise and Commercial Services, Knights plc Fiona is Partner and Head of the Franchise and Commercial Services, Knights plc. She is also the Midlands Regional Chair for Encouraging Women into Franchising (EWIF) where her services were recently commended as she was awarded Service Provider of the Year 2018. Fiona sits on the bfa External Relations Committee and is a British Franchise Association (bfa) Qualified Franchise Professional. She is recognised in legal directories as a recommended lawyer and leading individual in Franchising and writes and speaks regularly on the topic for legal and industry publications.

CARL READER, Chairman, d&t Chartered Accountants and Strategic Advisors Author of The Startup Coach and The Franchising Handbook, Carl Reader is a well-known small-business leader and expert as well as a serial entrepreneur who regularly provides comment to the BBC, The Guardian, The Mirror, the i paper and Forbes. He has a huge social media following – in excess of 100,000 across different platforms – and also is in the process of starring in his own upcoming TV show. He is widely regarded as a leading business advisor specialising in startups and small businesses and is in demand to speak internationally on a broad range of business and management subjects. He is a highly successful entrepreneur, heading up d&t, a multi-award winning accountancy firm.

09


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

Buy a coffee franchise. Coffee is big business: 2.2 billion coffee cups are consumed every year in coffee shops. It makes lots of money: Industry turnover in the UK is approx. £10.1 billion and grows at about 10% yearly. And it’s growing: Analysts predict the coffee shop sector will exceed 30,000 outlets and produce £15 billion turnover by 2025.

Visit FranchiseSales.com to find out more about buying a coffee franchise – and more!

XX


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

Everything you need to buy a franchise.

Friends for Pets

100

SEAR

Find a franchise...

Established in 2008, awardwinning Friends for Pets offer a wide range of home-based pet care services. These include dog walking, pet visits and dog boarding. Franchise partners benefit from becoming the market leader in the pet care industry, in their region.

Visit FranchiseSales.com

Browse opportunities, advice & more.

franchising? Could next member?

you be our

PASSIONATE ABOUT

WOMEN IN FRANCHISING?

ENCOURAGING WOMEN INTO FRANCHISING

Why not join our community of ambassadors? As a not for profit organisation run entirely by volunteers, we rely on our ambassador members for support and to carry out our mission to educate, inspire and empower more women into franchising. Are you passionate about encouraging more women into franchising? Could you be our next member? What do I get as an ambassador? Growth and Support Exclusive member offers Advice & guidance Mentoring

Marketing AND PR Website profile page News & case study promotion Speaking opportunities PR opportunities

EWiF Community

Free Regional Meetings Online community Annual Conference

Find out more about becoming an EWiF ambassador today! Visit ewif.org/becoming-an-ewif-ambassador

11


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

99 N U M B E R

E ST.

1983 N U MB ER OF FRANCH IS ES

10

SECTOR

Cleaning and hygiene

Techclean In a year dominated by Covid, the benefits of hiring a business like Techclean are obvious, as the need to keep people and equipment healthy and safe has moved to a whole new level

O

ften in life, if something seems too good to be true it probably is. However, in the case of Techclean, this opportunity really does offer an amazing return on investment, with franchisees expected to achieve a net profit margin of over 55% within the first year of trading. In today’s age of the superbug, office hygiene has shot straight to the top of most companies’ list

of priorities. Techclean meets this growing demand from businesses and organisations by providing a top-quality cleaning service for office equipment that comes into regular contact with human hands – including laptops, PCs, printers, photocopiers and telephones. Data rooms, music studios and computer suites are part of our repertoire. Techclean franchisees have witnessed an increase in demand

IN VE STM ENT LEV EL

£19,500 + VAT

for their services during the Covid-19 pandemic, with office managers keen to ensure their workplace is Covid secure. Making sure that user workstations are hygienically maintained is central to businesses remaining open. Swab tests have proved that there are more harmful bacteria on a computer keyboard than a toilet seat. General office cleaners may flick a duster over the keyboards and wipe around the desk but they can rarely achieve the level of cleanliness that is essential to keeping bugs at bay and extending the life of the equipment. Franchise territories are generous: Each catchment area includes at least 10,000 businesses. No premises are needed, making this franchise a perfect business to run from home and with minimal outlay. The perfect owner will be well organised, ambitious and good with people, and ideally have an aptitude for sales and marketing. No previous cleaning experience is required as full training is given.

thebardongroup.co.uk/techclean

12


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

Build your network Find out how HSBC can connect you to franchise opportunities. Visit: www.business.hsbc.uk/franchising Or contact our Franchise team: Tel: 0121 455 3438* Email: franchiseunit@hsbc.com *Phone line is monitored 9am to 5pm, Mon to Fri (ex. Bank Holidays)

Together we thrive HSBC UK Bank plc. Registered in England & Wales with number 09928412. Registered Office: 1 Centenary Square, Birmingham, B1 1HQ, United Kingdom. Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Our Financial Services Register number is 765112. AC52440

XX


NU M BER

ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

98

Furniture Medic

F

urniture is in all our homes and businesses, but sadly not all pieces last forever and will eventually need to be either replaced or restored. This is when Furniture Medic becomes involved. In our throw-away society, a Furniture Medic business is a vital service for all those people who want to preserve the environment by restoring their much-loved furnituremedic.co.uk/franchise-opportunities

Buy a property franchise. A lucrative market A resilient sector Large earning potential

Visit FranchiseSales.com to find out more about buying a property franchise.

14

furniture, rather than throwing it away. Heirlooms, antiques and other cherished items can usually be restored by our Furniture Medic experts. We train you in not only the technical aspects of the business, but in all of the other essential business disciplines too. There is much to learn when you use our tools, products, finishes, materials and techniques. In fact, training with us never stops and you never get tired of learning. You will build relationships with local businesses and residents. You will keep commercial premises looking spic and span, while also taking care of furniture in private family homes. You can create a flexible lifestyle by owning your own franchise with Furniture Medic. If you’d like to own your own business, contact a member of our friendly recruitment team today and make your dreams become a reality.


Want more sales from your reviews? We can help!

ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

TRUSTist is the leading customer reviews platform in the franchise sector!

We aggregate your reviews from every reviews site, location by location – spend less time monitoring your reputation

We get stars in your organic Google search results for every location – more customers for your franchisees

We get stars in your organic Google search results for franchise recruitment – sell more franchises

We automatically share 4- and 5-star reviews to social media – more engagement Easily collect new reviews with QR codes – more reviews quickly We deliver location by location metrics – consistently outperform the competition in Google

Book your free personalised demo now: trustist.org/demo

Call: 01904 217 110 Email: james.boyes@trustist.com XX


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

E ST.

2006 NUM B E R O F F RA N C H I S E S

14

SEC TO R

Education I NV E STM E N T L E VE L

£14,950 + VAT

97 N U M B E R

C

omputerXplorers is the country’s leading provider of computing, coding and programming education for children aged three to 13. The clubs and classes are linked to the national curriculum and, with over 200 pieces of curriculum, lesson plans and updates for parents, the range is comprehensive and the breadth of offering substantial. The business has a number of income streams, including after-school clubs, pre-school and nurseries, holiday camps and in-curriculum time classes. To combat the impact of Covid-19 in 2020, we also launched online classes. Each generous territory includes at least 150 primary schools and 150 pre-schools/nurseries. Franchisees are responsible for managing and marketing the business, which involves contacting and meeting with professionals,

16

ComputerXplorers Take advantage of the booming education market by joining forces with ComputerXplorers, the leading franchise in its sector, and help the next generation of children to increase their knowledge of computer programming including head teachers, nursery owners and holiday programme leaders. With no significant competition, this franchise is ideal for people who want to combine running their own business with raising a family. And being a home-based management franchise, the business will benefit from its low operational costs and high margins. While we are looking for people who are confident with technology and enthusiastic about its benefits, franchisees don’t have to be IT experts, as they will recruit, train and manage a team of people to deliver the classes. The initial fee includes substantial software/licences, a bespoke marketing launch programme, appointment generating system, website, marketing material, training, manuals, plus licence to trade. ComputerXplorers is owned

by The Bardon Group who run a stable of four franchise companies and have a combined experience of over 70 years in franchising. The company provides on-going comprehensive support that includes: Curriculum development, marketing, PR, business planning, regular conference calls and at least one annual network meeting. Stephen Hall, a ComputerXplorers’ franchisee from Birmingham, says: “ComputerXplorers do exactly what they promise they will do and it helps that they are such a nice team of people to work with.”

thebardongroup.co.uk/computerxplorers


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

NU M B ER

96 FILTAFRY

F

or over 20 years FiltaFry has been providing an outstanding franchise concept that specialises in cleaning deep fryers and recycling cooking oil. It’s rare that environmental initiatives go handin-hand with profit strategies, but FiltaFry is a green franchise that has managed to combine the two. To date it operates in over 13 countries around the world with more than 350 franchisees. In times of economic uncertainty, businesses that deal in food production, such as restaurants, hotels, schools, stadiums and hospitals look to reduce overheads in any way they can. FiltaFry offers a niche service that blends the benefits of cost reduction with the social responsibility of being eco-friendly.

The service provides an on-site fryer management service, which includes temperature calibration, oil micro-filtration and a thorough vacuum-based detail cleaning of each fryer, every visit. The cleaning and maintenance of commercial fryers can be a dangerous task for employees, which can often result in serious burns, falls and other injuries. FiltaFry eliminates these risks by providing a quick, safe, clean and cost effective service to maintain fryers without interrupting day to day operations.

PUT YOUR FRANCHISEES IN THE SPOTLIGHT Proven formula gets franchisees off the ground with media coverage

Quality brand exposure to put your franchisee in the spotlight

S IONY T T ELA TEG ENTNS EN IA R TRAONTT IO T S N D LA CO ME GY NT C E R E IA ATONTE D R ST C METEGYENT S S RA NT ON ION ST COLATIEGY NT T RE RAT NTEIONS ELA A R I ST COLAT D IA ME RE A I D ME

Development of story ideas and unique pitch angles to get your franchisee noticed

Build valuable relationships with the right local and regional media contacts

Increase customer awareness and franchisee satisfaction.

Let us help you take your franchisees to the next level with a robust PR strategy designed to drive awareness and support business growth. We work directly with franchisees for a truly personal service.

EVERY GOOD FRANCHISOR KNOWS THAT FRANCHISEE SUCCESS EQUALS FRANCHISOR SUCCESS.

filtafryplus.co.uk

Our grand opening and local PR packages are ideal for both B2B and B2C brands. Designed to kick-start a new franchisee’s business and boost customer traffic to specific locations.

MAXIMUM IMPACT FOR YOUR NETWORK, MINIMUM IMPACT ON YOUR TIME.

lucy@revpr.co.uk www.revpr.co.uk

17


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

NU M B ER

95

Tidy Green Clean T

idy Green Clean (TGC) was founded in 2016 by Andrew Alleway and David Moncur. It’s a unique commercial cleaning franchise model that offers staff entrepreneurial opportunities and exceptional value, while providing environmentally-sound solutions for clients. Headquartered in Aberdeen, and with franchises in Scotland and England, this start-up model – with minimal costs and finance – is one of a kind in the UK as it elevates the role of cleaner into

NU M BER

94 Kidslingo

18

that of an entrepreneur. TGC is committed to paying the living wage and guarantees staff a 30-hour working week, which is a radical departure for the industry. This means staff retention is above 90%. TGC has ISO 14001, the global environmental standard critical for a company claiming green credentials. It is committed to protecting the surrounding environment and TGC has also achieved two other standards: ISO 9001 (quality management) and

K

idslingo is a language franchise which teaches French and Spanish to children up to the age of 11, via a network of over 120 franchisees and tutors. Kidslingo’s philosophy is simple: To inspire children to love languages for life, with the aim of fostering inquisitiveness for language learning from their earliest years. The innovative language learning programme is a unique and fun combination of play-based, multi-sensory learning that engages children with languages in a very natural manner. Franchisees run classes in schools (both curriculum teaching and clubs), nurseries, community venues, private homes and online. Both online and face-to-face, the classes combine songs, games, actions, story-telling and drama. Kidslingo was launched in October 2013 and has grown from strength to

ISO 45001 (health and safety). The ethos of TGC is to build strong working relationships with customers, where personal service and attention to detail makes a huge difference. It has comprehensively overhauled the use of technology within the industry, developing management tools to revolutionise staff and site management. This gives franchisees secure control over their operations and provides customers with transparency, as well as total confidence in the service they receive.

tidygreenclean.co.uk

strength since then. Franchisees receive a comprehensive training package and ongoing support from a dedicated Head Office team. In addition, the community of fellow franchisees provide everyday mentoring, moral support and business inspiration. Business and marketing achievements for both Head Office and individual franchisees have been recognised through a range of awards from organisations including: Approved Franchise Association, Encouraging Women Into Franchising (EWIF), Best Franchise, What’s On 4 Kids, Club Hub and Best Business Women Awards. Kidslingo is Gold Accredited by The Children’s Activities Association (CAA).

kidslingo.co.uk/join-the-team


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

93 N U M B E R

EST.

1987 N U MBE R OF FRAN CH ISE S

69 SECTOR

B2B Marketing IN VE STME N T LE VE L

£9950 + VAT

DOR-2-DOR Simple is often best, as epitomised by DOR-2-DOR who are delivering strong results for both their clients and UK franchise partners

D

OR-2-DOR is the UK’s largest network which specialises in professional printing and leaflet distribution. According to research undertaken by Direct Marketing Association (DMA), letterbox marketing has increased significantly since the early 1990s. This seems remarkable, considering the development of the internet and its various online tools which can distribute pages and pages of material in milliseconds. Letterbox marketing is a very important and popular method for promoting businesses and local services. It’s a huge part of the £45bn direct marketing industry in the UK, with a large number of companies using door drops to advertise their wares. In 1987, founder & CEO Jeff Frankling started a cooperative direct mail service, specialising in door-to-door distribution of colourful packs of discount vouchers. And, following the phenomenal growth of the letterbox marketing industry, many clients began asking DOR-2-DOR to both print and deliver their leaflets. With a rapidly growing number of clients requiring a reliable distribution service, DOR-2-DOR has now developed into a full door-drop marketing business. There are many TV & radio stations, a plethora of magazines, along with an ever expanding number of online outlets. However, there is still usually only one letterbox per residence and, because the medium works so well, advertisers are turning more and more to the door drop, in order to get their messages heard. DOR-2-DOR works with local shops, businesses, national franchise chains and government organisations. This tried and tested system of using the simple letterbox has produced exceptional returns on investment for the many clients of DOR-2-DOR. Franchising began in 2001 and has grown to nearly 70 outlets throughout the UK. The franchise includes D2D-Works, a cloud-based bespoke software package which is an essential part of the business model. It has been developed to help maximise orders, while presenting a professional image to customers, as well as those employed to undertake the daily posting of material.

franchise.dor2dor.com

19


NU M B ER

ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

92

R

osemary Bookkeeping offers a genuine work from home franchise, where no previous bookkeeping experience is necessary. The model offers low overheads and high margins, serving a wide range of clients within the B2B sector. Rosemary Bookkeeping is an established name of almost 20 years and offers an affordable, professional bookkeeping service that supports both clients and accountants. It allows your clients to concentrate on what they do best – running their business. If HMRC go ahead with plans to make tax digital for small businesses and introduce a quarterly tax submission requirement for all SMEs, then the potential for Rosemary Bookkeeping franchisees will become even greater. Franchise

partners can choose their working hours to suit their needs. They can also sub-contract work, making the franchise model truly scalable and an opportunity to suit their desired lifestyle. We’re currently recruiting for new franchise partners in a number of areas across the country. No experience is needed, just a positive attitude and the motivation to succeed in business. We will help you get your knowledge up to speed in all of the necessary business disciplines, which include marketing, operations, administration, sales and IT. If you’d like to own your own business, contact a member of our friendly recruitment team today and make your dreams become a reality.

F

Oltco, is the world’s first sustainable resin driveway solution made utilising waste plastic that is already in circulation. Since launching in January 2019, Recycle Bound has recycled the equivalent of over 40 million plastic straws. Oltco is continuously looking for new ways it can make a positive impact on the environment and the company is proud to have made the switch from plastic resin packaging to recyclable metal tins, in order to reduce waste. Oltco now boasts an expanding franchise network and, after launching 16 new areas during 2020, it brings the overall UK total to 27.

N U M BER

Rosemary Bookkeeping

91

Oltco 20

ounded in 2004, Oltco is the UK’s leading sustainable resin bound company and is a new entry in the Elite Franchise top 100 list for this year. With its headquarters in Cornwall, Oltco specialises in creating stunning driveway, patio, pathway, balcony and pool surround transformations. Oltco’s ethos is ‘to feel good about the work that we do and the decisions that we make.’ Oltco’s two directors, Tom Stringer and Johnny Pearce, are passionate about creating innovative products that benefit both their customers and the environment. This passion for innovation resulted in the launch of Recycle Bound. Recycle Bound, developed by and exclusive to

rosemaryfranchise.co.uk

oltco.co.uk


NU M B ER

ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

90

Wilkins Chimney Sweep

89

T

he need for chimney sweeps has increased significantly in recent years with the rise in the number of wood burning stove installations. With over 120 years of history, Wilkins Chimney Sweep was franchised in 2011 and is the only bfa accredited chimney sweep franchise. Franchisees start as owneroperators and grow to running multiple vans offering chimney sweeping services, as well as fitting bird and rain protection to chimneys. They also provide a wider consultancy and advice service. In the ‘off-season’ they offer driveway and patio cleaning. With award-winning marketing support, a bespoke back office system and unique in-van technology, new franchisees are set up immediately after their three weeks of training. Positive cash flow from an early stage and repeat business brings recurring income.

Boogie Beat Music & Movement

Our partners run profitable businesses from home and with our support. They can make choices about work/life balance, while managing home and social commitments. It is an ideal choice for people looking to escape corporate life, yet continue to work to high professional standards and earn a good living. We are looking for people who are self-motivated, friendly and enthusiastic with a business aptitude. No previous experience of chimney sweeping is required – just the right attitude and a willingness to learn and follow a model.

franchisechimneysweep.co.uk

Buy an existing franchise

Established in 2000, our music and movement sessions are based on traditional fairy tales combined with a lively and active dance twist for babies to 7 year olds. Our diverse franchise business offers community classes, workshops in nurseries, schools, intergeneration and parties.

Search 100s of franchise resales now Visit bfsale.co.uk/eliteresales

Foo d

fra

nch

n’s dre Chil chises n a r f

ise

s

ises

anch Pet fr

Fast Fran Food chise s

Coffe e fran

chise

s

Pizza s hise franc

Fitn rty ess Prope f hise ranchi Franc ses

21


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

88

GutterPRO

Everything you need to buy a pizza delivery franchise.

GutterPRO is a Low Cost, Fast Start, franchise with over 50 Territories granted during the last three years. We are professional gutter cleaners ‘Safe and sound, we do it from the ground’ is our mantra. And our professionalism is proven by over 7,000 reviews.

Browse opportunities, advice & more.

N U M BER

87 Headcase Barbers

E

stablished 20 years ago, Headcase Barbers is the largest franchised barber group in the UK. And with more than 30 outlets from Edinburgh in Scotland, to Godalming in Surrey, we are also the fastest growing. We have nine franchisees in London alone and an international presence in South Africa and Ireland. The vision of Headcase Barbers is to restore the barber shop to the centre of the local community. We also seek to revive the experience of first-class barbering in a relaxed and welcoming environment. We

22

offer excellent customer service and great music to help keep you relaxed, whether you are sitting in the barber’s chair, or waiting to be called. There is a significant business reward for creating an authentic destination venue, which customers can look forward to time and time again. To join us on our journey, no experience is necessary. Our essential service provides an excellent investment opportunity with first class support from the Headcase brand. We will assist you in finding the right premises, shop design and launch. We also help with your ongoing marketing, and make regular visits as we seek to boost your return on investment potential. Third party and Headcase financial packages are available, and we’ll advise you on all business plans in your search to secure funding – if required. headcase-barbers.com


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

86 N U M B E R

diddi dance

E ST.

2003 N U MB ER OF FRA NCH IS ES

40

diddi dance has more than 50 franchised territories across the UK and there is plenty of room for more business partners to join this expanding company which gets children moving

d

iddi dance provides classes for boys and girls aged five and under, and can be hired for parties, as well as nursery and school sessions. Online classes have now been set up, providing extra revenue streams alongside the growing merchandise provision too. Activities include original music, multiple dance props and unique lesson plans, with a syllabus aimed at engaging children who love dancing to music. With an ongoing focus on getting children moving, diddi dance continues to grow across the UK highlighting the importance of the physical and emotional benefits of physical activity in the early years. It began as a single class in 2003 in London. As interest grew in 2006, Anne-Marie Martin, the founder, looked into franchising her concept, so she furthered the format of her classes, which guaranteed new dance styles. These were launched every half term, over a

two-year cycle, aimed at keeping lessons fresh and fun but not losing the security of enough repetition to help the children grow in confidence. After producing a few diddi dance pilots between 2006 and 2009, franchising was officially launched 11 years ago. Since then, diddi dance has grown and currently has over 40 separate franchisees covering more than 50 territories across the UK. Franchisees are in business for themselves but not by themselves. It gives them the flexibility to work around family life, provide valuable support to their local community and create a rewarding business. They also have the valued support of Anne-Marie’s experience and her support team to help guide them – and especially during this challenging year. If you’re passionate about giving children a great first introduction to being physically active, then this is the all-singing, all-dancing franchise opportunity for you.

SECTOR

Children's Activities IN VESTM ENT L EV EL

£4,995 + VAT

diddidance.com/franchise

23


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

85 N U M B E R

THE HOLIDAY FRANCHISE COMPANY E ST.

2018 NUM B E R O F F R A N C HI S E S

33 SEC TO R

Travel I NV E STM E N T L E VE L

£13,745+

24

According to The Holiday Franchise Company, ‘quality is more important than quantity’ when appointing new franchisees, with all new business partners afforded equal status as the franchisor

W

e started our franchise business in 2016, after recognising the need to welcome and support people into the industry as business owners. These were people who hadn’t worked in travel, but were entrepreneurial, had great skill sets and were extremely passionate and well-travelled. We offer a unique franchise model in the travel industry: We tailor franchisees’ businesses around their own travel experiences. Our model puts the franchisee in control. It enables our franchisees to benefit from our reputation, experience, tools, systems, commercials, and more, but they actually create their own brand to trade under, which means they are growing capital value in their own business, not ours. We support the franchisee in brand creation, but we handover all intellectual property rights to them. We don’t want people to be bound to us because we own them, we want to earn


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

their loyalty and have them stay with us because we offer them the highest levels of support. Ethical franchising is one of our core values, so we are proud to be the first travel franchise to be accredited by both the Approved Franchise Association and The British Franchise Association. We ensure all our franchisees are treated equally. This is a key area, where we are proud to differentiate ourselves from our competitors. We do not amend our prices or run special offers/discounts to put people under pressure to sign with us. We want people to have the time to research the different models available and we proactively ask potential franchisees to research our competitors, to ensure they are making an informed decision. Our recruitment process is stringent,

and we turn away more people than we take on. We look for quality, not quantity. The final stage involves a business meeting, which lasts half-a-day, with our Director and Head of Sales and Marketing, to assess the viability of the business. None of our competitors offer this service. We want the franchisee to understand the cash flow the business could generate, and whether this meets the needs of their lifestyle ambitions. Our holding company is multiaward winning Holidaysplease, which launched in 2002 on just a £6K investment. This business now turns over in excess of £30m, employing 30 members of staff and a homeworking team of more than 100. And the business is currently ranked as the number one travel agent on Trust Pilot.

Our franchisees benefit from our first-hand experience, so they don’t need to make the same mistakes as we did early in our journey. Successfully building and running our online travel agency ensures our franchisees are working with travel professionals, who fully understand the industry, the role and the challenges they will face. This experience has enabled us to create a training programme and a range of tools, to ensure franchisees have the skills needed to become a successful online travel agent. We are the only travel franchise whose training is accredited by The Institute of Travel & Tourism and is delivered oneto-one. This ensures we can focus on the franchisee’s individual and business training needs, and the franchisee receives a maximum return on their investment and time. The same team supports a franchisee throughout their entire journey, from initial enquiry to going live. This means we have intimate knowledge of the franchisee and their business. Each franchisee has a Business Development Executive who supports on every aspect of their business. We continually evolve our offering to ensure it is of the highest standard, with any updates rolled out at no extra charge. Our franchisees are at the heart of everything we do.

holidayfranchisecompany.com

25


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

NU M B ER

84 Jackson Fire & Security

alarms, access control, intruder alarms and CCTV. This is the fourth straight year Jackson has earned a spot in the Elite Franchise top 100 list.

FOR FIRE & SECURITY SOLUTIONS jacksonfire.co.uk/franchise

FOR FIRE & SECURITY SOLUTIONS

DO YOUR PROSPECTS TRUST YOU? Use PR to build trust and credibility: ✓

Add value with thought leadership and expert advice

Educate and entertain to build strong relationships

Demonstrate market demand through franchisee success stories

Reach your target audiences in their own preferred media.

How do you engage without the hard sell? Build trust without over pursuing? Inspire without boasting?

We help franchisors to look internally to find the stories that will make an impact and reach potential franchisees.

We know what works and, crucially, what doesn’t. Now, more than ever, prospects know when they are being sold to, and they don’t always like it. Your PR and your content must add value, entertain and inform. That’s where we come in.

AT REV PR, WE USE REAL STORIES, ABOUT REAL PEOPLE IN REAL BUSINESSES. WE ENSURE YOUR PROSPECTS FIND POSITIVE, ENGAGING PR AT EVERY STAGE OF THEIR JOURNEY, FROM INITIAL ENQUIRY TO DUE DILIGENCE.

26

CO NT S ST E T RE RA MEDNT RAT LA TIO C TEG IA CO EG NS ON Y REL NTEY T S ST MEENTTRAATIONT R ME T N D DIA CATEGIA RCONEGY S REONT Y ELA TEN TIO T ST LAT ENT RA IO ME NS TE NS DIA GY R

are legally obligated to seek out and manage a host of suppliers for reliable fire safety and security services. They need solutions and they would be delighted to satisfy their requirements from a single, professional, reliable provider. Jackson Fire & Security make their lives and jobs easier by providing these services to the highest of standards. You benefit immediately from our NSI Gold standard accreditations for fire and security. Jackson Fire & Security can offer a complete package of maintenance services to commercial customers, including fire extinguishers, fire

lucy@revpr.co.uk www.revpr.co.uk

DIA

ackson Fire & Security is the first Fire and Security business to provide access to this lucrative market as a franchise offering. A Jackson franchise offers a potentially excellent return on investment, a strong and immediately recognisable brand and a sterling reputation from our large and growing client base. With almost 30 years of experience delivering industry leading service, we are ideally positioned to help you meet the demand for a comprehensive fire and security solution in your area. Office and facilities managers

ME

J


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

83 N U M B E R

Flip Out

Entering the Elite Franchise top 100 standings for the first time is Flip Out, who have 26 indoor adventure and leisure parks across the UK

F

lip Out is a global business with around 90 indoor adventure parks worldwide and 26 in the UK. We are one of the fastest growing companies in this sector, operating a flexible franchise model. Our centres range in size between 15,000 and 65,000 square feet, while selling in excess of 2,750,000 hourly sessions to UK customers every year. Flip Out is a community-based business that brings families together to enjoy our facilities and take exercise. It is a business where you can involve your family and enjoy building a future together. Many of our franchisees join us with little or no experience of either the leisure sector or franchising. We offer a comprehensive support package to ensure franchisees are supported every step of the way. We’ve worked hard to develop an outstanding business model, along with industry leading support. Many new

EST.

2015 N U MBE R OF FRAN CH ISE S

26 SECTOR

Leisure IN VE STME N T LE VE L

£200,000

franchisees like our simple model based on our key areas of trading, supported by our central management team and exclusive support systems. It can be daunting when opening a 30,000 square foot leisure venue for the first time, but master franchisee Richard Beese says: “Many of our franchisees come to us with little or no experience. I am proud of the team here at Flip Out who support our franchisees throughout their time with us." Our team advises new franchisees on everything from what equipment to include, the style of food to be offered in the diner, what sessions to offer and pricing. And we encourage them to engage with the community and support local charities, as well as national events such as Children in Need. We have developed industry leading insurance, along with health and safety packages. Flip Out welcomes applications from people who are highly driven and want to join our successful team. If this sounds like you, then we’d like to hear from you. flipout.co.uk

27


NU M B ER

ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

82

Just Shutters A family company established in 2006, Just Shutters is the fastest-growing independent retail shutter company in the UK. With shutters becoming the preferred window covering of choice, this market is growing and developing at a rapid pace. Just Shutters offer the largest choice of shutters on the market, and have been researched and sourced from the highest quality manufacturer in the industry. With a reputation for customer service excellence, Just Shutters is rapidly becoming the market leader. There are now Just Shutters franchises in cities throughout the UK and they are all sharing in this success. An investment of £27,000

secures a Just Shutters franchise and a five-year renewable licence. Along with this there’s an exclusive dedicated sales area, product samples, branded clothing, vehicle branding, stationery and marketing materials, plus point of sale products. Franchisees benefit from a unique hands-on training programme, and a tried and tested model, which ensures franchisees hit the ground running. Just Shutters firmly believe in family values and co-operation across all partners to maximise

returns. The main aim is for franchisees to grow with the company and benefit from a superior quality lifestyle while enjoying great earning potential. Share in this success and turn your life around.

shutter-franchise.co.uk

ARE YOU USING DIGITAL MARKETING & THE POWER OF YOUR FRANCHISE NETWORK EFFECTIVELY? BOOK A DIGITAL STRATEGY MEETING WITH COCONUT At Coconut we have worked with many of the UK’s leading franchise brands and manage digital marketing campaigns for 000’s of franchisees. We understand how to leverage the power of digital marketing within franchise networks, centralising activity and harnessing the power of collective reporting and data. Within our strategy meeting we will review your: • • • • •

Website Performance / Analytics Google Organic and PPC Performance Social Media coverage and paid advertising Reporting tools and data Opportunities and ways to enhance the power of your network.

If you are interested in booking a Digital Strategy Meeting with Coconut contact info@coconutcreatives.co.uk or call 01725 511673.

28


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

NU M B ER

81 TruGreen

A

TruGreen franchise allows individuals to escape the confines of the office and enjoy a healthier, happier career in the great outdoors. With a worldwide business and 40 years of creating beautiful lawns around the UK, TruGreen Lawn Care is a well-known brand which customers know and trust. After completing our comprehensive training academy, you will be able to recognise grass species and lawn diseases, enabling you to advise customers about their lawns and which TruGreen package is best for them.

Technical training, business coaching and unlimited support are provided by the franchisor. ServiceMaster’s resident lawn care expert, who has over 40 years of experience in professional sports turf management and external training, will assist you towards gaining PA1 and PA6 Chemical Spraying qualifications. Our proven franchise model is designed to maximise all-yearround opportunity and our business management software (exclusive to TruGreen business owners), will keep track of sales and marketing intelligence, so you can focus on building your business. As your business grows, you’ll recruit additional technicians and invest in vans and equipment. There is no upper limit with TruGreen. If you’d like to own your own business, contact a member of our friendly recruitment team today and make your dreams become a reality. trugreenfranchise.co.uk

Buy a sandwich franchise. Britain’s favourite food Industry in the UK is valued at £5.6 billion 11.5bn sandwiches consumed each year

Visit FranchiseSales.com to find out more about buying a property franchise.

29


NU M BER

NU M B ER

ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

Diamond Home Support

80

79

Lingotot

J

oin one of the UK’s boom sectors by taking on a franchise with Diamond Home Support With head offices in Sittingbourne, Kent, Diamond Home Support is a cleaning, home help and gardening management franchise which provides a much-needed service to the nation’s ageing population. Nearly five million UK households currently employ a cleaner and there has been a substantial rise during recent years. The network currently has over 60 franchisees, covering approximately 50% of the UK, so there are still plenty of sizeable vacant territories available for new recruits who wish to join this award-winning business. Franchisees have the option of either taking the plunge by going full time, or alternatively easing themselves in by operating the new business in their spare time. This

is sometimes a less hectic route to take, with the added bonus of running your franchise from your own home. Franchisees can join this growing industry for a low start-up fee of £4,995 (plus VAT). Diamond will provide your first 40 customer leads, as well as unlimited training and support from day one. And this is the message one of our franchisees would like to tell potential new recruits: “The support from head office is excellent and I can thoroughly recommend Diamond Home Support to anyone who is looking to build a long term business with excellent residual income.”

fter its foundation in 2010 by CEO Anglea Sterling, Lingotot has seen rapid growth across the UK. Lingotot now proudly demonstrates their popularity as an education franchise with over fifty franchisees who employ a further eighty-plus teachers. During the second national lockdown in England they welcomed five new franchisees, hosting them for their biggest ever training weekend. When franchisees join Lingotot, they are welcomed into a supportive, friendly and professional network. They have the opportunity

to gain OfQual regulated teaching qualifications, a franchise business qualification, and many other certificates in areas such as safeguarding, data protection and first aid. They will also receive ongoing, personalised support and training within every area of their business. At Lingotot, classes are interactive, communicative and fun. They aim to instill and nurture a love of languages in local communities by engaging children through songs, stories and play. Angela, a mum of two and a fully qualified teacher, worked for Newcastle and Southampton universities researching language acquisition at different ages. From this she developed and perfected the Lingotot method of learning. The ultimate goal is not only to progress children's academic abilities, but to introduce them to the concept of an interlinked global community.

A

diamondhomesupport.com

lingotot.com

30


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

78

Little Learners

SPECIALIST PR SERVICES FOR FRANCHISORS ✓ Increase brand awareness ✓ Get more exposure for your franchise ✓ Build trust and credibility with prospects

Reach potential customers and franchisees through powerful storytelling.

S IONY T T S LA G N RE RATENTEIN O A I T S COLAT D E M EGY NT RE T NTE DIA A STR CO METEGYENT S NTTIONY NSSTRA O O I C T T ELA TEGTEN NS LA R A E R O N R IA ST CO ATI ED L DIA M E RE M A I D ME

Little Learners is an awardwinning children’s activity franchise that aims to teach children early writing skills through messy play and more. There are now over 30 franchisees running Little Learners’ classes, parties and events across the UK, with another four partners in Australia.

STAND OUT, BE SEEN, BE HEARD.

lucy@revpr.co.uk www.revpr.co.uk

Buy a care home franchise.

Industry worth an estimated £8 billion in the UK Growing demand for services Low investment

Visit FranchiseSales.com to find out more about buying a care home franchise.

31


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

77 N U M B E R

E ST.

2018 N U MB ER OF FRANCH IS ES

80 SECTOR

Coffee Shop IN VE STM ENT LEV EL

ÂŁ25,000 +

T

Triple Two Coffee

From humble beginnings in Wiltshire, Triple Two Coffee is now one of the fastest growing franchises in the country, oozing par excellence in every department of the business 32

riple Two Coffee was founded after a significant gap in the market was identified: A need for a coffee chain that would not only meet the ever-growing demand for high quality coffee, but also provide a fresh, delicious food offering. In 2016, Triple Two started from humble beginnings with a kiosk store inside the Brunel Shopping Centre in Swindon. And in the same Wiltshire town four months later, they unveiled their 3,000 square foot flagship store in Havelock Square. Since first launching they have opened another 18 stores across the UK, with sites currently being developed in Newport, Worthing, Soho, Kingston, Bristol and Bournemouth. The brand continues to go from strength to strength. In every Triple Two outlet you will only find the highest quality speciality coffee. This experience and dedication to producing the highest quality hand-roasted coffee ensures that each Triple Two cup is consistently smooth and full of flavour.


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

Triple Two provide a coffee shop experience like no other. Awesome coffee naturally demands great food, and theirs is handmade with the freshest and most locally sourced ingredients possible. Their fantastic food development team are constantly inventing recipes and finding new ways for you to enjoy the taste of Triple Two. Whether it be their corporate catering or coffee delivery services, they provide nothing but the absolute best for their customers. Every Triple Two has a bespoke menu, tailored to each individual location. This now includes a lounge concept, which can feature cocktails, sushi or pizza. Triple Two have established themselves as a unique brand, designed to emulate excellence in every way. Everything revolves around providing their business partners and customers with an outstanding experience and without any compromise. They keep quality and sustainability at the heart of every decision. The Triple Two team work closely with all new franchisees every step of the way. With years of experience and knowledge in the hospitality and coffee industries, the team have a passion and pride about the

service and product they provide. The whole process is managed by their in-house team, who work hard to guarantee success. You begin the process with Triple Two’s property team, who are on hand for maximum support while choosing your location – and throughout negotiations too. You are then introduced to the project manager, who goes on to manage the entire shop fitting process and ensures each project is value engineered to the maximum level. Triple Two’s interior design team work to create a state-of-the-art setting that cannot be matched anywhere else on the high street. They use original bespoke water cut Triple Two tiles and stunning seating arrangements that are complemented by a light, clean and calming baby blue colour palette. Their brand design exhibits style and comfort that reflects a contemporary feel and welcoming ambience in every store. This support continues, with experienced operations and training teams for every franchisee. They run franchisee, recruitment and barista days, with readily available on-going

training. Triple Two’s marketing team also work closely on every project, delivering bespoke marketing plans for each new store opening – and beyond. All social media, in-store point of sale, app development and monthly campaigns are centrally managed by experienced marketing people. This team includes a professional photographer, who keeps content fun, fresh and easy for customers to connect and engage with. Triple Two is an exciting brand, with a food, coffee and interior design offering that is superior to their competitors – and is growing both nationally and internationally. They are confident that the service and product they provide will guarantee customers never leave disappointed and that they will be the first choice for coffee lovers around the globe.

tripletwocoffee.com

33


NU M B ER

ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

76

ServiceMaster Restore I

N U M BER

f you’re unexcited by the typical 9-to-5 grind of an average day and looking for something much more challenging, stimulating and of course rewarding, then a ServiceMaster Restore franchise could be just for you. There is no such thing as ‘ground hog day,’ as you will be responding to urgent ‘pleas for help’, to clear up disasters from in the home or business. Flood, fire or trauma, you will use your expertise to report, advise and deliver the most appropriate restoration services, enabling valuable and much-loved items to return to their previous state. Comprehensive training will leave

75

Signs Express

you equipped to deal with any disaster, by professionally and effectively using your specialist knowledge, tools and equipment. Some situations may require help in the form of our technical support manager and experienced franchise network. This kind of work is not for the faint-hearted. As such, the urgency and expertise required is reflected in the ticket price, making for a great money-making opportunity. Utilise the established brand, unlimited support and proven

money-making business model to make a living in this unpredictable yet profitable industry. If you’d like to make the leap to owning your own business, then contact a member of our friendly recruitment team today.

E

Signs Express offers a franchise opportunity with a big difference. So, if you’re ready to find out more about how you can achieve an excellent income, create new prospects and have the lifestyle you want, we want to hear from you. Following your enquiry, you will receive a franchise prospectus and you can speak with a member of our franchise recruitment team, before attending one of our free discovery days. So please don’t hesitate, contact us now.

stablished for more than 30 years, Signs Express has a network of over 60 centres around the UK which provide bespoke, quality solutions and unparalleled customer service. Become your own boss, enjoy healthy profits, as well as benefit from our dedicated support team, while securing your own financial future. No industry experience is necessary for signingup to become one of our new franchisees.

servicemasterrestore.co.uk

Benefits include: • Start-up accelerator investment • Dedicated UK Franchise Support Centre • Comprehensive business planning • Training and on-going support • Access to thousands of sales leads • Monday – Friday working hours Signs Express has featured in the Elite Franchise top 100 list for four straight years. franchise.signsexpress.co.uk

34


NU M B ER

ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

74

Pink Connect

P

ink Connect has been providing leading edge business communication services to thousands of UK businesses, both large and small, since 2002. Led by customer demand, market trends and a deep understanding of SME business needs, we have developed a comprehensive range of smart communication products and services that almost all UK business must have. The Pink Connect franchise package provides everything the right person requires to start and grow a highly successful and profitable residual income business. We have a solid

10-year franchising history, which clearly demonstrates that our franchisees retain a monthly profit of 32% of turnover. Our franchisees are happy to meet you at one of our discovery events or over the phone once you are clear you want to take the next steps. Many franchises require the franchisee to swap their time for money in a linear way, much like any job. Imagine a lawn cutting franchise: You book your first one-hour lawn cut and agree to return weekly. This is great ‘repeat’ business, but when you have 10 customers, seven days a week, you eventually have no more time to exchange for money. So there is no further growth. The Pink Connect business model is very different. We look after your customers, leaving you free to gather new ones, permanently growing your income. pinkconnect.com/franchise

Everything you need to buy a franchise.

Find a franchise...

SEARCH

Browse opportunities, advice & more.

35


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

73 N U M B E R

Fun Fest

Why not change your career, bring joy and harmony to the lives of children, start a profitable business, and have a great time in doing it, by purchasing a Fun Fest franchise

A

t Fun Fest we care for children, empowering and engaging them while giving parents what they require for harmony in their lives. Our range of childcare businesses sits under two brands: 1) Canopy Children’s Nurseries, which nurture and educate babies and young children; 2) Fun Fest for Children, which provides out of school childcare. This gives franchisees flexibility and choice in terms of the type of business, and level

E ST.

2017 NUM B E R O F F RA N C HI S E S

of investment, that they wish to commit to. Canopy Children’s Nurseries aim to give children the best of early experiences. They work in partnership with parents to provide their children with magical enjoyment and an exceptional early years’ education. Delivered by talented practitioners in beautiful, enabling environments, Canopy is a sophisticated brand, appealing to aspirational parents. Since its national launch in 2017,

the network of Fun Fest ‘Holiday Clubs’ has grown rapidly, building an excellent reputation with Ofsted, schools, parents and children. They offer children a choice from a menu of exciting and unique activity sessions every morning and afternoon, allowing them to design their own individual holiday programme. Fun Fest’s ‘Before & After School Clubs’, and ‘Children’s Parties’, have developed as natural extensions of the successful Fun Fest concept. Daljit Kaur says: “I have been a Fun Fest franchisee for just over a year and have built a thriving holiday club which is making a good level of profit, and which I have achieved alongside other work and family commitments. It has been very rewarding as I get such good feedback from my customers and I love the level of flexibility and choice that I have as a franchisee in building my business. This experience has given me the confidence to fulfil my ultimate ambition of having my own nursery, so I am now making progress towards owning a Canopy Children's Nursery too.”

17 SEC TO R

Children I NV ESTM E N T LE VE L

£19,999 + VAT

36

fun-fest.co.uk


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

NU M BER

E

72

N U M BER

Rhythm Time

71

stablished in 1995, Rhythm Time continues to be one of the UK’s favourite children’s activities providers. Passionate about the valuable developmental benefits of music, our fun and multi awardwinning music programmes are carefully created for babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers. Each multi-sensory activity stimulates important physical, social and emotional development as well as concentration, listening, language, numeracy, literacy and motor skills. Our 41 Franchisees provide ageappropriate classes to over 12,500 young children and their parents each week across the UK. We were one of the first in our industry to rise to the challenges of 2020: We invested in innovative new technology and swiftly adapted our classes to enable families to enjoy them safely at home, while keeping all the developmental benefits. Customers will continue to enjoy both physical and online classes, allowing further opportunities for

our Franchisees to build successful and profitable businesses. Our Franchise package is one of the most comprehensive and generous in the industry, providing new Franchisees with everything they need to launch and succeed as quickly as possible. It includes full training, a mentoring programme, unlimited support in marketing and business management, 174 detailed lesson plans and all equipment required. Investment packages vary depending on size of territory and each is designed to offer healthy returns. For anyone who loves to sing, this is a genuinely rewarding local business opportunity with a highly respected brand.

rhythmtimefranchise.co.uk

Betterclean Services B

etterclean Services have been providing quality commercial cleaning services to businesses for the past 26 years. With a large market of potential clients and huge demand for its services, franchisees can tailor their business around their own goals and schedules. Our package offers franchisees a turnkey model, with an excellent support system that helps our business partners feel confident as they take every step of their Betterclean journey. The package also offers one of the lowest management fees in the industry, which means our franchise owners keep more of the profits for themselves but still benefit from our excellent head

office support. Although 2020 was an unpredictable year for everyone, our franchise owners were fully supported and mentored throughout the deadly Coronavirus pandemic. We were delighted to see our network grow during this period with the addition of five new business owners. Coupled with a rise in demand for our services, this is testimony to our solid business model. Already, 2021 looks set to be another great year in the life of Betterclean Services, which takes its place within the Elite Franchise top 100 for the third time.

bettercleanfranchise.co.uk

37


70 N U M B E R

Recognition Express The potential is huge for those who take on a franchise with Recognition Express, which has everything covered from promotional products, corporate clothing, name badges and much, much more

S

ince 1979, Recognition Express has been successfully operating in the evergrowing corporate recognition marketplace. It is the most successful franchise network for the sector in the country, and a past winner of the prestigious bfa Franchisor of the Year Award. The offering is extensive, from business gifts and promotional products, to personalised name badges, medals, plaques and trophies, as well as a full range of corporate clothing and uniforms for schools. The estimated market for these

38

EST.

1979 N U MBE R OF FRAN CH ISE S

44

SECTOR

Business services IN VE STME N T LE VE L

£25,000+ (+VAT)

products is £3bn+. To combat the impact of Covid-19 in 2020, Recognition Express launched an additional income stream: Workplace Welfare Solutions incorporates branded PPE, sanitisers and signage to help customers navigate the ‘new normal’ and ensure that workplaces remain Covid secure. Every business or organisation needs to increase its recognition factor, whether it’s a multinational corporation, a medium-sized charity or a local flower shop – and the demand for branded clothing

has never been higher. Recognition Express franchise owners can serve all of these markets, whether it be delivering 100,000 name badges a year to a major airline, supplying personalised umbrellas for a local event, providing branded corporate clothing to a charity, uniforms to a school or polo shirts to an engineering company. Successful franchise owners will be ambitious, have a desire to build and grow their own business, be customer driven, organised and keen to follow a proven business system. Recognition Express is renowned for its high level of ongoing franchisee support and advice in the areas of marketing, sales, procurement, technology and business planning. Adam Findlay, of Recognition Express in Mid-Surrey, says: “The support has been first class with excellent material and an ever-improving range of centralised marketing programmes.”

thebardongroup.co.uk/recognition-express


NU M B ER

ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

69

GoCruise & Travel

I

f you enjoy working from home, then GoCruise & Travel is the ideal franchise for you. Why not change direction and become a travel agent with GoCruise & Travel, part of the Fred Olsen Travel brand? We will show you how to run your business from the comfort of your own home or whatever premises you choose. Whether you wish to operate fulltime or part-time, you do not need to have any previous experience of the travel industry because we will teach you every aspect of this

exciting business. You will be shown how to establish your market, through to booking your customers’ chosen destinations. GoCruise & Travel, a new entry in the Elite Franchise top 100, is a member of the bfa and has been in business for 17 years. At GoCruise & Travel you will never feel alone and will receive all the support you need to run your successful business. With our dedicated head office team, we will help you to promote your business online and off it. For a modest outlay, GoCruise & Travel will offer you an exciting, fun-filled business opportunity with a potentially high financial return. Why not become part of the GoCruise & Travel family?

joingocruiseandtravel.co.uk

39


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

68

Razzamataz Theatre Schools

Our franchise package provides you with instant access to a highgrowth business in a sector that is witnessing increased demand from both the government and parents alike. Our after-school activities develop the fitness, well-being and social skills of young people across the UK.

66

Husse UK

67

Southern Fried Chicken

Southern Fried Chicken is a flexible quick service restaurant (QSR) British franchise. Our concept is tailored to suit qualified investors and investment groups who are seeking entry into the exciting QSR market, both in the UK and internationally.

Everything you need to buy a property franchise.

Over the past five years we have won multiple global awards for our pet food. It is our continued desire to bring free delivery to our customers, as well as provide nutritional advice for pets.

Browse opportunities, advice & more.

40


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

65 N U M B E R

E ST.

1978 N U MB ER OF FRA NCH IS ES

38

S ECTOR

Business services, printing IN VESTM ENT L EV EL

Kall Kwik

£50,000 +VAT + Shop fit

Rising two places up the top 100 list is Kall Kwik, a fast-moving business whose franchise model has successfully evolved to cater for the ever-changing needs of their customers

K

all Kwik has been successfully trading in the B2B sector for over 40 years and has done so by always being prepared to meet change head on, and remaining customer centric at all times. The Kall Kwik Business Services concept offers a lower entry cost into the marketplace and by outsourcing high end production this ensures lower operating costs – thus increasing net margins. However, Kall Kwik is so much more than print and design. Successful owners have broadened their services to include web design and email marketing, while also providing marketing advice to local businesses. This ranges from creating, printing, distributing and

ultimately following up a direct marketing campaign and sourcing very specialist printing services. To combat the Covid-19 lockdowns of 2020, Kall Kwik produced a range of printed materials for their customers, on subjects such as social distancing and other safety requirements. They also incorporated a click-and-collect service from their outlets. Today, Kall Kwik Business Service Centres are ideally placed to take advantage of the estimated 4.9m SMEs that exist in the UK marketplace, not to mention the thousands of schools, charities and local government organisations. With the development of technology, the cost of entry is very

competitive at around £50,000 (excludes shop fit and VAT). This fee covers the use of brand name, training, marketing launch, equipment and ongoing business support. Nigel Toplis, managing director of the Bardon Group of franchises, says: “Kall Kwik remains the most recognised brand within the industry. We are proud of our history, our ability to react to change, our on-going innovation and the talent within the franchise. In choosing future franchisees, we are looking for people who are motivated by achievement and have the energy and enthusiasm to cope with the changing needs of customers, and the fast pace of the design and print world.”

thebardongroup.co.uk/kall-kwik

41


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

64

Swimtime

SPECIALIST PR SERVICES FOR FRANCHISORS ✓ Increase brand awareness ✓ Get more exposure for your franchise

63

Radfield Home Care R

adfield Home Care is a business built on a very clear sense of purpose. That purpose is the same today as it was more than 35 years ago when this family run business opened in Shropshire. Nowadays, the brother and sister team of Alex Green and Dr Hannah MacKechnie are continuing what their parents started back in 1982 at a residential care home for the elderly in Shrewsbury. The world has changed in many ways since then, with Radfield continuing to evolve, innovate and also becoming a franchise. Under the vision of franchisors Alex and

42

✓ Build trust and credibility with prospects

Reach potential customers and franchisees through powerful storytelling.

S IONY T T ELA TEGTEN NS R A R O N DIA ST CO TI MEEGY NT RELA ATONTE DIA R T C METEGY NT S S E NTTIONY NSSTRA O O I C T S T LA G N RE RATENTEIN ELA O A R I ST CO AT D A I E L D M RE ME A I D ME

NU M BER

Founded in 1998, Swimtime is a large independent swim school teaching thousands of children each week, in hundreds of pools across the UK. Our purpose is to teach the world to swim and to ensure knowledge and skills are retained for life.

Hannah, Radfield Home Care is now a multi-award winning home care business, which operates nationally through a network of business partners. Every day Radfield’s 15 nationwide franchises all provide exceptional care and support to clients and their families – and all in the comfort of their own home too. Look no further than Radfield’s unique Caring for our Carers™ pledge to see how the business makes good on its commitment

STAND OUT, BE SEEN, BE HEARD.

lucy@revpr.co.uk www.revpr.co.uk

to provide the best care possible. Exceptional care starts with exceptional carers, which is why Radfield Home Care recruits best in class for their training and support teams of dedicated care professionals.

radfieldhomecarefranchising.co.uk


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

The official website for the bfa-supported franchise exhibitions

Book Free Tickets

Visit FranchiseInfo.co.uk for the dates of upcoming Franchise Exhibitions!

The source of UK franchising information Search the huge range of premium franchise opportunities Access free legal, financial & professional advice from industry experts The official website for the bfa-supported franchise exhibitions Sign up to the FranMail newsletter for the latest franchise opportunities XX


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

62 N U M B E R

EST.

1990 (US), 2009 (UK) NUM B ER O F F R ANCHI SES

33 SECTO R

B2B, Consulting, Coaching I NV ESTM ENT LEV EL

ÂŁ64,500

44

The Alternative Board The Alternative Board is an innovative franchise organisation driven by individuals who collectively want to change the lives of SME business owners and leaders for the better

L

aunched in the United States in 1990, The Alternative Board (TAB) is a modern phenomenon which arrived in the United Kingdom 19 years later. With its head office in Harrogate, Yorkshire, TAB is already a well-established brand which focuses on helping business owners to take their companies to the next level. We want them to run better businesses, benefit from the wisdom and experience of other business owners, and to have a relationship with their


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

business which allows them to lead fulfilling personal lives. The success of our franchisees is our success too, and the nature of our business model means our franchisees only succeed if they continually deliver outstanding value to our members. What does a TAB franchisee do? Simply put, a TAB franchisee will facilitate monthly Board Meetings made up of between six and eight SME business owners – or put another way ‘our members’. These meetings are challenging, supportive, results-focussed, and also fun. Our franchisees also conduct one-to-one business coaching sessions, to help identify challenges these owners are facing, while pointing out opportunities too. This will help them tackle any issues and steer their businesses in the right direction. Our coaching and mentoring sessions are designed to give our members the time and space they need to gain more clarity and focus on their business. Another key element of TAB is our bespoke online strategic business planning

process, which includes a unique focus on the business owner's personal vision and goals. TAB Franchisee Journey Paul Winterbottom started his TAB business in Manchester in 2014 and currently runs three TAB Boards. He explains: “My month is varied. When I first started my TAB business, a lot of my time was spent on marketing and lead generation activities to recruit my first members. With TAB’s excellent training and robust lead generation process, I simply worked hard and followed their plan. “I had lots of meetings with business owners which were fascinating. I loved hearing about them and their businesses. Some were right for TAB, others weren’t. However, some have now been clients for over five years. As soon as I’d established my three current boards, with 18 members, I began to spend my time differently. “As well as facilitating the four-hour monthly TAB board meetings, I have one-to-one coaching sessions with each of my members every month.

And I work with them on developing and implementing their strategy, including using our range of online business tools. This combination keeps them accountable and moves their business in the right direction, helping them to achieve their business and personal goals.” So why choose TAB? • Regular and predictable monthly subscription income stream, with opportunity for additional consultancy revenue; • Excellent infrastructure and individual support; • Genuine work-life balance, so you don’t have to miss out on the important things; • A scalable business; • Protected territory with exclusive marketing rights; • Low overhead: No employees, no stock, no long-term leases; • Proven equity building business with strong exit strategy. Would you make a great TAB Franchisee? • We have found that our most successful candidates are: • Self-motivated with the drive and resilience to succeed; • Passionate about using their experience and skills to help business owners; • Persuasive communicators; • Keen to play a leading role in helping their local business communities thrive; • Committed to achieving personal and professional growth; • Collaborators who have a desire to contribute and learn from the TAB community.

tabfranchise.co.uk

45


NU M B ER

ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

61

Merry Maids M

N U M BER

erry Maids continue to delight their customers with a top-class domestic cleaning service. Why not sign up to become their latest franchisee and add even more sparkle to UK homes? Join a worldwide recognised brand to help customers keep their homes clean and hygienic through uncertain times. Merry Maids have been cheering up customers for over 40 years, with their professional home cleaning services in the UK. This has been achieved

46

60

through individually owned and operated franchise units, all providing a high standard of competence throughout the land. Following completion of our comprehensive training academy you will confidently sell the Merry Maids services to customers who may need you every day, weekly, fortnightly or even every four weeks, depending on their needs. You’ll enjoy a more flexible lifestyle, using your freshly acquired knowledge and expertise to run a Merry Maids franchise. You will recruit a team of maids and, as part of the Merry Maids network, receive support in all essential business disciplines. With Merry Maids your focus is on building a profitable business, not the day-to-day grind of administration, paperwork or cleaning. That’s why we have systems in place to reduce or eliminate those duties. If you’d like to own your own business, contact a member of our recruitment team today.

merrymaidsfranchise.co.uk

Pink Spaghetti

A

Pink Spaghetti virtual PA franchise is a flexible, award winning, home-based business that has demonstrated continual profitable growth since its inception in 2009. Could you be a Pink Spaghetti virtual PA? The people we need are special. Our franchisees are at the top of their game. They’re hungry for success and enjoy the challenge of starting and growing their own business. As well as achieving financially, ensuring a more flexible work-life balance is also a major driver for career change. Pink Spaghetti franchisees are highly organised, effective communicators, and efficient problem-solvers. They are also excellent at seeking out opportunities and ‘selling’ their services. We provide a comprehensive

and ongoing training programme, plus unlimited support from our head office team and a nationwide network of skilled, experienced and friendly franchisees, each owning their own territory to encourage collaboration rather than competition. If this sounds like you then we’d love to hear from you. We recently gained our WorkBuzz 5 star satisfaction badge for the fifth year running and we pride ourselves on being approachable, so if you have any questions at any time we’d be happy to help, please get in touch.

pink-spaghetti.co.uk


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

CO NT S ST EN TR RE M RA ED T AT LA TIO C TEG IA CO EG NS ON Y REL NTEY TE STR AT NT ST ME NT A IO RA DI C TE NS ME DI C TE A R ON GY

PR TO GROW YOUR FRANCHISE Have you just launched a new business? Perhaps you’ve been a franchisee for months, or even years. No matter how long you’ve been in business, we can help you to grow your franchise through the power of PR. ✓

Kick-start a new business with coverage in your local media

Boost attendance at grand openings, showcase events and product launches

Business owner profile raising to become the trusted local expert

PR builds trust and credibility which, in today’s marketplace, is vital

Local brand awareness generates more customers and increased sales

Acting as your in-house PR team, we will:

• Plan PR themes and topics for your approval

• Create and pitch engaging stories to the media

• Produce quality multi-purpose content

MINIMAL IMPACT ON YOUR TIME, MAXIMUM IMPACT FOR YOUR BUSINESS. LET OUR AWARD-WINNING TEAM BECOME YOURS.

lucy@revpr.co.uk www.revpr.co.uk

ME

At Rev PR, we’re experts at getting you and your business into the media. We also create valuable content to help you keep in touch with your customers, whether you’re a B2B or a B2C brand.

DIA

• Build valuable relationships with your local and regional media contacts.

XX


NU M B ER

ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

59

NU M BER

Turtle Tots

R

eturning to the top 100 for a third straight year is awardwinning swimming company Turtle Tots, which specialises in baby and toddler swimming lessons, as well as offering pregnancy yoga for mums-to-be. The company celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2021, having grown steadily during the past decade, and can now boast to having over 50 franchise partners across Great Britain and Ireland.

58

Poppies Cleaning Service E stablished in 1980, Poppies was the UK’s first domestic cleaning franchise and has grown to become one of the largest. Operating in an industry worth £4.7bn, Poppies franchisees generate a combined turnover of more than £5m. Franchisor, Chris Wootton, has almost three decades of experience running his own Poppies franchise, and is ready – with his team – to help and support

48

new business partners. Generous, high-level income and a great work-life balance make Poppies a management franchise of choice. Franchisees manage a team of dedicated cleaners who visit clients’ homes and provide a range of top-quality services. The brand’s strong heritage, combined with the network’s wealth of knowledge, provides a fantastic opportunity for ambitious

Swimming is a life skill every person needs and the younger we all start, the safer and more confident we are around water. Running a Turtle Tots business is rewarding in many ways. You have the opportunity to operate a five-star business, which offers the potential of excellent financial returns, while also making a real difference to people’s lives. You don’t need to have previously run a business, or managed a swim school, to make Turtle Tots a success. Our award-winning brand has developed a range of systems and processes designed to keep you and your business growing. If you fit our brand values and we fit your goals, you will soon be enjoying the flexibility of running a successful business to suit your lifestyle, while tapping into the company’s expert guidance and support. And there are plenty of brand new territories available in many areas of Great Britain and Ireland. turtletots.com

professionals who are driven to achieve personal satisfaction and financial success. Comprehensive training equips new franchisees with the skills and confidence to build a successful management cleaning business. Ongoing support includes workshops, seminars, business mentoring and specialist helplines. What’s more, the collaborative culture of the network means solutions and inspiration is only ever a phone call away. Poppies’ cleaners are employed directly. The franchise proudly champions the wellbeing of its cleaners and believes in treating staff with respect and care, creating a fun, enjoyable working environment. Happy, loyal staff members make the Poppies brand shine.

poppies.co.uk/franchising


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

57

Debutots

Everything you need to buy a pizza delivery franchise.

Debutots won the Best Franchise Support category at the recent Approved Franchise Association (AFA) awards. With an unrivalled support package, franchisees use original stories and drama techniques to develop children’s social, language and communication skills. Debutots is making its first appearance in Elite Franchise’s top 100 list.

Browse opportunities, advice & more.

SPECIALIST PR SERVICES FOR FRANCHISORS

56

Concept Building Solutions

✓ Increase brand awareness ✓ Get more exposure for your franchise ✓ Build trust and credibility with prospects

S IONY T T ELA TEGTEN NS R A R O N DIA ST CO TI MEEGY NT RELA ATONTE DIA R T C METEGY NT S S S TRAONTEION N O S C LAT EGY NT I AT RE RAT NTEIONS A I ST COLAT D ME RE A I D ME

Reach potential customers and franchisees through powerful storytelling.

STAND OUT, BE SEEN, BE HEARD.

Concept provides a unique service which is designed to help homeowners manage their insurance claims when they suffer building damage to their properties. We deal with everything for free, including the required reinstatement work, ensuring the policyholder receives their full entitlement.

lucy@revpr.co.uk www.revpr.co.uk

49


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

NU M B ER

55 We Love Pets

W

e Love Pets is one of the UK’s leading pet care franchise companies. We believe animal safety and welfare must come first, and ensure that all of our staff members are first aid trained, police checked and fully insured. We also insist that our boarders are licensed. We have implemented a strict ‘No Pack Walk’ policy, as the safety of the pet and its handler is paramount. Established in 2007, We Love Pets is owned by husband and wife team, Ryan and Jo White. The company were awarded the ‘Emerging Franchisor of the Year’ prize in 2018 by the British Franchise Association. Currently, We Love Pets is the only pet care franchise

to deliver City & Guilds accredited courses with their training curriculum. During this challenging year, We Love Pets have signed up 16 new franchises, started an affiliate pet food scheme, launched a dog grooming service, and set up a foundation in our name. This foundation is a charitable organisation dedicated to preparing and providing free, accessible educational materials on pet care, animal welfare and safety. We Love Pets boasts a unique support system made up of our friendly franchisees and staff, who are always willing to extend a helping hand. Our aim is to improve overall animal welfare standards across the UK.

welovepets.care

50


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

54 N U M B E R

E ST.

1994 N U MB ER OF FRA NCH IS ES

91 SECTOR

Cleaning

Ovenu

Retaining its top-60 ranking within the Elite Franchise list is Berkshire-based Ovenu who continue to create thousands of satisfied customers all around the UK

O

venu was established more than 25 years ago by Rik Hellewell. Under his guidance the company has grown, developed and prospered, and has become a cherished franchise for those looking to become involved in the oven cleaning and valeting sector. An Ovenu franchise is a perfect fit for hard-working people who appreciate the benefits of a tried, tested and trusted brand. Ovenu has a clear understanding

of the two key components that make up its successful franchise package. These are the importance of cleaning ovens to a meticulously high standard, as well as running a profitable business. Ovenu provides an unrivalled support package, which offers practical guidance to franchisees during every stage of their business development. With its headquarters in the Berkshire town of Wokingham, Ovenu is a family-run business which employs

IN VESTM ENT L EV EL

£9,950 +VAT

external specialists to help the company’s franchisees remain ahead of the game. The company understands that quality has to be the main priority throughout the entire business. To help ensure their success, each franchisee is provided with a startup package that includes the finest equipment, tools, workwear and unique Ovenu brand products. Ovenu’s online and offline marketing strategy comprises a range of eye-catching and highvisibility adverts. The initial and ongoing fee structure is realistic and simple to understand. The latest version of the bespoke end-to-end client management system is generating even more significant extra profits for all of Ovenu’s franchisees. During the past 25 years and more, Ovenu has helped out thousands of satisfied customers, while building a network of over 100 top-rated local franchisees. The company has an army of oven cleaners all around the UK who are all using ecofriendly cleaning products. Why not join this ever-expanding brand and become one of its newest franchisees in 2021.

ovenu.co.uk/franchise

51


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

NU M B ER

53 Sandler

S

andler is the world's largest sales training and consulting organisation. For more than 50 years it has taught its distinctive, non-traditional selling system and highly effective sales training methodology, which has helped thousands of sales people and sales managers to take charge of the process. Unlike other training providers, that offer a quick fix or a brief two-day course, Sandler is all about reinforcement to deliver long-term behavioural change. Its methods involve understanding and implementing a complex set of human attitudes, behaviours and selling techniques. The structure

Training

52

Esquires Coffee

is rooted in psychology, and understanding how tried and tested techniques can be applied to an individual, and then reinforced. As a Sandler Training Franchise, our offices will train and consult with a wide range of businesses from blue-chip companies like IBM, LinkedIn and Salesforce, down to local SMEs. Our innovative and ever-expanding offering allows our franchisees to work in the way they want and with the companies they want to support. Sandler recently celebrated their 15th year in the UK and continue to invest heavily in the support and training of their franchisees. In 2021, they have earned their highest-ever ranking within the Elite Franchise Top 100.

uk.sandler.com/franchising/

Everything you need to buy a coffee franchise.

Whether it is its specialty Fairtrade and Organic coffee, the wholesome food, or the quirky and unique interior design, Esquires Coffee is at the forefront of the coffee market and its brand continues to grow its family of cafes and customers around the world.

Browse opportunities, advice & more.

52


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

Mad Science

Mad Science franchisees share a vision to inspire children with STEM-based (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) programmes on a scale that truly makes a difference. Established in 1985, Mad Science supports over 100 franchises globally. We are an experienced and reliable franchisor.

LOCAL PR TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS

We work with you to find the stories that your local media want.

CO NT S ST E T M RA EDNT RAT LA TIO C TEG IA CO EG NS ON Y REL NTEY T S ST MEENTTRAATIONT RA DI C TE NS ME DIA C TEG A R ON GY R ONT Y ELA TEN E TIO T STELAT RA IONT ME NS T N DIA C EG S O RE NT Y LA EN TIO T

51

✓ Reach more potential customers

✓ Become the trusted, local expert and go-to solution provider ✓ Local brand awareness generates more customers and increased sales

Let our award-winning team become yours.

N U M B ER

ME

DIA

RE

lucy@revpr.co.uk www.revpr.co.uk

50

Really Awesome Coffee

Established in 2010, Really Awesome Coffee is the UK’s leading mobile café franchise. Our network of unique mobile cafés has seen a surge in demand this year as Covid-19 has opened up new and exciting opportunities. Really Awesome Coffee has a network of over 60 mobile cafés around the UK. It is a business built around a daily coffee round, which we help you to establish. Your mobile café will visit local businesses and schools at agreed times every day, offering everything you

would expect in a similar top quality high street outlet. There is usually a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere at the van, as people take a short break from their daily chores. There is also an opportunity to make significant additional income at evening and weekend events – if you desire. If you think you might enjoy running your own mobile coffee business, we’d love to invite you to join us on one of our Virtual Discovery Days. And when we meet up you will discover how we use technology to stay ahead of the curve. For the fourth year in a row, Really Awesome Coffee has earned its place in the Elite Franchise top 100.

reallyawesomecoffee.co.uk

53


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

49 N U M B E R

FASTSIGNS

A new entry in the Elite Franchise top 100 is FASTSIGNS, a global business which is attracting more and more new customers thanks to advances in cost-effective signage solutions

W

ith over 700 FASTSIGNS® centres operating in 10 countries, our business-to-business management opportunity is at the forefront of signage and printing technology. We currently have 24 centres in the UK. With no sector experience required you could soon be managing your own signage business. Our signage solutions provide businesses with high-quality, high-impact visual resources, including digital signage, banners, building signs, vehicle graphics, windows, walls, doors and floors graphics and so much more. By investing in your own

54

FASTSIGNS franchise, you’ll be joining a business with a proven franchise model and over 35 years of industry experience. FASTSIGNS offers more than just a sign-creation service. You will be involved in providing practical solutions and become a trusted consultant to your customers, who are looking to develop their signage and graphics when promoting their business, event or product. Launched in Dallas, Texas in 1985, we reached the UK in 1995 since when the signage industry has grown dramatically. This opportunity combines a proven business model with the technological advancement for cost-effective signage solutions, helping businesses to showcase their brand with the use of our expertise. Our ideal franchisees do not require any previous industry experience and can come from virtually any background. Having some experience of managing people and understanding what makes a successful team would be a bonus. But all we require is your motivation, along with the right work ethic and an enthusiasm to develop a profitable business. FASTSIGNS will support you as you enter into this diverse industry, through our comprehensive training programme, which has been developed to provide you with the EST. skills, knowledge and resources 1995 to launch and run a successful FASTSIGNS franchise. With N U MBE R OF FRAN CH ISE S additional ongoing support from our support team, you can build 24 a business designed with your SECTOR success in mind. Signage

IN VE STME N T LE VE L

£120,000 £150,000

fsfastsigns.co.uk


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

Reach your goals Find out how HSBC can help bring your franchise vision to life. Visit: www.business.hsbc.uk/franchising Or contact our Franchise team: Tel: 0121 455 3438* Email: franchiseunit@hsbc.com *Phone line is monitored 9am to 5pm, Mon to Fri (ex. Bank Holidays)

Together we thrive HSBC UK Bank plc. Registered in England & Wales with number 09928412. Registered Office: 1 Centenary Square, Birmingham, B1 1HQ, United Kingdom. Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Our Financial Services Register number is 765112. AC52440

XX


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

48 N U M B E R

Maid2Clean Join the thriving, expanding cleaning sector by becoming a business partner with Maid2Clean®, one of the UK’s leading management franchise companies

T

he Maid2Clean® business has been established for many years and has been thoroughly tested and refined into our franchise offer of today. Maid2Clean® is definitely not a ‘cleaners’ business, it is a ‘management franchise’ which means you do not do any of the cleaning or ironing yourself. You will be trained to manage the cleaners in your business. You will find that you will generate significantly higher percentage profits to turnover with Maid2Clean® than with most other cleaning industry companies we can identify. Operating to our system, once trained, you will have the potential to earn a significant profit per year, over the life of your Maid2Clean® franchise business. Covid-19 has meant that 2020 has been a tough year for all businesses and many will not survive the current crisis caused

56

EST.

2003 NUM BER OF F R ANCHISE S

160+ SECTOR

Domestic Cleaning I NV ESTME N T LEV EL

£9,999.00 (+ VAT)


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

by this pandemic. However, despite the madness around us, Maid2Clean® franchisees have continued to survive and trade strongly. Buying a franchise is one of the most important decisions you will make and Maid2Clean® is not a new franchise, it is an established growing, management franchise for the right people. We currently have over 160 franchisees and they would not have purchased our franchise had they not thought it was the top franchise in its field. Residual income and business support are two of the primary reasons why our franchisees have chosen Maid2Clean®. We are in this, with our franchisees, for the long term – mutuality in our relationship is critical. Maid2Clean® also has very low operating costs but a high-profit margin from a low investment and will work for you if you are interested in solving the ever growing demand for domestic cleaners in the UK. You can build your business while you still work in your current job, just like 55% of our other franchisees have done – and no previous industry experience is required. Selling Out Fast More than 75% of our territories have been sold in the UK, so we are turning down many people that inquire about a franchise in a specific area. Our selection criteria are not based on your academic qualification, as we look at an applicant's attitude and their determination to succeed. Managing director Mike Hanrahan says: “Our franchisees have taken it upon themselves, each quarter, to host a business improvement day in different places in the UK specifically designed to share best practice ideas with other franchisees, such is the strength and enthusiasm for the business within the franchise. I don't know of another franchise where this type of pro-activity takes place on such a wide scale." Information available from the British Franchise Association shows that the

Mike Hanrahan, Managing director, Maid2Clean

average cost of becoming a franchisee is normally around £53,000, but if you have done your due diligence you will know that many franchises can cost far more. At Maid2Clean® we have recognised that many capable people cannot afford costs as high as this, so our franchise package offers a very low investment. Discipline and following a proven system matters more than raw talent and in our franchise you will find that a healthy work ethic will always out perform all other business skills and traits. Remember, you are not doing any of the cleaning yourself. You are managing the workers, clients, suppliers and customers just like any other business. The demand for this service continues to out-strip supply and this trend is forecast to continue indefinitely. If you are looking for your first, or your next, business investment then contact us today.

maid2clean.co.uk

57


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

E ST.

1992 NUM B E R O F F R A N C HI S E S

80 SEC TO R

Education & Training I NV E STM E N T L E VE L

£40,000+

47 N U M B E R

Pitman Training

One of the oldest and still one of the most successful businesses is Pitman Training, which continues to issue new franchise contracts every year in an ever-expanding education sector

P

itman Training is an award winning, widely recognised brand with a clear objective: To deliver outstanding quality training, to empower learners and transform lives. Knowledge and skills enable confidence and opportunities, and Pitman Training wants to partner with entrepreneurs who are driven by the desire to change people’s lives through education. Pitman Training has led the way for growth in development and efficiency within the workplace since 1837 – when Sir Isaac Pitman invented ‘shorthand’. Since then

58

the business has developed to incorporate modern technologies and advances. Keeping true to the heritage of the brand, the key focus is to arm students with the skills they need to get the jobs that they want. Thanks to a combination of Pitman’s learning management system, and support from its in-centre Learning Coaches, the company provides training that helps learners gain the skills that are valued by employers. The self-paced flexible model allows people to study from home or in one of Pitman Training’s relaxed and friendly centres.

There’s never been a better time to take advantage of the opportunity to join a high growth industry while making a difference in your local community. Education, specifically vocational learning, is now really under the spotlight. Although 2020 was a difficult trading year for many, Pitman Training opened eight new franchise locations throughout the UK and Ireland, with many more new training centres starting in 2021. This expansion is a combination of new franchise partners and members of the existing network, with multi-centre ownership proving popular with many. The Pitman Training model enables franchisees to generate revenue from day one and quickly move into profit. Thanks to a high gross margin, franchisees can achieve a substantial return on investment. Franchisees benefit from comprehensive training, ongoing support, regular network collaboration, national marketing campaigns and digital lead generation, plus access to over 250 unique learning products. Do you have the passion to help transform people’s careers and change lives? pitman-franchising.com


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

46 N U M B E R

EST.

2001 N U MBER OF FRAN CHIS ES

14 SECTOR

Retail IN VE STM ENT LE VE L

£29,950+

ABLEWORLD For those budding business owners who are seeking an ethical, community-driven, franchise to display their talents, then Ableworld may just be the one for you

L

ike all great businesses, Ableworld was founded to provide solutions for a widespread problem. In 1998, experienced retailer Mike Williams was shocked by his own experience of shopping for, and buying, mobility products for his father. They were low quality products being sold at hugely inflated prices to vulnerable people. Mike saw an opportunity to build a different kind of business that would provide a professional, dignified, ethical and trustworthy service for those requiring mobility products. Today, built on that unshaking ethos and with Mike still at the helm, Ableworld is the largest mobility retailer in the country with 36 stores. It is an industry valued at

around £1.5bn annually. Ableworld work with a wide range of mobility suppliers and manufacturers to ensure all of their products are of the best standard. All staff members are fully trained to spend time with customers and their families to really understand their circumstances and to properly assess which products best address the needs of that individual. Ableworld won the Handicare Prestige Partner award in 2019, as well as being voted Number One Mobility Retailer in the UK – by mobility suppliers and industry professionals – and endorsed by Which Trusted Traders. Ableworld has grown to become the undisputed market leader, and franchising has played a big part

in that achievement. Franchisees all share a common desire to create an ethical local business that really benefits their community. The proven Ableworld franchise system, incredible brand power and peerless reputation, allows franchisees to create profitable, long term retail businesses that offer both financial security and a huge sense of pride and achievement. Few franchise investments will come with such a built in feel-good factor! Franchisees come from a wide variety of backgrounds such as sales, retail, construction, armed forces, teaching and health care. Previous experience of the mobility industry is not required as franchisees, and their employees, undertake a comprehensive training programme and enjoy ongoing support.

ableworld.co.uk

59


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

45

First Class Learning

Everything you need to buy a property franchise.

First Class Learning is the UK’s fastest growing after-school tuition franchise with more than 300 centres nationwide. We specialise in maths and English for 4 to 16-year-olds. As a franchisee, you will help ensure no child gets left behind.

DO YOUR PROSPECTS TRUST YOU? Use PR to build trust and credibility:

Educate and entertain to build strong relationships

Demonstrate market demand through franchisee success stories

Reach your target audiences in their own preferred media.

How do you engage without the hard sell? Build trust without over pursuing? Inspire without boasting?

We help franchisors to look internally to find the stories that will make an impact and reach potential franchisees.

We know what works and, crucially, what doesn’t. Now, more than ever, prospects know when they are being sold to, and they don’t always like it. Your PR and your content must add value, entertain and inform. That’s where we come in.

AT REV PR, WE USE REAL STORIES, ABOUT REAL PEOPLE IN REAL BUSINESSES. WE ENSURE YOUR PROSPECTS FIND POSITIVE, ENGAGING PR AT EVERY STAGE OF THEIR JOURNEY, FROM INITIAL ENQUIRY TO DUE DILIGENCE.

60

lucy@revpr.co.uk www.revpr.co.uk

DIA

Add value with thought leadership and expert advice

ME

CO NT S ST E T RE RA MEDNT RAT LA TIO C TEG IA CO EG NS ON Y REL NTEY T S ST MEENTTRAATIONT R ME T N D DIA CATEGIA RCONEGY S REONT Y ELA TEN TIO T ST LAT ENT RA IO ME NS TE NS DIA GY R

Browse opportunities, advice & more.


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

E ST.

2003 N U MB ER OF FRAN CH IS ES

24 SECTOR

Home Improvement IN VE STM ENT LE V EL

£100,000 £145,000

44 N U M B E R

Granite & TREND Transformations Making their way into the top 100 for the first time, Granite & TREND Transformations continue to outstrip the competition by creating luxurious installations for home and commercial properties

J

oining Granite & TREND Transformations is an unmissable opportunity to be part of a full-service home improvement franchise, which helps customers achieve their dreams. By using cutting-edge technology and manufacturing techniques to deliver high-quality products that look and feel luxurious, Granite & TREND Transformations gives customers exactly what they want and when they want it.

With exclusive access to celebrated products, franchisees will always be one step ahead of the competition. They will also reap the benefits of the franchise’s unrivalled marketing strategies. Thanks to comprehensive training and an ongoing programme of support and development, it means that franchisees can open their own showrooms and tap straight into a lucrative and growing market. With new products being

added all the time, and a recent partnership with Microban®™, franchisees can be sure that the value of the brand will continue to grow. With more than 20 years of experience, the franchise’s proven business model offers a sustainable and recession-resilient pathway to success. It is a fantastic opportunity for those seeking to take control of their careers and be part of something greater, and build a business they can be proud of. The brand is continuing to expand rapidly. With more than 25 current franchises located around the UK, and with a focus on creating at least another 10 during 2021, there has never been a better time to join this highly successful and profitable franchise. Performing thousands of kitchen and bathroom installations each month, the company recently passed the ‘one million renovations mark’. With a range that includes distinctive quartz, granite and post-consumer re-cycled glass surfaces, Granite & TREND prides itself on striving to create products that consistently differentiates and elevates itself from the competition.

granitetransformations.co.uk

61


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

43 N U M B E R

Optic-Kleer This year's No 43 is Lincolnshire-based franchise Optic-Kleer who hit the highways every day to serve the motorists of the UK, repairing thousands of windscreens each year

O

ptic-Kleer has been repairing windscreens since 1991. Our high standards of customer care, including our lifetime warranty on all repairs, have helped Optic-Kleer become the UK’s largest independent windscreen repair company. The excellent service that our franchisees provide is verified by thousands of five-star Google review ratings. We are proud to be an accredited member of the AFA and we also sit on the Windscreen Repair advisory panel for British Standards in the UK. Every year one in five vehicles gets a chipped windscreen. With over 38 million vehicles on UK roads, the potential market for windscreen repairs is huge. You will find us delivering our services in the car parks of Tesco and Morrisons, and from 2021 Sainsbury’s too. Initial training takes place at our head office in Lincolnshire, where franchisees receive training on repairing windscreens, as well as setting up and running their businesses.

62

E ST.

1991 N U MB ER OF FRANCH IS ES

46 SECTOR

Automotive IN VE STM ENT LEV EL

£15,000 + VAT

There is mentoring with one of our experienced technicians who will help with repairing real customers’ cars. We provide halfboard accommodation, to save on cost, and you leave with a fully functional business. After launching a franchise, the Optic-Kleer team continues to provide business support, including assistance with marketing, sales and advertising. We are a strong branded company committed to seeing our franchisees grow and become successful. We manage all social media posting, maintain website presence and book locations with key retailers. There’s no need for cold-calling, door knocking or leaflet drops. Within days, a franchisee’s website will appear on the first page of Google, with key words, and without the aid of Google Adwords. Currently, 12.2% of customers who interact with our website go on to have a windscreen repair, which is an amazing conversion rate. No prior experience of windscreen repairs is required. All that’s needed is a positive attitude and approach, be friendly and have the ability to talk to people.

franchise.optic-kleer.co.uk


42

focus is to provide high-quality care and support, so that our clients can remain living independently at home. The brand delivers a range of care services, each tailored to the individual’s unique requirements. Upon signing the franchise agreement, franchisees take part in a comprehensive training programme which covers finance, marketing and IT. They also create business plans and are supported by our team at HQ. Heritage Healthcare’s support team provides a high level of professionalism and a proven commitment to excellence. Director Michelle Fenwick is currently the only Qualified Franchise Professional in care in the UK, providing franchisees with the highest level of expertise and support. If you would like further information about the Heritage Healthcare franchise, please contact Michelle Fenwick on 01325 370707 or email michelle@heritagehealthcare.co.uk.

Heritage Healthcare M

aking a fourth appearance in the Elite Franchise top 100 list, in as many years, is Heritage Healthcare. With headquarters in Darlington, Heritage Healthcare is a leading family run homecare business with more than 80 years of experience. Heritage Healthcare has a fantastic reputation for providing outstanding levels of care. We create a bespoke care plan to meet the individual needs of each client. Our

heritagehealthcarefranchising.co.uk

Buy an existing franchise

SPECIALIST PR SERVICES FOR FRANCHISORS ✓ Increase brand awareness ✓ Get more exposure for your franchise

Search 100s of franchise resales now

✓ Build trust and credibility with prospects

Visit bfsale.co.uk/eliteresales Reach potential customers and franchisees through powerful storytelling.

S IONY T T ELA TEGTEN NS R A R O N DIA ST CO TI MEEGY NT RELA ATONTE DIA R T C METEGY NT S S S TRAONTEION N O S C LAT EGY NT I AT RE RAT NTEIONS A I ST COLAT D ME RE A I D ME

NU M B ER

ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

STAND OUT, BE SEEN, BE HEARD. Foo d

lucy@revpr.co.uk www.revpr.co.uk

fra

nch

n’s dre Chil chises n a r f

ise

s

ises

anch Pet fr

Fast Fran Food chise s

Coffe e fran

chise

s

Pizza s hise franc

Fitn rty ess Prope f hise ranchi Franc ses

63


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

Chopstix Noodle Bar

Chopstix Noodle Bar is the UK’s largest national Pan-Asian QSR brand with over 60 sites. We are a big business focusing on a local level focusing on our key values of being Faster, Fresher, Tastier.

LOCAL PR TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS

We work with you to find the stories that your local media want.

CO NT S ST EN TR RE M R LA AT EDI T CATE TIO C E A NTGY NS ONGY REO E L S T ST MEENTTRAATIONT R ME T N D DIA CATEGIA RCONEGY S O R NT Y ELA TEN E TIO T STELAT RA IONT ME NS DIA C TEG NS REONT Y LA EN TIO T N

41

✓ Reach more potential customers

✓ Become the trusted, local expert and go-to solution provider ✓ Local brand awareness generates more customers and increased sales

Let our award-winning team become yours.

N U M B ER

ME

DIA

lucy@revpr.co.uk www.revpr.co.uk

40

easyStorage

e

asyStorage is part of the easy family of brands, with the most famous being easyJet, founded by Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou. Like all easy brands, easyStorage focuses on being a fair-priced service, combined with excellent customer relations. Thanks to simple, transparent pricing, customers pay for what they need with additional

64

services being available if required. easyStorage was a natural addition to the easy family, with storage prices in the UK twice what they need to be. easyStorage’s unique no frills model enables customers to benefit from lower prices while enjoying the convenience of having their items loaded directly into their storage unit at their home – rather than having to worry about transporting

possessions to storage facilities. Founding directors, Tim Slesinger and Nigel Dawson, have a wealth of experience in storage and franchising. The company was formed in 2017, with the pilot franchise launched in early 2018. Since then, the brand has gone from strength to strength and has won numerous awards, while opening a further 16 franchise territories. The attraction to budding franchisees is the relatively low entry cost, as well as the recurring revenue model. Franchisees do not need their own warehouse, as these are supplied by easyStorage and the model is simple to operate.

easystorage.com/franchise


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

39 N U M B E R

Healthcare Practice Sneaking into the top 40 is the Healthcare Practice which has almost 90 ‘Partners’ working across the UK, providing expert guidance to customers seeking the best healthcare insurance E ST.

2006 NU M B E R O F F R A N C HI S E S

87 S EC TO R

Financial Services I NVE STM E N T L E VE L

£9,200

T

he Healthcare Practice is a wholly owned subsidiary of WPA, one of the UK’s leading not-for-profit health insurers. Our mission is to help our customers access the best healthcare and our Partner franchisees are our local representatives throughout the UK. These partners meet new and existing customers to advise, promote and tailor WPA policies to their exact needs. This provides a unique advantage over other

The WPA Healthcare Practice Head Office in Taunton, Somerset

Father and Daughter team, Terry and Gemma Upham

health insurers who rarely encounter their customers face to face. We hold ourselves to the highest professional standards. We are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and are members of the British Franchise Association. Our reputation is everything to us, so we are selective in who becomes a Healthcare Partner. Potential Partners must have honesty, integrity and professionalism in abundance. They must be willing to work hard to build a relationship with their customers, which can last a lifetime. In return for a £9,200 investment, when purchasing a franchise, we offer a unique programme aimed at giving our Partners the best possible start. We work with potential partners to build a detailed business plan which is their roadmap to building a successful and robust business. This two-year launch package underlines our commitment to supporting new Partners and helping them to succeed. This includes access to sophisticated CRM systems, a £15,000 Guaranteed Fee Scheme, enhanced remuneration, a £3,000 marketing budget, dedicated mentor and access to a Corporate Social Responsibility scheme, so you can reinvest back into the local community. Our aim is to help our Partners build a solid foundation during their first two years from which they can then grow their business and achieve their ambitions. We are looking for aspiring individuals who are willing to work hard, such as those who share our ethos of putting people before profits, and are committed to excellence.

healthcarepractice.co.uk

65


NU M B ER

ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

38

Barking Mad Dog Care E

stablished in 2000, as the original alternative to kennels, Barking Mad Dog Care has grown into the UK and Ireland’s most trusted dog sitting service, as independently verified by TrustPilot. The multi-award-winning brand attributes its success to first class customer service, systems, support, processes and innovation. Barking Mad’s large and supportive network of franchise owners coordinate canine holidays, and recruit a community of carefully selected dog-loving host families. These are the men and women who care for pets while

66

their owners are away. Spending every rewarding working day with adorable canines, and fellow dog lovers, is a dream come true for franchisees. They reap the benefits of a successful and flexible career, with loyal repeat business in a growth industry. This was demonstrated by John and Elaine Warburton’s success in the Lifestyle category of the HSBC-sponsored bfa Franchisee of the Year Awards. Barking Mad’s

support team are specialists in all areas from dog behaviour to accounts and licensing, and they guide franchisees along every step of their business journey. For the fourth year in a row Barking Mad has earned a top-40 ranking in the Elite Franchise big 100.

barkingmad.uk.com


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

W EST.

1988 NUM BE R OF F R ANCH ISE S

37 N U M B E R

42 SECTOR

Retail/Food I NV ESTME N T LEVE L

£140,000 £200,000

hen Anne Beiler baked her first pretzels in a Pennsylvania farmer’s market in 1988, she wanted to create a great product and provide people with an amazing experience. After some experimentation, ‘Auntie’ Anne created a masterpiece. Customers kept coming back and asking for “the best pretzel they had ever tasted.” People wanted more. They asked for the secret recipe so they could have soft, delicious pretzels wherever they were. As a response, Anne looked for new ways to expand and bring the taste of Auntie Anne’s to the world. Word spread and new locations were opened as franchises to meet demand. Today, Auntie Anne’s is a recognised name with over 2,500 stores in more than 25 countries around the world. Auntie Anne’s products are not mass-produced. Each item is carefully crafted by hand at store. Their unique selling proposition (USP) is the feeling people have when they come up to the counter, and smell the freshly baked pretzels, followed by the tasty warm, soft bite. The feeling they can slow down from all they have to do and lose themselves in the moment. While famous for their classic pretzels, Auntie Anne’s in the UK is ever adapting to consumer demands. New products are being created to meet food trends, for example their pretzel pizzas and pretzel breakfast bun ranges. When you join the franchise in the UK or Ireland, you will be working with an experienced team that have been working with the brand for over 12 years and opened numerous stores successfully. The process is completely project managed from Day One. From sourcing the perfect location with our experienced and respected commercial property agents, to recruiting and training your first team of employees, to designing and building the store. Our team use their expertise every step of the way to make the process as seamless as possible.

AUNTIE ANNE’S

Auntie Anne’s has always been about creating a feelgood factor for both their customers and franchisees, and this global, established business is on the lookout for new franchise partners in the UK

auntieannes.co.uk

67


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

36

E ST.

N U M B E R

1998 N U MB ER OF FRANCH IS ES

26 SECTOR

Property/ Legal Services IN VE STM ENT LEV EL

£29,750

X-PRESS LEGAL SERVICES Retaining its position within the top 40 of Elite Franchise’s annual list is X-Press Legal Services which has positively thrived during this Covidravaged year

X

-Press Legal Services is a long-standing franchise success story with over 50% of their franchisees still with them from day one. Its awardwinning business model has proved highly effective and has led to X-Press Legal becoming one of the UK’s top 10 search providers. X-Press Legal Services provides the property searches and reports that are at the heart of all property transactions, whether it is a purchase, sale, repossession or re-mortgage. The company offers franchise opportunities for people who are seeking more flexibility and independence in their career.

68

The business can be run from home, with minimal overheads and with no previous industry experience needed to become a franchisee. With the arrival of Covid-19, 2020 has been a challenging year for many. However, X-Press Legal has risen to the challenge. The company has developed even more products and services, as well as new ways of working, while also introducing new PR and marketing strategies to support their franchise owners. The number of searches undertaken by conveyancing firms rose dramatically and X-Press Legal saw some of their best trading

months ever. Cyber security is also important for the legal sector and X-Press Legal is believed to be the first property search company to be awarded Cyber Essentials Plus accreditation. The company is led by Lynne and Dave Lister, along with their children Christian, Russell and Hannah who also manage their own territories. It’s important to the Lister family that new franchise owners are part of a hugely supportive network. They receive full induction training, with ongoing activity including networking events, mentoring and workshops. X-Press Legal Services is trusted by over 500 legal practices in England and Wales, producing more than 400,000 conveyancing searches and reports each year. The company currently has 26 independently run businesses with a small number of franchise territories still available.

xpresslegal.co.uk/become-a-franchise-owner


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

Share your vision Find out how HSBC can support your end-to-end franchising needs. Visit: www.business.hsbc.uk/franchising Or contact our Franchise team: Tel: 0121 455 3438* Email: franchiseunit@hsbc.com *Phone line is monitored 9am to 5pm, Mon to Fri (ex. Bank Holidays)

Together we thrive HSBC UK Bank plc. Registered in England & Wales with number 09928412. Registered Office: 1 Centenary Square, Birmingham, B1 1HQ, United Kingdom. Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Our Financial Services Register number is 765112. AC52440

XX


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

35 N U M B E R

Countrywide Grounds Maintenance Moving 13 spots up the Elite Franchise top 100 list is Countrywide Grounds Maintenance who have earned lucrative contracts with some of the UK’s bestknown brands

70

C

ountrywide Grounds Maintenance is an awardwinning brand with over 30 years of franchising heritage. Like many franchised brands, Countrywide didn’t begin life as a franchise, but originally grew as a successful independent outfit. With the Countrywide business model proving both secure and fruitful, the first local franchise owner was recruited in 1986. Since then, the network has gone from strength to strength. Fast forward to the present day, and Countrywide Grounds is a truly national company with 46

EST.

1984 N U MB ER OF FRAN C H IS ES

46 SECTOR

Grounds Maintenance/ Landscaping IN VE STM ENT LE V EL

£44,950

franchisees across the UK. The Countrywide Grounds network has grown its cumulative turnover to £30m and it shows no signs of slowing down. The essential grounds’ maintenance sector is more popular than ever, and among Countrywide’s regular clients are businesses, schools, hospitals and more. The idea of starting a grounds maintenance business might not be the most appealing to someone outside the industry. But when you begin to understand the consistency of work, earning potential and an unwavering


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

demand for its services, then being a Countrywide franchisee will tick a lot of boxes. For this reason, Countrywide Grounds franchises are completely sold out. But don’t despair because you can still join the network by purchasing one of the company’s franchise resale opportunities. When choosing someone to carry out grounds’ maintenance services, customers look for a company that is reliable and efficient. For over 30 years, Countrywide Grounds Maintenance franchisees have been providing a top-class service for its clients. Countrywide

Grounds has built a reputation for high quality work within the industry, providing solutions that include: grass cutting, weed killing, tree works, landscaping, hedge cutting, gritting, artificial grass and many other services. Due to the consistency of our service, we have acquired exclusive national contracts with some of the UK’s most recognisable brands. These include CBRE, Wickes, Travis Perkins and others. Countrywide Grounds Maintenance franchisees also benefit from the backing of Neighbourly, the world’s largest home services franchise business. Established in 1981, Neighbourly now serves over 10 million customers in nine countries and it’s easy to see why Neighbourly has become an attractive proposition for entrepreneurs and franchise seekers across the globe. George Beaty, a Countrywide Grounds franchisee from Dorset, says: “It’s a professional business, with a brand Image, head office team and successful franchisees. I have had to think on my feet as the business has rapidly expanded. But the hard work has paid off and we have many secure contracts and

happy customers. I love waking up each day and being in control of my own destiny. I’ve learned the importance of enjoying work and also enjoying home time with my family. I want to enjoy a greater quality of life and set up a management team so we can expand the business, and save up for our second house.” Adrian Sargent, a Countrywide Grounds franchisee from Wiltshire, says: “I chose Countrywide as the grass will always need cutting and there were many businesses outsourcing this type of work to specialists. I also liked that this was sold as a management franchise, rather than one where you had to work on the vans. The franchise model is perfect for a new business venture, as you get a proven business model, as well as strong central support. Head office provides great support, allowing me to focus on my day-to-day work and building profits.”

countrywidegrounds.com

71


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

34 N U M B E R

EST.

1993 N U MBE R OF FRAN CH ISE S

85 SECTOR

Commercial Cleaning IN VE STME N T LE VE L

£9,950+

Dublcheck

2020 has been a difficult year for everyone, so it is fantastic to hear stories from robust and resilient franchisees such as Simon Labone, authorised Dublcheck Franchise

S

imon has always enjoyed a very successful business under the Dublcheck brand, and he has been a huge proponent of the brands repute and out-reach. Despite the ongoing challenges of 2020, Simon has maintained his 2019 turnover in full and developed new areas of growth for 2020. Having come through a major recession and now a global pandemic, his franchise has survived multiple storms and 2021 looks to be a very rosy year indeed. Liverpool-based Simon Labone joined Dublcheck in 2006, leaving behind a full-time sales position and he has not looked back since. His dynamic and enthusiastic approach to running his franchise has seen his turnover grow from

72

£50k per year to £940k. This is his story: “I was desperate to be my own boss and be in control of my own future. I discovered Dublcheck at a franchise exhibition, and then had a meeting with Carol (Dublcheck’s founder) at head office, and this led to me coming on board. The entire process was very quick, about three to four months in total. This included one week’s training at head office, then a mentor for the first year. “I receive daily support, from legal to invoicing and operations, and head office are always happy to help. We had our first contract very quickly and, by the end of the year, we had more than our initial obligation. It was so important to be part of a franchise and a

Simon Labone, Dublcheck franchise


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

Carol Stewart-Gill, Founder & Chairman, Dublcheck

member of a network. It gives you a real structure with loads of backup. It means you can concentrate on just getting going. Knowing you have a sales team working for you is a real benefit.” Simon says his days are varied and fulfilling: “It’s very diverse and can involve a number of activities. This is a management franchise, so usually I check-in with my area manager in the morning and then deal with customer queries and emails. After that, I go out to see customers and may quote for new business if there have been enquiries. I may also oversee any interviews or deal with any administration, such as payroll or ordering supplies.” And it’s been a rewarding journey so far. Simon goes on: “There have

been many fantastic moments over the past decade but I think being named Franchise of the Year was a great achievement. This was down to a lot of hard work over a number of years from my team. I am in control of my working week and can be flexible if needed. The business has performed financially, and if you put in the hard work, the rewards are there. It’s great to have happy customers and this gives me fulfilment – plus, I have a great team around me.” As for the future: “To keep working hard and growing the business. I’m confident because this is a recession-proof sector – offices always need cleaning. And I would always recommend franchising. 2020 has been a tough year for the whole world, with many new

challenges and obstacles. But with that comes opportunity and new doors opening. I believe that the support of Dublcheck coupled with the resilience of the commercial cleaning market and my own self-determination have made this a successful year, where I have maintained my 2019 turnover in full. I believe this is an incredible achievement given the scale of the national lockdowns and Tier 3 restrictions in my native Liverpool. It has been very reassuring having Dublcheck Head Office around for support during these testing times. From H&S concerns, through to the constantly changing government advice, they are always on the end of the phone.

dublcheck.co.uk

73


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

33 N U M B E R

S

Cafe2U

ince 2004 we have been providing our customers with a welcome break to their working day, along with a gourmet coffee experience that cannot be recreated in the workplace. Our growing network of almost 100 vans serves thousands of happy customers every single day all over the UK. From office parks and industrial estates, to community and sporting events – we are ready to serve. We take pride in delivering high-quality coffee, food and customer service. And we care about our customers, our people, our suppliers and the planet. Cafe2U continues to be one of the UK’s largest premium coffee brands and the largest in the mobile sector. Ethical franchising remains a priority in the business, which can be seen through the work we do with the Project Waterfall and Macmillan charities every year. Our coffee is Rainforest Alliance certified and we are introducing fully recyclable cups into our franchise group.

Occupying their highest ever position within the Elite Franchise top 100 list is Cafe2U who are keeping UK employees topped up with high quality food and drink during their busy working hours

Training Package Our structured and robust recruitment process is designed to ensure we recruit only the most suitable. Potential business partners undertake an online skills assessment course, as well as a series of interviews to ensure they align with our brand and ethos. New starters spend time with

74

EST.

2004 N U MBE R OF FRAN CH ISE S

94 SECTOR

Mobile Coffee/Food & Beverage IN VE STME N T LE VE L

£20,950 + VAT


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

existing franchisees, getting a feel for daily life in this business. Once a franchisee is recruited they are provided with a pre-launch manual, which is designed to get them ready for their training course. Training lasts four weeks and comprises the following: Week 1: Classroom-based at our Leeds academy. This covers every aspect of running the business from making great coffee, to accounting and marketing. We also cover food handling, hygiene and serving. Week 2: This is a pre-launch programme that includes a visit from Franchise Development Managers. Weeks 3 & 4: Accompanied by one of our Franchise Development Managers, we coach our new franchisees on running their businesses, which involves finding customers for their daily rounds. At the end of the process, the new franchisee is equipped with all the skills they need to run the business. Franchise Development Managers will also make frequent

visits to franchisees during the first 12 months of operation. After this, it becomes four visits per year. Mentoring A mentoring programme will also be introduced and is tailored specifically to the needs of the new business owner. There is a weekly newsletter which informs franchisees of any developments within Cafe2U. We carry out regular market research, so that our franchisees know what is going on in the coffee industry, helping them to remain competitive. Starter Pack • A fully stocked van to see them through their initial launch period and beyond. • A supply chain that is up and running with competitive pricing and favourable payment terms. • Social media accounts set up for each new business partner. • Technical assistance so that all devices are properly set up and ready for the first day of trading. Doing Our Bit For Key Workers Although it certainly wasn’t in

anyone’s business plan, we recognised early on during this remarkable year in lockdown that we were perfectly positioned to do something special. To this end, we decided to give free coffee to doctors, nurses and other key workers who worked tirelessly during these unprecedented times. As such, we have given away approximately 15,000 cups of coffee, tea and hot chocolate during 2020, and have been working on the premise that if anyone deserved a little treat, it was the people who were put under incredible pressure to keep us all safe. The Future By the start of 2023 we want our network to have over 200 vans, with daily sales per franchisee in excess of £450, while retaining our position as the leading mobile coffee franchise globally.

cafe2u.co.uk

75


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

32

Pepe’s Piri Piri

Everything you need to buy a franchise.

This new entry into the EF top 100 listing is the largest piri-piri franchise in the UK, with over 125 stores nationwide. Pepe’s offer a wide range of flame grilled chicken dishes in one of six special flavours. Love Fresh, Love Tasty, Love Pepe’s.

Find a franchise...

Visit FranchiseSales.com

Browse opportunities, advice & more.

Get Accredited, show your commitment to franchising the right way….

Join our community as a Franchisor and get both peer and expert support. Accredit your brand, show that you are committed to offering an ethical business opportunity Stay up to date with best practices. Free networking and award opportunities. Your news shared on our blog and so much more.... Affordable pricing £585 annually or £50 monthly* *all applications are accredited you must pass before being subject to any charges

sarah@theafa.org.uk | 01752 905 752 76

SEAR


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

Buy a pizza delivery franchise. A large market: 49% of people in the UK eat pizza at least once a week. The average Brit will eat 731 pizzas in their lifetime. And a growing market: The home delivery market grew by 5.4% between 2011 and 2016. It exploits the boom in smartphones: Mobile devices have fuelled a surge in online sales, over half of pizza orders are now placed online.

Visit FranchiseSales.com to find out more about buying a pizza franchise – and more!

XX


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

31 N U M B E R

EST.

1994 NUM BE R OF F R ANCH ISE S

37 SECTOR

Plumbing & Drainage I NV ESTME N T LEVE L

Drain Doctor 78

£ 35,000 +VAT

Leaping 26 places up Elite Franchise’s top 100 list is Drain Doctor who are thriving during one of the worst economic periods in history and have recently launched eight new business partners

T

he Drain Doctor story begins in the United States in 1970 when Mr Rooter®, Drain Doctor’s sister company, opened for business, quickly establishing a reputation for performing quality work at honest prices. Over the last four decades, Mr Rooter has become the second largest full-service plumbing and drainage company in the US, with more than 200 franchised locations in North America. Using the same proven business model and franchise system, Drain Doctor was launched in the UK in 1994. Since then, it has become the nation’s largest fullservice emergency drainage and plumbing company, working in both the commercial and domestic sectors. Just like Mr Rooter® in America, Drain Doctor is fully committed to maintaining a reputation for delivering the highest level of customer service. As a Drain Doctor franchise owner, you won’t be on the tools yourself. But your team of trained technicians


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

will provide emergency drainage and plumbing services both 24/7 and 365 days a year. Drain Doctor’s office-based support team will assist you every step of the way, delivering consistent growth in your business to ensure you enjoy healthy profit margins and high earnings. Drain Doctor’s services are in demand. And that will never change. The majority of homeowners and businesses will be in need of a reliable and trustworthy plumber or drainage technician – and this is exactly what Drain Doctor is renowned for. In fact, as a long-established brand, Drain Doctor holds a number of major corporate accounts. These national companies commission projects to be completed by our franchise network. The Drain Doctor National Accounts team manages the entire relationship with our clients, leaving the franchise network free to deliver the best possible service. Jon and Lisa Parker, of Drain Doctor Oxford, said: “We chose Drain Doctor over other drainage companies, as we liked the friendly approach and the overall general set up of the franchise. Eight years on, our Drain Doctor business has allowed us to create our very

own spare time. We get many opportunities to do or go where we like. I like to play golf, Lisa likes to socialise with her friends. We also spend a lot more time with our two daughters and we love taking our two French bulldogs, Elvis and Ace, out for long walks.” In these uncertain times, there is one thing that hasn’t changed – the need for the services of a quality plumber. Over its 25-year history, Drain Doctor has thrived during some of the harshest of economic climates, always serving-up a world-class service to UK customers. Along with our comprehensive franchise package, which provides a thorough training programme

Ben Binns, Drain Doctor, Bradford

and dedicated support, you will begin to understand why it is among Britain’s elite franchise opportunities. This year has been challenging for the Drain Doctor network. However, they have continued to provide their essential services throughout the lockdown periods and have reached 2021 in a strong position. Drain Doctor has supported eight new franchise owners, who have all launched their businesses this year, including Ben from Bradford. Ben says: “I would never, in my wildest dreams, have thought about launching a new business at the beginning of a worldwide pandemic. As April unfolded, all the barriers between me and success were being erected. But thanks to determination and passion from the support network, and me too, those barriers were smashed down. During our first month of trading we had a calendar full of customer appointments and finished with a very strong profit. Since then, that trend has continued, and my business is progressing well.”

draindoctorfranchise.co.uk

79


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

30 N U M B E R

EST.

1993 N U MBE R OF FRAN CH ISE S

45 SECTOR

Pre-school Music Education IN VE STME N T LE VE L

£13,975 + VAT

Monkey Music For the third time in as many years, Monkey Music has been ranked inside the top 30 of Elite Franchise’s top 100 list, as the business continues to go from strength-to-strength

E

very week, thousands of families across the UK attend Monkey Music. Founded nearly 30 years ago by CEO Angie Coates, Monkey Music is widely acknowledged as a leading light in premium pre-school music education. Since it first began, specially trained teachers have taught over 2.4 million hours of classes and sung their way to revenues of more than £40m.

At the heart of the Monkey Music success story is its brilliant musical ‘bible’ which is a year-stage agespecific original curricula for babies and young children from three months to four years old. Hundreds of original catchy songs and musical activities, especially created and written by Angie and a team of musicians, are integrated in to weekly lesson plans, which support all aspects of early development.

The popularity of the brand continues to grow with the recent release of digital song downloads; a series of children’s books and a bespoke range of percussion instruments for children. All of this is enjoyed by a thriving franchise network, supported by an experienced head office team. “Being part of an excellent franchise network means you don’t have to reinvent the wheel with each new challenge,” says one of Monkey Music’s franchisees. Everyone at Monkey Music is encouraged to value their experience and ‘share precious time together’. For young families this means enjoying every minute of their Monkey Music, both in class and beyond. For franchise owners this means working full time but flexible hours and learning from experienced colleagues how to grow a successful and thriving business. The power and joy of Monkey Music is continually recognised by Elite Franchise and yet another top-100 ranking – a testament to its success and longevity.

monkeymusic.co.uk

80


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

29 N U M B E R

Fantastic Services

As the UK leader in the property-maintenance industry, Fantastic Services successfully runs an extensive service-based portfolio. Thе global company offers high-margin franchise opportunities across three continents

F

antastic Services was established in 2009 when two like-minded individuals started a small cleaning company in London. A decade later, their one-stop shop has revolutionised the manner in which people arrange appointments for work to be carried out in their home or office. The brand’s 10-year mission

E ST.

2009 NU M B E R O F F R A N C HI S E S

340 S EC TO R

Property Services

is to help 1,000 franchisees build a business worth more than £1m. And already, six of their Area Development franchisees are proud million-pound business owners. In order to achieve this, a support staff of more than 500 members, assist the company’s franchisees with their marketing, sales and IT enquiries. These experts implement

various business and marketing strategies on a daily basis. Their award-winning software and two apps automate the working process, which generates leads via the website and ultimately organises scheduling, communication, invoicing and marketing. Yet technology is not the only award-winning asset of the franchisor. Fantastic Services prides itself on exceptional franchise support, which has been lauded by many respected organisations within the franchise industry. All this, combined with comprehensive training and business coaching, is what makes this franchise opportunity so fantastic. Rune Sovndahl, company chairman, says: “Our franchise program works for people from all walks of life. We offer three types of franchise, depending on one’s background, experience, resources and goals in the field of cleaning, gardening, handyman, pest control, removals and waste removal services”. Today, Fantastic Services is a multi-service global company with a franchise network of more than 530 partners, serving over 50,000 satisfied customers every month. It is best known for its outstanding franchisee support, and flexible business. We hope all our franchisees are proud to join a business in the Elite Franchise 100 list.

I NV E STM E N T L E VE L

From £2,000 joinfantastic.com

81


NU M B ER

ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

28

The Creation Station T he Creation Station is the UK’s leading creative activity company, bringing creativity into all areas of learning, leisure and life. More than 7,000 customers have rated our award-winning, educational, well-being and fun experiences as having Five Stars on Trustpilot. Our fabulous team of over 100 franchise owners can choose from a comprehensive range of art and craft experiences. We cater for new parents and their babies; pre-school children; after-school classes; adult workshops; classes for senior citizens; plus intergenerational entertainment events.

The Creation Station was founded in 2002 by multi-award-winning entrepreneur Sarah Cressall. Sarah developed a unique system to spark curiosity and create journeys of exploration, discovery and development. In response to the growth of this market, and the need to support wellbeing, demand for our experiences continues to grow. We have been fortunate during 2020 to be able to continue to support customers and 48 charities with online creative courses and craft packs. Our franchise partners are now fully equipped and trained in being

‘Covid Secure,’ so they can safely run their activities online or faceto-face. This year has been tough for so many, and we are incredibly proud of our franchise family. We are here for each other and together we are creating positive futures for everyone connected with The Creation Station. If you would love to run your own flexible, fulfilling and financially rewarding creative franchise, we’d love to hear from you. thecreationstation.co.uk

Affordable UK Franchise Association Membership ◆ 12 Month Franchise Directory Featured Listing ◆ 12 Month Franchiseek International Directory Profile ◆ Quality Franchise Association Profile, Certificate & Badge ◆ Free it’seeze website audit ◆ Forum of Private Business Advice Helpline ◆ 10 free iHASCO training Courses ◆ Free Avalanche Marketing Audit ◆ Free initial consultation with Flower Accounting ◆ Free attendance to QFA meetings & events ◆ Free Macanta App* ◆ Free Perkbox Membership ◆ 10% Off Journolink PR Platform ◆ Bespoke Franchise Management Audit

Tangible benefits plus great value & support. Find out more today.

franchise-association.org.uk/join *read join page for details

82


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

Buy a coffee franchise. Coffee is big business: 2.2 billion coffee cups are consumed every year in coffee shops. It makes lots of money: Industry turnover in the UK is approx. £10.1 billion and grows at about 10% yearly. And it’s growing: Analysts predict the coffee shop sector will exceed 30,000 outlets and produce £15 billion turnover by 2025.

Visit FranchiseSales.com to find out more about buying a coffee franchise – and more!

XX


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

27 N U M B E R

PIRTEK

EST.

1980 Australia, 1988 UK & Ireland N U MBE R OF FRAN CH ISE S

86 SECTOR

Engineering– Hydraulics IN VE STME N T LE VE L

£275k £380k

When it comes to keeping the hydraulics industry moving, Pirtek is the go-to business for companies all over the UK and Ireland, and in 2021 this Australian-born franchise is making its debut in the Elite Franchise top 100 84

T

he name ‘Pirtek’ is globally synonymous with ‘hydraulic solutions’. Pirtek was born in Australia 40 years ago and by 1988 had reached the United Kingdom. Nowadays, it is active in more than 23 countries. Since its inception, and subsequent global expansion, Pirtek has built the broadest local and international footprint in the hydraulics industry. Today, Pirtek UK and Ireland has 86 centres, and over 350 mobile service units, all specialising in hydraulic hose replacement. Widespread coverage throughout the UK and Ireland allows Pirtek to offer a market leading reactive service, alongside planned maintenance and management services. Pirtek is renowned for providing the best emergency hydraulic solutions in the industry, available 24/7, all-year round. Pirtek is also the first point of call for planned maintenance and management of hydraulic machinery and equipment. Every day, businesses across the world lose vast sums of money because of hydraulic machinery breakdown. When companies experience failure of hydraulic


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

equipment, their entire operation can come to a standstill. Not only is this extremely frustrating, but also costly both in terms of precious time and money. Breakdowns can significantly set companies back both financially and in their production schedules. Customers call Pirtek when faced with failing equipment, because they know Pirtek will minimise their downtime and get their operation up and running again with minimum losses and no major fuss. The majority of Pirtek’s services are carried out at customer sites. However, many still choose to visit Pirtek service centres for help. Pirtek supports customers in a wide variety of industries, including: Agriculture, Automotive, Construction & Plant Hire, Defence, Environmental Services, Manufacturing, Marine & Offshore, Material Handling, Mining & Quarrying, Transport & Logistics, and Utilities. Pirtek enjoys a reputation for having the fastest

response time to emergency callouts in the industry, offering an emergency service with an ETA (estimated arrival time) within the hour. Aside from this, Pirtek is famous for its outstanding engineer training. All Pirtek engineers complete an intensive City & Guilds accredited programme, delivered by NEBOSH qualified trainers. Competitors in the hydraulic services industry consistently attempt to recruit Pirtek engineers, because their training levels are considered to be the gold standard within the industry. Additionally, Pirtek is forging the path of research and development within the hydraulics business, especially when it comes to hydraulic safety. The Pirtek Fluid Power Glove is the only PPE garment available today that offers protection against potentially fatal fluid injection injuries. It was developed by Pirtek and is widely used in the hydraulics industry, with more and more companies adding

it to their toolbox every day. Pirtek has excellent relationships with suppliers, working in partnership to give customers an unrivalled service. Having access to the right products and expertise, allows Pirtek to deliver a market leading service and keep downtime to a minimum. Pirtek is continuously working hard to improve its offering and go above and beyond. The company is always finding ways to become more efficient, more responsive and develop new technologies. As a result, Pirtek is consistently raising standards in the industry, and always strives to give its customers nothing but the best.

pirtek.co.uk | pirtek.ie

85


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

F

ounded in 2002 by Jo Stone and Tracy Townend, Puddle Ducks started franchising in 2007 and now teaches over 20,000 children to swim every week across 34 franchises. This multi award-winning franchise goes from strength to strength with 2020 seeing 5* Franchisee Satisfaction for the 8th year running and Finalists in the bfa Franchisee of the Year Awards amongst the recent accolades.

NU M B ER

26

Puddle Ducks

Innovation is key to our success; from proprietary technology with our bespoke management software to our unique, 100% child-led swimming programme, to our industry-first TV advertising campaign, we are leading the way both in baby and child swimming and with our franchise model. Our franchise owners enjoy a high level of Head Office support with a team of experts in Business Management & Growth, Finance, Technical (swimming and pool management), Marketing, Retail and IT. The future is bright for Puddle Ducks; 2021 will start with two new franchise owners launching in virgin territories. With two pools now owned by franchises in the network, two further pool builds underway and several franchise owners moving into investing in and managing existing pools, we are entering a new and exciting era of growth and sustainability. puddleducks.com

Everything you need to buy a franchise.

Buy an existing franchise Search 100s of franchise resales now Visit bfsale.co.uk/eliteresales

Foo d

fra

nch

n’s dre Chil chises n a r f

ise

s

Coffe e fran

chise

s

Find a franchise...

Pizza s hise franc

Visit FranchiseSales.com

Browse opportunities, advice & more. ises

anch Pet fr

86

Fast Fran Food chise s

Fitn rty ess Prope f hise ranchi Franc ses

SEAR


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

✓ ✓

Moving brands forward

EG TEN IA R T A N D STR CO METEGYENT S S TRAONT ION N O S C LAT EGY NT TI A RE RAT NTEIONS EL A DI ST COLAT E M RE A I D ME

We’re experts at getting your brand and your franchisees into the media. We also create valuable content to support your recruitment process both online and offline. We help franchisors to look internally to find the stories that will make an impact and reach potential franchisees, customers and affiliates. Our PR is designed to inspire prospects, build trust and raise awareness of your concept, product and services.

Working as your in-house PR team, we ensure prospects considering your opportunity find positive, engaging PR at every stage of their journey. From initial enquiry to due diligence. PRICELESS.

We also specialise in: • Grand opening packages • Start-up copywriting and launch PR projects for new franchisors • Initial franchisee PR training • PR training for your team.

lucy@revpr.co.uk www.revpr.co.uk

XX


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

25 N U M B E R

EST.

2010 N U MBE R OF FRAN CH ISE S

32 SECTOR

Shutters IN VE STME N T LE VE L

ÂŁ27,500

Shuttercraft

In four years, Shuttercraft has risen up the Elite Franchise top 100 list from 89 to 25, and now holds a prestigious full membership of the British Franchise Association 88

S

huttercraft is a premium home improvement franchise, offering quality interior plantation shutters. We have undertaken a massive growth strategy over the last two years. As well as redesigning the Shuttercraft franchise business model, we have increased our services for existing franchise partners and delivered more support and guidance in helping them to grow. We are proud to have improved our rating in the Elite Franchise Top 100 and this honour follows hot on the heels of our recent appointment to full membership of the bfa, which is the gold standard for any franchise business, and an excellent reference point for any prospective


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

franchisee looking to invest. We know that both accolades have been a result of the hard work and dedication we have put in to transforming the franchise offer, not just for new franchisees, but for existing partners as well. The model has been transformed from a ‘man and a van’ business model into a high-growth management network. As a result of these changes the model now includes: Training – The best business leaders in the world know the importance of learning all they can about how to run their business. To help our Partners achieve greatness we provide all the skills they need to confidently manage their business, and market the products. This includes a full training programme, a bespoke technology system and a dedicated marketing team. Communication – If everyone moves forward together then success takes care of itself. We have built multi-channel communication programmes between the head office team and the network, and organise three annual events – two technical workshops and one national workshop. Rewards – Recognising that success is part of our ethos, we have built a reward package designed to provide product discounts and fee reductions for our Partners as they grow their business, meaning that they benefit from increased turnover and ultimately larger profits. Motivational support – We all need help and support, and our new model provides this via one-to-one business development meetings, strategic marketing reviews and a bespoke sales programme.

All of this work has resulted in an unprecedented increase in the number of new franchisees this year – growth of 50% on the total number. What’s more, we at Shuttercraft are proud that it is not only the franchise network that has grown, but franchise partners have also seen an exponential growth in their turnover, with one partner achieving an increase of 146%, and a network average of 20% year-onyear. Whatever the motivation for starting your own business – a pension provision, a legacy for your children, lifelong income or simply having the work/life balance you want –Shuttercraft offers you the perfect solution. Lisa Stead of Shuttercraft commented: “During an unprecedented year we are thrilled that we have been able to finalise the transformation of our franchise offer and continue to enhance the lives of our partners by giving them the opportunity to grow their own business while still achieving the

right work/life balance. “Increasing the number of our franchise partners was a key strategic aim for us and the fact that we now have 50% more than we did last year is evidence that the hard work has been worth it. Our products are market-leading, and as we continue to expand and improve our product lines, and as the demand for interior plantation shutters continues to increase, we are confident that the Shuttercraft model will continue to grow and succeed, not just for us as a franchisor, but for our franchisees too.” Anyone looking for a franchise that provides them with a framework for success should apply to Shuttercraft.

shuttercraft-franchise.co.uk

89


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

24 N U M B E R

Expense Reduction Analysts Expense Reduction Analysts, who are experts in saving businesses money, has been a top-30 UK franchise for three successive years. Find out the secrets to their success

E

stablished in the UK in 1992, Expense Reduction Analysts (ERA) started life as a cost reduction training business. However, it quickly became apparent that the fast-learning trainees had developed more than enough knowledge and skills to collectively become a top rate financial outlet in itself. Thanks to advances in technology, ERA’s founder Fred Marfleet identified an opportunity for global scalability, and so the company became a franchise organisation. This collaboration of knowledge continued to expand and now, almost three decades later, ERA is still providing valuable advice to their clients in more

90

than 40 countries. Today, ERA is the world’s number one franchise for business strategy, supply chain and cost management, with over 700 franchise partners operating globally. Advice supplied by ERA’s experts has enabled businesses to improve their profit margins by reducing unnecessary expenditure. In today’s tough economic climate the number one challenge that most organisations face is the battle to minimize costs. Although businesses have been able to streamline expenditure, ERA discovered that many are still spending 40% too much on their everyday operating costs. Unfortunately, many businesses do not have the manpower, or depth of knowledge and expertise, to keep control of EST. this over-spend. So ERA’s franchise partners provide a solution to this 1992 challenge, by offering their clients a N U MBE R OF ‘No Savings, No Fee’ option, where FRAN CH ISE S the Franchise Partners take the risk 100 UK, 700+ and also a 50/50 share in savings Internationally over a two-year period. If no savings are found, then the client SECTOR does not pay. Business ERA’s partners act as trusted Services advisors to thousands of IN VE STME N T companies who, on average, are LE VE L able to enjoy double-digit savings. £44,900 Franchise partners operate their own consultancies which have a high-income potential. They also appreciate the benefits of collaborating with colleagues in all areas of the globe. Full training, coaching, mentoring and ongoing assistance is provided, along with lead generation and marketing support.

uk.expensereduction.com


ANYONE CAN BE THEIR OWN BOSS THROUGH FRANCHISING

WWW.FRANCHISESUPERMARKET.CO.UK


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

E ST.

2007 NUM B E R O F F R A N C HI S E S

69 SEC TO R

Cleaning I NV E STM E N T L E VE L

ÂŁ17,995

23 N U M B E R

A

ttitudes are changing. People are no longer ashamed to admit they pay for domestic support and there is an increased emphasis on leisure time. Busy families and young professionals are working longer hours and valuing their precious leisure time over household chores. They also have more disposable income to be able to afford it. That’s where Bright & Beautiful come in. Their franchisees up and down the land are delivering on the incredible demand for a premium comprehensive housekeeping service, one that is highly valued by their clients. From 2012 to 2017, the demand for house cleaners in the UK grew by 25%. Since then, Bright & Beautiful has doubled in size and this demand shows no sign of stopping. Founded in 2007, Bright & Beautiful has quickly established itself as the domestic cleaning franchise opportunity not to be missed. Their core values and reputation for quality, as well as a surge in demand for premium housekeeping services, have helped the brand to achieve over £30m in sales in just a few short years. Over the course of its history, Bright & Beautiful has been nominated for a number of national awards, collecting a variety of accolades from across the franchise community. As an associate member of the British Franchise Association, and an ever-present brand in the Elite Franchise top 100 list, commitment to ethical and successful franchising is clear for any potential investor to see.

Bright & Beautiful

Bright & Beautiful is a growing franchise which identified an opportunity to serve thousands of time-strapped families across the UK. And it has now reached its highest-ever position in the Elite Franchise top 100 list 92


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

Bright & Beautiful now support an engaged community of over 70 like-minded franchise owners across the UK. All of whom are committed to becoming the ‘go to’ domestic cleaning brand in their franchise territory and working towards our group goal of national brand recognition. In our 24/7 society, Bright & Beautiful franchisees support busy individuals and families by providing a bespoke range of premium housekeeping and cleaning services that helps them to enjoy their homes and their free time. Importantly, if you join Bright & Beautiful you will not be required to conduct the housekeeping work yourself. Instead, you will manage your team of professional housekeepers as they deliver a premium service to your clients. The Bright & Beautiful franchise package has been perfected over 10 years, to give new franchise owners everything they need to build a successful, profitable housekeeping business. With comprehensive training, expert support and industry-leading franchise systems, you can be safe in the knowledge that your local cleaning business has been constructed to help you achieve your goals. The eye-catching, modern Bright & Beautiful brand has resonated well with clients across the country since it was created in 2007. At

the heart of this are the Bright & Beautiful brand pillars that were developed in line with our values. Bright & Beautiful, and its franchise owners, are wholeheartedly committed to providing a service that includes quality, safety and security. Our franchise owners also take great pride in creating employment opportunities which are fair and ethical. It is these values that ultimately led the brand to be acquired by Neighbourly in 2017. Established in 1981, Neighbourly has grown to now serve over 10 million customers across nine different countries, providing security to its 4,300 franchise owners across the globe. Read what Toni Hibbert, our Derby partner, had to say about why she chose Bright & Beautiful: “When I returned to work after having my daughters, I knew that I wanted to be self-employed and started looking for opportunities. Once I found Bright & Beautiful, I stopped looking. The brand and the marketing are so appealing, and I find that I get such a positive response from potential clients. I also love the fact that I am an ethical employer creating family friend jobs in my local area.”

brightandbeautifulhome.com

93


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

22 N U M B E R

W

ith an established presence of over 60 years in the UK, ServiceMaster Clean is a familiar name that is trusted by both residential and commercial customers alike. For the domestic consumer-focused investor, our Residential Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning model will provide the owner with an opportunity to build a reputable, local business. With the addition of our exclusive business management software, and the opportunity to sell your services online through our e-commerce facility, we have never been so appealing to a residential market. Meanwhile, a more commercially-minded investor may prefer the ServiceMaster Clean Commercial option. This is designed to provide commercial carpet and upholstery cleaning services to organisations on a regular basis. It is vital to build strong relationships with your clients, so they keep coming back for repeat business or maintenance programmes. In the multi-billion pound commercial and office cleaning market, it’s never been so important to maintain a clean and hygienic environment for staff and customers alike. Franchisees who purchase our ServiceMaster Clean Contract Services option, usually post annual sales in excess of £1m. And many of these partners reach this figure in less than three years. Whichever franchise opportunity you choose, you’ll secure a place on our comprehensive training academy, where we cover all business disciplines including sales, marketing, administration, IT and much more. You’ll receive all the support that you need to not only get off to a flying start but to remain flying too. If you’d like to make the leap to owning your own business – for yourself, but not by yourself – contact a member of our friendly recruitment team today to make your dreams become a reality.

ServiceMaster Clean Cruising to a highest-ever No 22 in the Elite Franchise top 100, ServiceMaster is a global brand which offers three distinct business opportunities

E ST.

1959 NUMBER OF FRANCHISES

500+ S EC TO R

Cleaning/ Restoration Services I N VE STM E N T L E VE L

£19,995 £23,500 + VAT

94

ServiceMaster Cleanfranchise.co.uk


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

Buy a pizza delivery franchise. A large market: 49% of people in the UK eat pizza at least once a week. The average Brit will eat 731 pizzas in their lifetime. And a growing market: The home delivery market grew by 5.4% between 2011 and 2016. It exploits the boom in smartphones: Mobile devices have fuelled a surge in online sales, over half of pizza orders are now placed online.

Visit FranchiseSales.com to find out more about buying a pizza franchise – and more!

XX


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

21 N U M B E R

E ST.

2017 NUMBER OF F R A N C HI S E S

285+ S EC TO R

Telecommunications I N VE STM E N T L E VE L

£65-£100k

96

Vodafone At No 21 in the Elite Franchise top 100 is Vodafone, a world leader in mobile communications and operating in 26 countries, with close to 20 million subscribers in the UK alone


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

V

odafone has always been a company of firsts: They were the first to launch a cellular network, and made that very first call in 1985. In 2019, they successfully launched 5G which was powered by their awardwinning network. They conducted the world’s first holographic call and were the first company to offer unlimited data on both 5G and 4G, following the launch of their successful Vodafone Unlimited. They also carried out the first demonstration of 5G powered by haptic technology. And when it comes to franchising, Vodafone has exactly the same attitude. Through their ‘Partner Programme,’ which was launched in August 2017, the company’s network has grown rapidly. In 2020 alone they have celebrated the opening of more than 280 franchised stores. More are planned for 2021 when they aim to open another 100 franchise outlets. Vodafone has also become a member of the British Franchise Association (bfa) and were named as a finalist in the Emerging Franchise Awards. Yet, for a company as ambitious as Vodafone, this is just the start. They are wholly committed to their vision of an exciting future, by continuing to deliver fantastic services and innovative technology for their customers. As a franchisor, they have adopted a similar approach: Their ‘Partner Programme’ is access friendly and hands on. They have no upfront costs, which removes a huge barrier for those wishing to get into franchising but are lacking initial capital for their new investment. There is a three store per partner policy, which encourages franchisees to be dedicated, involved, and keen brand ambassadors. But that’s not all. As part of their plans to franchise 90% of their retail estate, they have started opening brand new stores in new locations –

which are franchisee owned. This is Vodafone’s approach to reinvigorating the high street for retail purposes. In 2020, Vodafone has been supporting its franchise partners during the Covid-19 pandemic. When lockdown was imposed, Vodafone immediately provided each partner with two laptops, allowing them to WebChat from home, so they could continue earning revenue. As for 2021, Vodafone plan to open up many new revenue streams to focus on Tech Support and Fibre Broadband, and so assist their partners to grow their business. This is what some of Vodafone franchise partners have said: David Harris-Heffer says: “I researched franchise opportunities before becoming a Partner Agent and I can confidently say there is nothing quite like this on offer in the UK.” “Vodafone’s commitment to its customers and colleagues is on a different scale and this is clearly evident in how they have created their franchise programme.” “The programme is a true partnership. It is a fast-paced, forever-changing industry, where success is achievable providing you are dedicated and adaptable. This is the key to succeeding as a Vodafone Partner Agent.” “Vodafone’s innovation is exciting

and reassuring. They are a marketleading brand, with so much in the pipeline not to mention 5G. Without a doubt, it was the best decision I made in 23 years of working in retail.” Dale Clark (Scunthorpe & Grimsby) says: “Having worked in the franchise industry for another network, for 11 years, I always wanted the opportunity to run my own business. Vodafone’s partner scheme gave me that chance. Vodafone’s expectations during the selection process were clear and challenging but offered fantastic support and advice throughout. Opening my stores during a pandemic was tough but the support from Vodafone has surpassed all of my expectations. I am 100% confident that joining Vodafone was the right decision.” Vodafone is proud to be a brand that connects people, business and communities in an ever-changing digital world. With the internet, digital technology and mobile innovation driving unimaginable developments, there is no better time to be in digital telecoms.

vodafone.co.uk/franchise

97


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

20 N U M B E R

Anytime Fitness

Take advantage of a booming industry and become the newest fitness franchisee with global brand Anytime Fitness, which now has over 170 locations across the UK and Ireland EST.

2010 (UK) N U MBE R OF FRAN CH ISE S

172 SECTOR

Health & Fitness IN VE STME N T LE VE L

£170,000

T

his year marked Anytime Fitness’ 10th anniversary in the UK, where it has firmly established itself as the nation’s largest fitness franchise. Globally, the brand has surpassed 5,000 locations worldwide and currently serves over four million members in 39 countries. After opening its first UK club in Clifton, Bristol in 2010, Anytime Fitness now has over 170 clubs across the UK and Ireland, with an eclectic range of franchisees within its network. All UK clubs are now adopting an exciting new global internal layout. This has made clubs more open plan, removing closedoff office space and creating more welcoming training environments. Franchisee support Anytime Fitness franchisees benefit from a network of more than 30 industry experts, as well as partners, such as real estate advisors who provide exclusive searches to help secure the perfect site. Franchise Performance

98


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

Coaches are on hand to guide franchisees through every stage of owning a club, along with supporting departments whose passion and drive for the brand is unparalleled. Ongoing support and training is provided weekly, monthly and yearly, on-site, via regional roadshows and more so than ever, remotely. This training supports franchisees across every aspect of running their club including sales processes, payment systems, customer database management, security, customer retention and customer service. Franchisees are given the opportunity to refresh their knowledge and/or send club staff members along for learning and development. Franchisees can choose how much time they spend in the day-to-day running of their club, once it is open. Many franchisees employ a manager to run their club, with this role encompassing sales, managing staff, ensuring the club is safe, clean and equipment is working, maintaining high standards of customer service, greeting new potential members and keeping all members happy. Since 2010, 60% of UK franchisees have gone on to own more than one territory, making the business benefits even greater. With a fixed franchise fee, owning an Anytime Fitness club offers a consistent income, a great work-life balance and the chance to make a positive and often life-changing difference to your members.

Coach, Care, Connect Anytime Fitness provides far more than just convenient gym locations and offers comprehensive support and resources to Coach, Care and Connect with its members and franchisees. The year 2020 saw the launch of the new AF Connect Online member platform, a further benefit for its 180,000 plus UK members. Supporting them when they’re not within the four walls of a club, the platform provides on-demand workouts, wellbeing content and exclusive discounts provided by a wealth of brand partners. At a time when people’s workout habits are changing, and an increase in digital fitness consumption, the platform provides a further selling point to its members and helps Anytime Fitness deliver its brand promise to ‘Make Healthy Happen’. The launch of AF Connect Online complemented the recent roll-out of remote personal training, where Anytime Fitness clubs and their personal trainers are now able to deliver personal training remotely through the Anytime Fitness app.

This provides a secondary revenue stream for clubs and an additional way to support members. Why Anytime Fitness? The Anytime Fitness family keeps expanding year-on-year and, with fitness industry growth forecast to continue, below are just a handful of reasons why franchisees choose Anytime Fitness: • 96% global success rate; • Over 80% of franchisees are not from the fitness industry; • Funding is available from major banks; • Full training and support from the moment the franchise agreement is signed; • Recurring direct debit income; • Experienced property team and expert real estate partnerships; • Low staffing model; • Low fixed monthly fees; • Industry experts from the Support Office team.

anytimefitness.co.uk

99


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

19 N U M B E R

Dream Doors Earning a second successive top-20 appearance in the Elite Franchise list is Dream Doors, a thriving franchise which posted its best-ever monthly trading figures during the on-going Coronavirus pandemic

100

T

he first Dream Doors showroom was established on the south coast in 1999 with a unique value proposition for our customers: Reface your kitchen and make it look brand new for a fraction of the cost of a full refit. It’s a value proposition that is clearly popular: The Dream Doors brand now boasts 100 showrooms throughout the UK, employing teams of trusted, local professionals to deliver makeovers using replacement doors and worktops – plus full refits where needed – within specified trading territories. The strength of our brand and our network’s ability to increase its total turnover year-on-year comes from finding and recruiting the right people. In short, those people who can effectively learn how our business model works and then recreate that success for themselves in their own territory. Dream Doors prides itself on the quality of the training it provides to new franchisees, ensuring they have the knowledge and confidence they need to visit customers at home, survey their kitchens and sell them EST. products based on their individual needs. In fact, the level of training 1999 and support on offer means new N U MBE R OF franchisees do not need any FRAN CH ISE S previous experience in kitchens, in 100 sales or in running a business of SECTOR their own. Kitchens & Our comprehensive and awardBedrooms winning training course is delivered at our state-of-the-art head IN VE STME N T LE VE L office and training centre. New showroom owners learn about £35,000+ every element of how to run their business, beginning with effective local level marketing strategies, learning how to sell to people in their homes, how to measure units and how to manage kitchen fitters’ diaries. Dream Doors’ in-house training is then followed by more in-depth product training with our key suppliers at their offices and production centres throughout the UK. Even after the initial training has ended, Dream Doors’ head office staff and Business Development Managers continue to support new showrooms. They provide help to find and set up showrooms, running official launch days and going out on those all-important initial customer appointments.


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

Our Business Development Managers also provide marketing, sales and support services to the showroom owner throughout their trading cycle. This includes highlyfocused and responsive Pay per Click marketing support that helps ensure every showroom owner is making the most of every lead generation opportunity available to them. At Dream Doors we truly believe we offer one of the highest value franchising opportunities in the UK. New franchisees can join the network for as little as a £35,000 investment, plus the ability

to borrow more. This can, and has in the past, put showroom owners on the fast track to generating turnovers of hundreds of thousands of pounds per year – earning themselves a six-figure annual income in the process. Dream Doors has a reputation for delivering quality, cost effective kitchen makeovers with a strong focus on customer service and satisfaction. But don’t take our word for it: Dream Doors holds a well-deserved 9.7 out of 10 rating on independent industry review website Checkatrade, based on

more than 22,000 reviews and more than 92,000 installations completed. Dream Doors has won 15 national awards, including best kitchen supplier and best moneysaving product in the Daily Express Home and Living Awards. Our strong industry reputation means we offer high end products from brands such as Bosch, Neff, Franke and Blanco, with some exclusivity. Proving that we continue to go from strength to strength, Dream Doors enjoyed its biggest ever monthly turnover of £7m in July, despite the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic. Ours is a business model that not only survives, but thrives, during periods of economic downturn – there’s never been a better time to join our network. ®

dreamdoorsfranchise.co.uk

101


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

18 N U M B E R

CeX

Entering the list of Top 20 UK franchises for the first time is CeX, who have made millions out of recycling second-hand digital entertainment products. But the success story doesn’t end there, because this innovative company has recently launched its own range of branded products 102

EST.

2004 N U MBE R OF FRAN CH ISE S

112 SECTOR

Retail IN VE STME N T LE VE L

£150,000 to £250,000


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

T

he best ideas are often the simplest and yet most profitable. Complete Entertainment eXchange (CeX) takes the buy and sell concept, and then updates it by trading in digital entertainment products. CeX shops buy, sell and exchange mobile phones, games, electronics, computers and film media, directly from the public. But what separates CeX from other buy and sell retailers is their execution – supported by more than 25 years of experience. The brand is acclaimed as a technology and entertainment specialist. The CeX website provides customers with an opportunity to buy, sell or even exchange their goods online, with all orders fulfilled by CeX stores directly. This gives franchisees the benefit of a much wider customer base. CeX has recently expanded into repairs, providing customers with a complete solution to their electronic needs, while providing franchise partners with new revenue streams. The company has also launched its own range of branded products and is expanding this range even further, by improving retail offering and profits.

CeX has developed its own bespoke computer systems that simplify the process of buying and selling. Goods are tested before they are bought in, and then resold with a 24-month warranty. This provides customers with great value for money, as well as peace of mind. The successful CeX model has helped the company grow its number of branches, during a period when many other retailers in the sector have been forced to close theirs. The reason for this can be attributed to CeX's ability to set its own prices, based on market conditions, which has helped to maximise profits and limit exposure to industry forces. Those who become a Franchise Partner will receive: • Initial and ongoing training • Stock and pricing advice from experts • Intranet, web, email and business services • Store identification, design and outfit • Bespoke EPOS & Mobile Epos Systems • Store launch and marketing support

Established in Tottenham Court Road, London, in 1992, CeX began franchising in 2005. Countries that already offer franchise possibilities are the United Kingdom, Ireland, Spain, Canary Islands, Mexico, India, Portugal, Netherlands, Poland, Australia and Italy. They have over 350 stores in the UK and more than 250 in other parts of the globe. A CeX franchise offers unrivalled returns. Within two years of starting out as a franchise, a typical new store will, on average, generate an annual turnover in excess of £1 million. Put simply, we believe we are the 'Gadget Lover's Dream Franchise'.

webuy.com/franchise

103


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

E ST.

1995

17

N U MB ER OF FRANCH IS ES

300+

N U M B E R

Belvoir

From little acorns grow mighty oak trees. This is the story of leading property franchise Belvoir whose rise through the ranks is truly outstanding. They weigh-in at No 17 in our top 100 list 104

SECTOR

Property Sales & Lettings. IN VE STM ENT LEV EL

Dependent on business model and location.

P

roperty will always be personal with the Belvoir Group. It doesn’t matter if you are a franchisee, landlord, tenant, vendor or a buyer. The strength of our relationships is what defines us. It’s what the business was founded upon over 20 years ago. Mike Goddard and his wife Stephanie shared a vision back in 1995 to build a lettings agency that championed customer service, and was run professionally by specialists and experts who could be trusted. Together they laid down the brand’s roots in Lincolnshire and within a year they had converted their proposition into a franchise – with the first franchise office opening soon after. Since then, the Belvoir brand has flourished into a high street staple that is recognised and trusted across the country. From this position of strength, the leadership team set their sights on growing the business, with the acquisition of estate agents Newton Fallowell, Northwood


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

For Yusuf Majid, a Belvoir franchisee, the Discovery Day was invaluable: “I met a few other franchise companies, but meeting with Belvoir at a Discovery Day helped me make the decision. They introduced me to the Central Office team, explained how things worked and how they could help get me started.”

and Lovelle, as well as financial service brands Brook Financial Services and MAB Gloucester. The Belvoir Group was born. You can now find us in over 300 locations across the country, which makes us the largest property franchise on the UK high street. Full support from a central team When you become a franchisee with the Belvoir Group – whether with Belvoir, Lovelle, Newton Fallowell or Northwood – you become part of an established and trusted high street brand, and that comes with the full support of a centrally-located team. We support franchisees with:

Learn more at a discovery day Ever wondered if a property sales and lettings franchise is for you? Well, you wouldn’t buy a house without doing your due diligence, so we wouldn’t expect you to rush into a franchise opportunity without really getting to know the business proposition. Our personalised, one-to-one sessions give you the opportunity to learn what it takes to run a Belvoir, Lovelle, Newton Fallowell or Northwood franchise. It’s a chance for us to learn about each other and the opportunities available, and to make sure it’s the right fit for both parties.

What our franchisees say Kerry Pike, Belvoir, on Finance: “They made it very easy with funding. To be honest, I never thought it was something I would have been able to do. They convinced me it was possible.” Sue Warburton, Belvoir, on Support: “The support is par excellence, it’s fantastic. It feels like one big family, and you don’t feel like you’re on your own out there.” Steve Swann, Northwood, on becoming a franchisee: “Do your research. Make sure you’re 100% confident. It’s a business, and you have to work very hard. You work as hard as any other business. The nice thing is you’ve got that support, you’ve got that background, you’ve got other offices you can turn to, and you can treat them like mentors.”

belvoirfranchisegroup.co.uk

• Business development • Leadership • Legal support • Finance • Audit and compliance • Assisted acquisitions • Marketing • IT Jason Treadwell, a Newton Fallowell franchisee, says: “The support of head office allows you to do the day-to-day running of your estate agency. You don’t have to worry about legal support because they provide it for you, and they will keep you on your toes to make sure you are compliant.”

105


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

16 N U M B E R

Right at Home

EST.

2010 N U MBE R OF FRAN CH ISE S

60+

Back inside the top 20 for the first time in three years is Right At Home, which believes in offering a holistic approach to home care

E

stablished in the UK 10 years ago, by current CEO Ken Deary, Right at Home delivers care and companionship that makes a real difference to the lives of clients and their families. Right at Home believes in striving beyond traditional care models by offering a holistic approach that addresses the emotional well-being of its clients, while also delivering peace of mind to their loved ones. Care services range from companionship through to livein and complex care packages. They offer a viable alternative to residential care and ensure that the client maintains control over their daily routines. Right at Home has become the highest rated national home care group, and it enjoys an overall client review score of 9.8/10 on homecare.co.uk – which is the UK’s leading independent review site for home care services. Care Regulators have also recognised the high level of professionalism shown by all Right at Home franchises. The

106

SECTOR

Care IN VE STME N T LE VE L

£40,000

Care Quality Commission has given every inspected franchise a minimum rating of ‘Good,’ while 27% of inspected offices achieved an ‘Outstanding’. Right at Home, which has more than 60 offices, is the only UK care business to achieve a ‘Five Star Franchise’ rating consistently for eight years. These are based on results from an anonymous Franchisee Satisfaction Benchmark survey.

Michael and Tracey Scott

Care industry experience is not required as Right at Home supports franchisees to recruit an experienced manager to oversee care delivery, while offering comprehensive training and ongoing support. Right at Home provides all franchisees with the tools and guidance they need to grow and maintain an exceptional care company. The husband and wife team of Michael and Tracey Scott from south London say: “We wanted a change of lifestyle, a chance to be our own bosses and to build something rewarding. Those ambitions have been fulfilled and we’re both incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved.”

rightathomefranchising.co.uk


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

YOUR BRAND, ON DEMAND 24/7 ✔ SAVE TIME ✔ SAVE MONEY ✔ IMPROVE BRAND ALIGNMENT

Discover how a BrandDemand system could benefit your network BrandDemand is an easy to use web-to-print system developed by printing.com. It has been designed with user experience in mind and comes complete with a range of integrated features to make the print ordering process as easy as possible for you and your network.

“The system is really intuitive and simple to use, orders can be placed in minutes giving us more time to focus on the ActionCOACH business.” Laura Thorburn, Marketing Manager, ActionCOACH UK

Want to know how BrandDemand system could benefit your network? Call us on: 0345 299 3691 or email production@cemg.media

Working in association with

Your pathway to connect with franchisors and franchisees. 15,000

opted-in subscribers

250k+

digital partner reach

Elite Franchise is the definitive guide for the franchising sector. This online platform is full to the brim with news and features for franchisors and franchisees alike.

elitefranchisemagazine.co.uk


INTRODUCING THE TOP 15 UK FRANCHISES FOR 2021



ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

EST.

2000 N U MBER OF FRAN C H IS ES

75 (UK), 337 (Globally) SEC TOR

Education IN VE STM ENT LE V EL

ÂŁ33,000

15 N U M B E R

Tutor Doctor 110

Tap into the growing education sector and become the latest business partner to sign up with this year’s 15th ranked franchise, Tutor Doctor, and make a huge contribution to the lives of children all over the UK

T

utor Doctor is the fastest growing tutoring franchise in the world. After a mammoth year, the brand has firmly held on to that position, welcoming 15 new franchisees into the UK network alone. But what do these ambitious professionals all have in common? With a passion for the autonomy of business ownership, all were quick to recognise the ever-growing opportunity in the education sector and the ability to make a genuine difference in their own communities. Franchisees manage a team of tutors and work closely with families to identify the needs of students. As a successful business owner at


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

the heart of their local community, franchisees help children to achieve their potential and change lives for the better. The tired old centrebased model lacks convenience and the personal touch needed in today’s modern, hectic world. For a truly bespoke person-centred service, tutors visit students at home, or work with them one-toone via Tutor Doctor’s unique online platform. Tutor Doctor has always been committed to going above and beyond to help its network succeed. Once franchisees join the network, they attend an intensive in-class style training programme called Road to Home Office Training (HOT) which takes new recruits through the very foundations needed to build a successful tutoring business. Further to this, once training is complete, franchisees work with a business coach on a strict mentoring scheme for the life of their business.

Tutor Doctor offers a low-risk model with a high Return on Investment (ROI). Franchisees can work from home for added flexibility and all tutors work on a self-employed basis, so there’s no need to worry about the usual costly overheads. As a management franchise, a large percentage of franchisees eventually employ a team of staff, including education consultants and admin assistants, giving themselves more time and freedom to focus on business development and growth. Collaboration and a real sense of togetherness is just one of the things that sets the Tutor Doctor network apart from others. Franchisees, new and established, have regular regional meetings, webinars and calls with their field support team. Not forgetting an annual conference that brings together the whole network for a chance to learn, celebrate and

plan for the future. Franchisees are well and truly at the heart of the business and this constant support is designed to inspire, assist and motivate each and every one to strive for greatness. The past 12 months have presented a challenge, but it didn’t stop the global tutoring franchise adapting and working with clients to provide a vital, seamless service. A survey conducted in April, just weeks after the first lockdown was imposed, revealed that two-thirds of children who previously received private tuition were no longer receiving such support. However, Tutor Doctor witnessed a dramatic 120% increase in demand for its online tuition services. Across the country, more and more people are recognising the benefits of extra-curricular activity, meaning hotspots of potential customers are simply waiting for franchisees to arrive. As demand for its services continues to rise, so does the opportunity to build a scalable business with Tutor Doctor. In West London, David Boddy has recently tripled the number of his territories, from three to nine, purely to meet growing demand. A business that provides a muchneeded solution to an ongoing problem, Tutor Doctor presents a real opportunity for enthusiastic, people-orientated professionals to create a booming business. Tutor Doctor is looking for passionate, ambitious individuals who want to build a great business and change the lives of the children and families they serve. Does that sound like you?

tutordoctoropportunity.com/uk-main

111


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

E ST.

2005 N U MB ER OF FRANCH IS ES

110 SECTOR

Domiciliary Care IN VE STM ENT LEV EL

£120,000

14 N U M B E R

Caremark

At No 14, and securing a fourth successive top-15 rating, is Caremark whose thriving network of in-home care has continued to enjoy sustained growth despite the political uncertainty of Brexit and the economic turbulence of Covid-19 112

F

ounded in 2005, Caremark has grown to become the leading franchise provider of in-home care services in the UK. It currently has an established network of over 110 franchisees, along with 12 overseas territories, which makes Caremark a growing presence, both at home and abroad. Caremark’s proven success has continued through the uncertainty of Brexit, as well as the current pandemic. This is largely because of its successful tried, trusted and tested model, along with its unrivalled support structure. Caremark also benefits from being a wholly independently UK-owned franchisor, which allows for strategic business decisions to be made swiftly. Multiple revenue streams The growing diversity of services which Caremark offers, means there are multiple revenue streams open to new franchisees. These include the following: • Live-in care • Respite care • Companionship and social services • Dementia care • Children’s services • Personal care


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

There is also the innovative new care system called PatchCareŽ, which provides support and help when clients need it, and in the comfort of their own homes. Over the years, Caremark has developed and refined a robust system bolstered by strong policies and procedures. This enables the company to grow a sustainable business. Our proven model allows every Caremark franchise to focus on developing their business, which is built and shaped by the Care Manager. This person, in turn, supervises a team of trusted Care & Support Workers. Each franchise must adhere to a robust, resilient system, which reduces risk for the new business owner, especially during the crucial first year. As a full member of the British Franchise Association (bfa), Caremark prides itself on honesty and transparency. Thanks to its strong code of ethics, the company places this at the centre of everything it does. Caremark has built a respected and reputable brand, which gives instant credibility to new franchisees and helps to establish that all-important client base. Caremark’s excellent relationship with numerous high street banks plays a major role in helping franchise partners to fund their new venture. We have 14,000 clients, more than 6,000 registered carers and we administer over five million hours of care each year. Training and ongoing support Caremark offer comprehensive in-house training through their structured 10-day initial programme. They will also provide ongoing assistance, and appoint a special field support team, once the franchise is up and running. This two-pronged support from head office, as well as its regional management team, includes business development, staff training, IT, PR, marketing and roster management support. Once a business has been registered by the Care Quality Commission, new franchisees also benefit from a straightforward process which makes it easy to launch their business and

ultimately introduce the Caremark brand to their local community. A sustainable and resilient business opportunity Caremark’s proven business opportunity continues to attract a wide variety of professionals from many different sectors. Having a background in care is not necessary, due to the full training and ongoing support we provide. What we do ask is for business management experience, along with a passion for the care sector. You must possess a genuine desire to grow a community-based service, along with having the drive to build a sustainable business. The common denominator among all Caremark franchisees is their desire to be involved in a business which gives something back to society and makes a huge difference to the most vulnerable people in their communities.

caremarkfranchises.com

113


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

13 N U M B E R

MOLLY MAID E ST.

1984 NUM B E R O F F R A N C HI S E S

68 SEC TO R

Domestic Cleaning I NV E STM E N T L E VE L

£18,975

114

With the home cleaning industry growing by the month, why not take advantage by joining Molly Maid, a trusted brand name within this sector and back among the elite of franchise businesses for a third year in a row

I

t is no surprise that in the midst of a global health pandemic, families are paying even greater attention to keeping their homes clean and sanitised, which is driving the professional home cleaning industry to even greater heights. Valued at nearly £3 billion annually, this growth has the longest established and most recognised brand – Molly Maid – planning for significant expansion during the next few years. Kevin Hipkins, president and CEO, has been with the company for almost 30 years and says the changes in the industry are unlike anything he has ever seen. Hipkins said: “We have focussed on things like contracts of employment, as well as comprehensive training and care for employees welfare, including fair wages and these things are going to be even more important to the millions who will now be choosing


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

professional services like Molly Maid to keep their home cleaned and sanitised.” The company launched its HomeSafe cleaning procedures within weeks of the first national lockdown, another innovation to the sector and something that Hipkins says shows the values of the company: “Today more than ever, caring for the health and safety of people has to be ingrained in your company’s culture and operations.” HomeSafe has been lauded by the UK Government (Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy) and recognised in the press, for its safety-first approach in helping Molly Maid Franchise Owners quickly resume service in early May. Molly Maid was founded in Canada during the 1970’s and came to the UK in the early 1980’s. The company’s instantly recognisable pink and blue colours, distinctive logo and Franchise Owner focus, caught the attention of Pam Bader OBE, the first female chairwoman of the bfa. Pam led the company for more

than two decades as it became the industry leader in the UK, and received accolades such as bfa Franchisee of the Year and finalists of Franchisor of the Year. The company is now owned by Hipkins, a veteran of the industry, with long service in Canada, and working with master licenses in Portugal, Japan and the United States. For the past three years, Molly Maid has featured in the top 15 of the Elite Franchise best 100 list. Hipkins is proud of these accolades but even prouder of the company’s Franchise Owners and Support Office team in what they have done to come through this challenging period: “From the first day of lockdown our focus was on helping Franchise Owners and preparing our business for a hugely successful restart. Within weeks of resuming service, some of our Franchise Owners were already achieving similar turnover as they were before the lockdown and this doesn’t happen by accident. It starts and ends with close and trusting relationships with customers, something that we

have long believed in and work extremely hard at, and that effort has certainly paid off.” The home cleaning industry has grown steadily for the past few decades, helped in part by an increasing number of timepressed families who don’t want to clean. But with the importance now of cleanliness in the home, the industry is set for record growth over the next decade and with the industry leading brand and their HomeSafe trademark, Molly Maid is sure to be the biggest benefactor. As the company comes up to its fourth decade in business, Hipkins says a combination of a growing industry, the most wellknown brand, plus a team of great Franchise Owners, means it will be the best decade in Molly Maid’s history.

mollymaid.co.uk

115


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

12 N U M B E R

H TaxAssist Accountants Claiming a highest-ever position of No 12 is TaxAssist Accountants whose loyalty, advice and expertise is gratefully appreciated by small businesses in all parts of the UK

EST.

1995 N U MBE R OF FRAN CH ISE S

234 SECTOR

Accountancy and Finance IN VE STME N T LE VE L

£40,000+

116

ere are just some of the reasons why people purchase a TaxAssist Accountants’ franchise: 1) – You can work closer to home; 2) – You have flexibility on your working hours; 3) – You are taking an ongoing income from your business and simultaneously building an asset for the future. There are other reasons too, and these include being part of your local business community. There is presently a huge demand for local, quality advisory services, so this could be the perfect time to get involved by becoming one of our franchisees. By being focused on supporting local small businesses, you’ll change lives and livelihoods. And you’ll enjoy advantages you simply can’t get elsewhere. Business model We provide technology-led services via our welcoming high street shops. And it’s our passion for innovation which has kept TaxAssist Accountants, and its franchise network, at the forefront of this sector for 25 years. Small business owners are looking for exceptional support and guidance more than ever before. Increasingly, their accountant is becoming a key trusted advisor who helps to navigate them through good times and bad. We advise on topics such as managing businesses during lockdown, through to growth and future planning. Thanks to the tireless work of our Support Centre, who provide vital data and information, as well as technical support, our franchisees are reporting increased client loyalty and growth during the turbulent year of 2020. We are listed at No 21 in the Accountancy


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

Age ‘Top 50 + 50’, and we’re proud to be the largest UK brand focused on the small business market. We are also the largest accountancy franchise in the country. Most franchisees join us with a recognised accountancy qualification and have a mix of industry and practice backgrounds, or have held senior roles in finance. As the practice grows, a franchisee’s focus is on managing a team which delivers a first-class service to clients, working on the business rather than in it. Training & Support Uniquely, this is a true franchising partnership: Our franchisees own around 40% of the franchisor business, following a franchiseeassisted management buyout in 2014. This ensures long-term strategies have always had franchisee success at their heart. As you would expect from a business of this stature, comprehensive support is at the heart of the franchise model. The TaxAssist

support centre provides guidance on everything from growth strategy to technical support, as well as ongoing training for franchisees and their staff. Marketing and business development are key components of the support on offer. Our proven service for generating leads delivers the right prospects to grow a franchisee’s fee bank. Meanwhile, a personalised, responsive website and digital marketing campaigns increase visibility locally. The Training Academy provides bespoke technical support for franchisees and their team, ensuring each franchise remains the local market leader, while operating to the highest professional standards. The Support Centre team of experts also research and recommend a best-in-class software suite for its network, enabling increased efficiencies and the development of even stronger relationships with clients.

These are advantages you simply could not achieve by operating independently. The result is that many franchisees open and operate multiple shops within their territory. TaxAssist Accountants are hugely popular with small businesses, which enjoy a friendly, convenient local service that is backed by a large and recognised brand. Financials Our franchise fee is £39,950, plus VAT, with the total investment required depending on location, working capital and level of personal drawings required. TaxAssist works closely with new franchisees throughout the business planning process to establish the right level of investment. The major banks fully support our franchise model and will typically lend up to 70% of the total investment required, subject to status. And when a franchisee is ready to sell their practice, help is provided to achieve maximum value. On many occasions, businesses are sold at prices in excess of industry norms.

taxassistfranchise.co.uk

117


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

11 N U M B E R

EST.

1991 (UK) N U MBE R OF FRAN CH ISE S

194 SECTOR

Retail IN VE STME N T LE VE L

ÂŁ39,000 +

Cash Converters 118

Cash Converters not only look after their franchisees, but also their loyal customers who rely heavily on its much-needed services. The 36-year-old global business is ranked 11th, one spot higher than last year

C

ash Converters was founded in Australia in 1984 and opened its first UK store seven years later. It is now represented in 18 countries worldwide with over 700 stores, including 194 in the UK. All of its UK stores are managed through a franchise network.

Access for all Cash Converters is a brand that prides itself on delivering value for money and access to products and services across levels of the community. The business provides customers with the opportunity to buy second-hand products, sell unwanted goods, and also offers pawn broking and financial loans. Products can also be purchased with the cost spread over a fixed period, which will help customers to access goods when needed. Since the first UK franchisee came on board 29 years ago, the franchise network has grown to 54.


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

Building businesses together Cash Converters provides a clear business model for all of its franchisees, including a business plan framework, marketing guidance and a store opening pathway. All of this helps to create and sustain a business during its early years and to drive revenue and customer footfall. In CCUK’s business model, new and existing franchisees are provided with sales and marketing collateral, business development advice, extensive training and technical support on IT and compliance. As part of this commitment, Cash Converters have developed an extensive online learning platform called The HUB, which delivers consistent training programmes to keep employees and franchise holders at the forefront of modern thinking and best practice. This new HUB has proved to be an indispensable tool for communication during the coronavirus pandemic. The pandemic also saw CCUK’s field team develop and roll out a Coronavirus store guide. This covered both regulatory and safety issues within stores, and also shared best practice across the network. The guide was constantly developed and updated as Government guidance changed and ensured a consistent approach across the entire network.

A success story in the face of a pandemic Against a backdrop of retail pressures faced by the nation’s high street this year, Cash Converters has continued to focus on its key growth area – online buying and selling. This has meant that, despite the challenges faced by all high street retailers, Cash Converters has continued to attract and retain both franchisees and customers. With more new store openings in the pipeline for 2021, Cash Converters has faced the challenges of the current pandemic head on, and is continuing to flourish. CEO Peter Hall says: “We’ve worked harder than ever to support our franchise community, but also the people who choose to use our services. That’s why we’ve also

committed to support charities and foundations in our local areas, and I would urge any business leader to do the same – particularly during a time of such financial hardship for so many.” As an example, Cash Converters teamed up with a northwest charity to support those facing hardship because of the Coronavirus pandemic. Cash Converters donated laptops to local schools, to aid children whose family homes didn’t have access to a computer. Many stores donated essential items to a homeless exveteran who had just been granted accommodation. Ambitions for growth Despite the economic pressures from this year, Cash Converters continues to focus on executing its ambitious plan to expand the business by increasing footfall in stores, driving revenue through its online e-commerce platform and further enhancing its brand on the high street. Cash Converters is the biggest second-hand retailer in the world and has sites all over the country, so investing in innovation across key areas of the business is critical.

cashconverters.co.uk

119


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

R

Ken Allison and team, Revive! Waltham Abbey.

10 N U M B E R

Revive!

EST.

2004 N U MBE R OF FRAN CH ISE S

60 SECTOR

Automotive IN VE STME N T LE VE L

£32,000

Revive your career and battle back from the financial destruction caused by Covid by taking on a franchise with our No 10 Revive!, one of the best kept secrets in the world of business 120

evive! is an award-winning franchise, offering a tried and tested route to building a successful multi-van business. Business support is where we excel and we are proud to have won multiple awards for our franchise model and the extensive support we offer. We identified that the automotive ‘SMART’ repair sector had huge potential for growth, due to a number of factors, including improvements in technical capability and the rise in consumer preference to buy vehicles on finance packages. This has led to more car owners having vehicles which are new or nearly new, which are required to be handed back in pristine condition to avoid penalties. At the same time, dealership groups have been consolidating. These new, larger groups have been looking for national partners to carry out the work needed to have cars available for sale. Very few of our competitors can provide the detailed management information major dealerships require, or the associated centralised invoicing. But thanks to the Revive! industry leading app, we are working with many of the top dealer groups. We invested heavily in technology to make sure we have the right tools to keep Revive! at the top of our game. Our Revive! app enables franchisees to run their businesses effectively on a paper-free


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

Mike and Liz Haselden, Revive! Chester franchisees.

basis. It was fully developed inhouse to automate and streamline the whole process including invoicing. Everything is integrated with our IT systems and we have worked alongside many of our large national account clients to ensure their customers receive a seamless car repair solution. Our franchise offering has been completely overhauled to meet the needs of our growing business and to ensure we are able to recruit the best applicants. This has enabled our biggest-ever resale to compete for a 10-van business last year and another multi-van resale this year.

We believe a successful business launch is a key ingredient in getting the business off to a flying start. We provide marketing support and technician induction training to support the launch. Our practical training helps franchisees approach new customers and guides them through the sales processes to ensure that business is booked in immediately. New franchisees have scheduled training courses for their first year, covering the key areas driving the business, including sales and marketing, finance, leadership, recruitment and retention. Our accelerated business planning

programme provides top-level development as an ongoing part of the support unlocked by franchisees as they grow. The year 2020 brought unforeseen challenges and when the Covid-19 pandemic hit, our entire business had to close during the first lockdown. To help our franchisees, we immediately suspended all royalties/charges and focused on paying national account monies to maintain cash flow. We held weekly online meetings to keep spirits high. We assisted franchisees with furlough, grants and CBILs applications. Extra training was provided during lockdown covering a range of subjects and safe working practices piloted so we could get back to work in May. Franchisee Natalie said: “It was very frightening going into lockdown, but support from Revive! UK was invaluable, from sorting out all our furlough claims, providing training and keeping us all informed through regular Zoom calls. I can’t imagine what it would have been like to be an independent business at this time.� We came back strongly postlockdown and franchisees have set new sales records over the following months, giving us a strong platform for 2021 and beyond. If you are ready to take control of your future, then contact us now to find out more or download our prospectus via our website below.

Revive! Trafford franchisees, Natalie and Dan Normanton with their team of technicians.

revivefranchise.com

121


9

N U M B E R

ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

E ST.

1979 NUM B E R O F F R A N C HI S E S

118 SEC TO R

Automotive I NV E STM E N T L E VE L

£30,000

Autosmart Posting its highest-ever position of 9th in the Elite Franchise top 100 is Autosmart, a great British success story which continues to satisfy its expanding customer base while helping business partners achieve their own personal goals 122

A

utosmart was established over 40 years ago by a husband and wife team who saw the success of franchising in America and wanted to use this business format to distribute vehicle-cleaning products. They were keen to create ‘shops on wheels,’ which they would call mobile showrooms. From these small beginnings, the company grew steadily from a handful of Midlands-based franchisees into an international marketleading brand. Today, Autosmart manufacture over 300 professional vehicle and hygiene cleaning products at our factory in Staffordshire, which are then distributed by a network of 119 franchisees in the UK. There are a further 100 franchisees internationally and numerous agents in countries from Iceland to Trinidad and Tobago. Autosmart franchisees provide a range of cleaning products for keeping premises, vehicle fleets, staff and customers safe and clean. The £3bn market place is vast and includes the following: Car dealerships, ambulance services, haulage, transportation, vehicle rental companies, body shops, agricultural dealers, coach


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

and bus operators, plant hire, as well as construction and food processors. All of these businesses rely on our products; they benefit by buying in bulk and consider us a trusted supplier and partner. One of our longest standing customers, Eddie Stobart, the UK’s best known haulier, have trusted us to clean their entire fleet of vehicles since 1979. The year 2020 has been challenging for all businesses and Autosmart is no exception. Having previously been through three UK recessions, we have been able to draw on our experiences to successfully support our franchise owners grow their sales during economic downturns. As the pandemic took hold in the UK, we made sure that our business partners had all the tools and knowledge they needed to come out the other side thriving. Our production efforts were channelled into producing key products to ensure essential businesses have access to powerful hygiene merchandise. These included hand washing, surface cleaning, disinfectant and antibacterial items. The products we focused on played a huge part in the fight against Covid-19 and have come to form our “Clean it, Disinfect it, Kill it” campaign. Our franchisees have remained open to ensure that these products were available for those businesses that needed them. Franchisees who join our network today, take the

reins on an established business with a repeat-round of customers, which provide them with income from day one. They typically grow their turnover by 33% during the first year, illustrating there is still a vast scope for growth and expansion in this sector. For franchisees, their profits are 100% their own, as we do not charge royalties or management fees. Autosmart franchisees are at the centre of a support infrastructure, which is in place to help them succeed. Even before they start trading, they will meet with their Business Manager to complete a booklet called ‘Passport to Success’, discussing personal dreams and goals. They will attend a five-day induction course at head office, where they will learn basic product and sales skills, as well as an insight into the market place. A National Account team works with the franchisee to secure large accounts in their local area. In a world of online ordering that lacks human interaction, Autosmart is well known for focusing on customers. These customers are visited by an expert who shows them how to make our concentrated cleaning products last longer. This resonates with businesses that are looking to keep costs down. Simply put, Autosmart franchisees are friendly local business owners, on hand to provide quality cleaning products and world-class expertise. Franchisees come from many different backgrounds. But what they have in common is a will to win, determination, plenty of enthusiasm, plus an appetite for hard work.

autosmart.co.uk

123


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

8 N U M B E R

Bluebird Care

Moving from 16th to 8th in the Elite Franchise top 100 is Bluebird Care, a company which prides itself on pushing the boundaries, so they can remain at the top of their game in the private home care market 124

EST.

2004 N U MBE R OF FRAN CH ISE S

231 SECTOR

Homecare IN VE STME N T LE VE L

ÂŁ115,000


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

B

luebird Care is a brand that prides itself on delivering high-quality home care to some of the most vulnerable people in the country. It started out as a small family business in 2004 and has grown to be today’s market leader of private home care services across the UK. With a network of over 200 franchisees across Great Britain and Ireland, many are achieving six figure turnovers and are expanding through the purchase of multiple territories. Bluebird Cares multi-revenue management model enables franchisees to diversify their service offerings through a brand that is recognised for outstanding care and enhancing the overall customer experience and enjoyment using innovative techniques. The Franchise Support Centre has been continuously recognised throughout 2020 for its robust support, most recently securing the Gold Award for 'Outstanding Franchise Marketing' at the Approved Franchise Association (AFA) Awards. This award highlighted the company’s excellence in marketing activities. This is great news for anyone considering a franchise as it offers confidence that the marketing initiatives available are tried, trusted and proven to deliver. In March 2020, the Franchise Support Centre won the Team Support Expertise Award, reflecting the

impressive total of 300 years of combined industry experience that Bluebird Care’s support team now have. To ensure their expertise is replicated throughout Bluebird Care’s network, the company launched their own Training Academy, which consists of several CPD accredited courses aimed at giving team members the opportunity to further develop their skills in customer care, customer service, finance, as well as first aid. Their commitment to quality has played an important role in Bluebird’s success. Bluebird understands the importance of giving a person independence, stability and flexibility, and takes great pride in supporting people to remain in the comfort of their own homes. Their teams provide vital care and support, as well as promoting the building of relationships, while sharing experiences with clients. As a result, they have been celebrated by the

following: Home Care Awards, workingmums.co.uk Top Franchise Awards and homecare.co.uk Top 20 Home Care Provider Awards. Focusing on positive outcomes, Bluebird Care continues to challenge the boundaries of traditional health care, using technology aimed at reducing risk, improving operational efficiency, and bridging the gap between health and social care. Their ground-breaking app makes critical information available to care teams, which provide front line care and support to customers in their own homes. Team members have access to our policies and procedures, care documents and can also connect with a family member. Real-time information is being shared constantly, such as changes to medicine or a care plan. The unique Health and Wellbeing Checks that they offer to clients can spot early signs of decline in a person’s physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. It involves a 30-minute visit from a professional care champion who will track key vital signs, alerting clients, family members and key healthcare professionals. By detecting early signs of decline, it reduces the necessity of a customer needing hospital attention or treatment. Despite the significant challenges presented by the pandemic in 2020, Bluebird Care has continued to push the boundaries to maintain their position at the forefront of the private home care market. The future will see a continued focus on the social care sector and significant growth is forecasted, so there’s never been a better time to take a closer look at a franchise investment opportunity with Bluebird Care.

bluebirdcarefranchise.co.uk

125


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

7 N U M B E R

ActionCOACH If you're awarded a Territory, with No 7 franchise ActionCOACH, you won’t just be joining a national success story, but a global franchise giant whose services are needed now more than ever

T

o say ActionCOACH has had a successful year would be an understatement. In the last 12 months, they’ve been the saving grace for thousands of business owners as they tackle business concerns linked to the pandemic, alongside welcoming a staggering 31 new faces to their ever-growing UK network. ActionCOACH ended the year as one of only four franchises to receive a 5-Star Franchisee Satisfaction rating eight years in a row. With another stellar year under their belts, the UK's No 1 business-tobusiness franchise is preparing to kick the New Year off with a bang.

126

EST.

1993 Australia, 2001 UK N U MBE R OF FRAN CH ISE S

200+ SECTOR

B2B, Consulting, Training, Coaching IN VE STME N T LE VE L

£69,000

Getting a flying start with your franchise By making the choice to become a franchise partner, you’ll be invited into a world of knowledge and experience. Since its inception in Australia in 1993, the network has seen impressive growth across 80 countries, giving new coaches the opportunity to follow in their predecessors’ footsteps towards greatness. Incredibly, in 2020, the UK was ranked the No 1 country for the 12th consecutive year, based on average income per coach and net growth of the coaching team. The exclusive UK Firm Builder licence gives you access to 10,000 potential clients within your territory. And you and your team will receive worldclass training with global, national and local support every step of the way. Your journey begins by attending ActionCOACH University – an intensive 10-day training


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

programme equipping new franchise partners with all the business know-how to get off to a flying start. This is where the foundations of ActionCOACH are taught, including the nine businessbuilding systems and the 344 profit building strategies, plus thoughtprovoking presentations from industry-leaders to inspire those about to embark on their business coaching journey. Harnessing your potential Upon graduating from ActionCOACH University, the UK support team will get to work on building and distributing your initial marketing campaign ahead of your attendance at ‘Step Up Week’. This week gives you hands-on experience of how to follow up and turn prospects into clients, while the weekly webinars, seminars and training gives you the skills and

motivation needed to achieve your potential. That’s not to mention the advice that comes from bimonthly masterclasses, quarterly regional planning days and quarterly conferences, which are all in place to give coaches the best opportunity for success. Believing in you ActionCOACH understands how effective business coaching is, so they pay for your very own Master Coach providing weekly support for the lifetime of your partnership with the franchise. They review KPIs and variances to your business, identifying areas for more learning, investment or activity. They have proved to be beneficial time and time again for franchise partners to master every facet of their business, while personally mentoring them through their challenges and opportunities.

While the pandemic has thrown many things into chaos, the level of support has increased. And, even better, they’ve seen record numbers: Ian Harford attended ActionCOACH University in July, and achieved a record-breaking client monthly income of £36,500 the following month, setting a new benchmark for future franchise partners. Delivering peace of mind in these troubled times It’s been proven historically that the ActionCOACH franchise is recession proof and we now know that it’s pandemic proof too. Despite the challenges 2020 has thrown at us, Action Coaches have continued to operate and serve their local communities, delivering a guaranteed return on investment for their business clients. There were huge increases in the number of client meetings taking place during the pandemic, which is proof that business owners need ActionCOACH’s critical business growth services more than ever. In October 2020, 16 new faces graduated from ActionCOACH University. Have you got what it takes to be in the class of 2021?

actioncoach.co.uk/overview

127


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

6 N U M B E R

Snap-on

Snap-on, at No 6, is globally one hundred years young and still provides a quality service to the automotive industry, with more than 400 franchisees in Great Britain and Ireland alone

S

nap-on is the world’s number one professional tool brand. We are a leading global manufacturer and distributor of tools for the automotive, marine, railroad and engineering technician. Our franchisees sell the most sought after tools in the industry, delivering outstanding customer service to technicians from their very own showroom on wheels. We were founded in the United States in 1920 and launched in the United Kingdom 45 years later, so we’re proudly celebrating 100 years in business. Our proven franchise model has been continually refined in the UK and there’s a reason why we’re known as the ‘best in the business.’ Today, we have over 400 franchisees operating territories in Great Britain and Ireland, while globally our vast network is more than 6,000.

E ST.

1920 N U MB ER OF FRANCH IS ES

400+ SECTOR

Automotive IN VE STM ENT LEV EL

£11,588

128


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

Many franchisees join us with little or no experience of the tool trade, and most have never run a business before. That’s not a problem. Our no-nonsense training and support programmes equip franchisees with the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to make a success of their business. Then it’s down to hard work and determination to reach their potential. As a result, our franchisees have average sales of over £7k per week and, what’s more, there are no percentagebased royalty fees to pay. Some franchisees have run their own Snap-on business for over 30 years. Others have branched out to manage multi-unit territories of two, three and even four vans, while employing assistants to manage additional routes. Whatever their vision, we’re passionate about helping our franchisees to achieve it. We pride ourselves on the training and support we offer our network. Training starts with 10 days of classroom-style training where new franchisees learn how to run

a successful Snap-on franchise. Then, it’s time to collect their custom-built mobile store and meet the team who will support them on a daily basis. As part of our six-month intensive process franchisees have a dedicated ‘franchise developer’ to work with during the first six weeks. These ‘developers’ will accompany the new business owner into every garage and help them to put their training knowledge into practise. Franchisees then receive a further 31 days of on-van support from a Sales Developer and Business Manager, over the next five months. There are also 200 industry experts, technicians and customer services professionals, based at our state-of-the-art headquarters in Kettering, who are only ever a phone call away. We hold monthly and quarterly franchisee forums for training, new product launches and sharing ideas. We hold an annual conference and our legendary tool show. We also have a National Franchisee Advisory Council and dedicated head office support line.

During 2019, we won two highlycoveted Queen’s Awards for Enterprise. Our very own Craig Bishop, who runs his franchise across North Dorset, was named the bfa’s ‘Young Male Franchisee of the Year. Craig admitted: “Winning newcomer of the year has been the highlight of my career and I’m determined to keep going. I’m driven to be the best and to provide a great lifestyle for my family that includes a big house and a nice car – and I’m not ashamed to say so. I want to be able to look back in a few years’ time and say, ‘that’s mine, I built that’.” At Snap-on, there’s no such thing as a ‘man in a van.’ When you join Snap-on, you become part of our team. We’re here to offer all the support and guidance needed so that our franchisees can achieve their goals.

snaponfranchise.co.uk

129


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

5 N U M B E R

Driver Hire

Searching for a franchise with a long history of success? Then check out Driver Hire, a multi-million pound business which remains one of the most respected brands within the franchise industry and is our No 5 as we head into 2021 E ST.

1983 NU M B E R O F F RA N C H I S E S

85 S EC TO R

Recruitment I NV E STM E N T LE VE L

From £32,000

130

D

river Hire is the UK’s largest specialist supplier of logistics staff, with over 100 offices nationwide. Their story began in 1983, when the first Driver Hire office opened in West Yorkshire, supplying temporary drivers to local transport firms. Four years later the first franchised office was opened. Franchisees run a recruitment business within their own postcode defined territory, supplying temporary and permanent drivers, as well as logistics and non-logistical staff, to local and national businesses which operate commercial vehicles. It’s a £1m and more opportunity The Recruitment & Employment Confederation reported that turnover in the UK recruitment industry had reached £38.9 billion during 2018/19. Therefore, an opportunity to run a successful Driver Hire franchise is huge – especially given that flexible labour is vital for most logistics operations. Companies require temporary labour for various reasons. These include seasonal peaks (such as parcel deliveries pre-Christmas), holidays and sickness cover. This translates into success for Driver Hire’s franchisees. The average turnover for a single Driver Hire franchise unit, during 2019/20, was £1,049,460. This is close to three times larger than the franchise industry average of £400k (bfa NatWest survey). More importantly for franchisees, average Driver Hire profits are over £130k per annum.


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

So why is this business different to others in the sector? Richard Bradshaw (Guilford franchisee) says: “None of my local competitors are franchised and I firmly believe this gives me an edge. My clients benefit from dealing with a locally ownedoperated business, supported by a nationwide brand.” Role of the franchisee You will manage your recruitment business from an office, typically with between one and four members of staff to help. The primary focus of your business is to recruit good candidates, and engage with local companies, who will contact you when they require additional staff. It’s a fast-paced environment, where good service and sales activities are paramount. Training and support Driver Hire’s 33 years of franchising experience has helped develop an excellent understanding of how to support their business partners. Support and training begin long before franchisees open for business. There are four to six weeks of pre-start training, which continues via its Franchisee Support Programme (a further 6 months). Every franchisee is supported by an Area Manager who regularly visits their office and actively helps them to grow their business. For example,

the Area Manager will attend customer sales meetings and help them to win new customers. Jayne-Anne O’Flynn (Grimsby) says: “There is no doubt that being part of such a strong team is incredibly important, especially during difficult times like these. Every department within Driver Hire is excellent in supporting franchisees.” Ground control With over 70 staff at the Bradford head office, franchisees can call on specialist support for assistance and advice on marketing, IT, compliance, HR, finance and franchise sales. Franchisees benefit from Driver Hire’s top notch IT system and an award-

winning website which helps generate candidates. In addition, Driver Hire’s national accounts team delivers significant business for franchisees, generating approximately 20% of the network’s turnover. Peer support between franchisees is actively encouraged, and is boosted by regular regional meetings, an annual conference, and an online forum. Ideal franchisee Driver Hire franchisees reflect a wide spectrum of backgrounds. Many had not previously operated a business, or worked in the recruitment or transport sectors. Running a successful recruitment business requires excellent people skills, so a strong customer service background is essential. In addition, you will need to be sales-focused, organised and dedicated. Driver Hire can provide the necessary training to fill any gaps. Franchisor of the Year 2019 Driver Hire was named ‘Franchisor of the Year’ at the 2019 bfa awards. Driver Hire has won an award in this category six times, and has been a finalist in 13 of the last 15 years.

driverhirefranchise.co.uk

131


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

4 N U M B E R

Subway

Subway remain one of the high flyers of the franchising world, which is reflected in its No 4 ranking in the Elite Franchise top 100 list for 2021

I

n 1965, when Fred DeLuca borrowed $1,000 from a family friend to open a sandwich shop, he was merely setting up a business with the purpose of using its profits to fund his own college fees. Never did he dream that he was embarking on a successful franchise which, 55 years later, would be one of the biggest brands in the world. Their franchise story began when they noticed the popularity of the submarine sandwich, and they set themselves the task of opening 32 stores within 10 years. Realising they couldn’t meet their target alone, they researched the market and discovered the best way to reach their goal was to expand Subway as a franchise, giving others the chance to own their own little part of the brand. The first Subway franchise opened in the US in 1974, and the first UK store opened in Brighton 22 years later. There are now over 40,000 stores in 110 countries, all of which

132

are owned and operated by franchisees. Subway’s franchise owners’ hail from many different walks of life, all with their own story to tell, but all of whom share the attributes required to be a successful business owner. They are personable, can lead a team from the front, possess business acumen and are passionate about the Subway brand. As a people’s business, Subway is committed to helping franchise owners run successful stores in good locations, with first-class customer service and a sought-after menu. Subway franchisees work for themselves, within their local communities, but within a triedand-tested framework that offers world-class training and support. All new franchise owners attend a two-week training course at Subway’s UK and Ireland Support Centre in Cambridge before opening their own Subway store. During training, they learn all they

EST.

1974 N U MBE R OF FRAN CH ISE S

2600+ SECTOR

Food IN VE STME N T LE VE L

£86,000 £221,000

need to know about operating a Subway store and running their own business. Prospective franchise owners are required to complete 40 hours of in-store training, so they can demonstrate their newlylearned skills. On completion of training, a franchise owner is ready and equipped to confidently take on all that a Subway franchise involves. Will Bray, a multi-unit Subway franchisee with four stores in Bath, said: “The training was really good fun. I had a great group, many of whom were from different countries in Europe and we have stayed in


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

touch. It’s great to hear from them and learn about their experiences in their home countries. I’ve even had the chance to visit one of my fellow trainees in Amsterdam.” Subway has 20 business development offices in the UK and Ireland, and its team of business development agents are on hand to assist and mentor all franchise owners. This involves giving advice on site selection, leasing, design, construction, hands-on training, purchasing, operations, advertising and local store marketing. They also provide ongoing support after new franchisees have opened their

stores. Subway franchisee, Abhi Prakash, said: “There is a lot less risk with a Subway franchise compared to going it alone. The Business Development team are always on hand to answer any questions I have. They will help if something goes wrong or something happens unexpectedly that hadn’t previously been planned for. There is so much to learn, but you are never alone.” A Subway franchise is hugely rewarding. This is borne out by the fact that over 70% of new stores are opened by existing franchise owners. A franchise can offer

great flexibility, a better work-life balance, giving the owner the chance to be in control of their own destiny. With new and existing store opportunities available throughout the UK and Ireland, Subway is keen to hear from hard-working, entrepreneurial individuals who want to join one of the largest and most popular franchise brands.

subwayfranchising.com

133


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

3

EST.

N U M B E R

2003 N U MBE R OF FRAN CH ISE S

100+ SECTOR

Health & Fitness IN VE STME N T LE VE L

£120,000+

énergie Fitness

Third in the Elite Franchise top 100 is énergie Fitness, a company which prides itself on high-quality and low-cost, while remaining a champion of brand awareness in this particularly competitive business sector

é

nergie Fitness is an awardwinning franchisor that enables entrepreneurs to build a thriving business in the fast-growth health and fitness sector. Established in 2003, énergie is the longest established fitness franchisor in the UK, having received regular recognition for our approach to innovation and continuous improvements to our franchise model. This approach has seen énergie receive accolades, such as the Brand Awareness and Innovation awards, at the 2019 bfa Franchisor of the Year ceremony.

one of the most accessible and affordable membership schemes available. This enables our franchisees to attract the widest possible range of members, from savvy gym users to first timers, as well as everyone in-between. Where we excel as a brand, is in the delivery of world-class service and a fair, transparent layered membership offer. This ensures our gyms provide incredible value and fantastic flexibility. This sets énergie apart and establishes the brand as a ‘high-service and low-cost’ business.

A unique space in the market The health and fitness sector has experienced positive growth over the past 10 years. All of the key industry reports and statistics show that it is the affordable, lowcost sector of the market that is responsible for driving this growth. Uniquely, énergie is the only fitness franchisor to operate in the low-cost or budget sector, offering

Stats don't lie Our approach to providing world-class service is delivered through our signature training programme called ‘Take the Stage’. This programme provides new énergie teams with the necessary hospitality skills to deliver an amazing service for members. It's a winning formula, especially when combined with a great

134

environment, top-quality gym equipment and access to the latest smart technology. It's also one of the reasons why we're the top-rated gym brand in the UK on Trustpilot with a rating of ‘Excellent’ and a TrustScore of 4.5/5, based on more than 7,000 verified reviews. A franchise at the forefront of the industry Our key focus is to add value to the membership by improving our franchisees’ operating model. This year, we have worked on further enhancing our twotier membership offer with the introduction of a third tier based on the concept of omnichannel. We have recognised how the pandemic has changed the game for the fitness industry.


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

This omnichannel membership combines a traditional in-gym, online and outdoors offer. This gives members’ increased flexibility on where they choose to train, with research indicating that this will be crucial in the future. The three-tier membership not only adds extra value to our membership offer, but also significantly improves the membership yield, adding to our franchisees’ bottom line. Taking franchise support to a whole new level énergie franchisees receive training and support in every aspect of running the business. Our 12-module training programme mixes class-based sessions with live in-club training. New franchisees also work with experienced franchisees on the ground. Once operational, franchisees are supported by our operations team with regular performance management, regional meetings and an extensive on-going calendar of training. The latest introduction to our franchise model is the énergie Mastermind Programme, which takes the traditional concept of franchise support to a new level. Through the Mastermind programme, franchisees will be working directly with the énergie Mastermind team to build their business to its maximum value. énergie's Mastermind team have built their own businesses and sold them on for multiple millions, while helping others to do the same. When franchisees join the programme, they'll be part of a community which works towards the same goal of achieving maximum value for their business, while also creating a lifestyle and legacy to be proud of.

energiefranchise.com

135


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

2 N U M B E R

136

InXpress

With No 2 franchise InXpress you can enjoy the perfect flexible business that allows you to work from home – and not just during lockdown. Thanks to the company’s IT-enabled model all you need is a phone, a laptop and internet access


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

EST.

1999 Long history InXpress is a global express logistics business with almost 400 franchisees across 14 countries, providing consultative services and innovative software to SMEs. Founded in 1999, InXpress has a long history of managing successful businesses around the world. For all new business partners, they provide top-class training and support, while helping franchisees to run a sales and business management franchise. Essential service Courier services helped to keep the economy going during the pandemic and our franchisees have continued to operate as usual throughout this. As well as supporting existing customers, they have continued to attract new businesses, some of which have adjusted their business model by selling online or direct to consumers for the first time. Role of a franchisee As InXpress has already established strong and lasting relationships with trusted courier partners, you can concentrate on building sales and working towards your goals. The carriers collect, transport and deliver pre-booked consignments. All you need to do is find SMEs who regularly ship items and then ensure that these shipments are safely delivered on time. No experience is necessary to become an InXpress franchisee. All you need is to be sales-oriented and have an aptitude for business. An expanding industry Even before the pandemic, the online retail industry was expanding at an incredibly fast rate. The Office of National Statistics reported how UK e-commerce sales for 2018, totalled £688bn – which was an

NUM BE R OF F R ANCH ISE S

102 UK, 380 Globally SECTOR

Distribution solutions I NV ESTME N T LEVE L

£35,000

18% increase on the previous year. This huge increase of an already booming sector translates into rapid growth of the courier sector. InXpress are uniquely positioned to service the online retail market. Businesses across more than 1,000 industries – from manufacturers to fine art dealers – are customers of InXpress. In fact, during 2019, a parcel was sent through InXpress every six seconds. Businesses don’t just ship once with InXpress – they keep coming back for more. They save time, money and hassle. InXpress franchisees are in the business of building long-term people-topeople relationships with their customers. By building a loyal customer base, they build a solid business. Industry leading technology InXpress’s online portal has been developed over 21 years and provides insight into what customers really need. The company’s powerful proprietary software combines an automated shipping platform, a franchisee business management programme and a performance tool. This helps customers of InXpress to save hours on their shipping and it empowers our franchisees too. Innovative training and support InXpress remains ahead of the competition with their

comprehensive training and support. There is an initial twoweek training course at head office, or virtually if necessary, and all budding franchisees enjoy access to an online university. There is a network of established franchisees, along with regular video calls and visits from the support team. You will have everything you need throughout the lifetime of your franchise. We know that your success also depends on how well your team sells your services. When you decide to employ staff, we provide a framework for you to train and retain the best people for your business. Are you the next InXpress franchisee? If you are sales-minded, driven and enthusiastic, then an InXpress franchise model could be for you. With the freedom to build your franchise the way you want, you can start out alone and progress to premises and a workforce. Alternatively, you can go all-in and have a team and offices right from the start. Whatever path you choose, InXpress can give you the flexibility and lifestyle you have been looking for.

gb.inxpress.com

137


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

1 N U M B E R

HOME INSTEAD SENIOR CARE

138


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

139


N U M B E R

ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

1

For the third time in four years, the prestigious No 1 ranking in the Elite Franchise top 100 goes to Home Instead whose continual innovation is the key to their success

Home Instead H Senior Care

ome Instead Senior Care is the pioneering market leader in the provision of relationship-led care for older people, dedicated to helping them to continue living in their own homes. It’s an awardwinning franchise, due to the success of its network of over 224 franchise offices and their teams of caregivers. An ageing population means there are high levels of demand for home care and with the highlight being very much on older people during 2020, providing safe, responsive and much needed home care has never been more important. The company has underlined its commitment to providing on-going care for their clients, and support for their franchise offices, throughout 2020. A Covid-19 taskforce was set up at the start of the pandemic to ensure that the company was able to share the latest developments, government advice and guidance.

140


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

Home Instead also stepped up their extensive franchise owner and employee wellbeing programme, which provided 24/7 access to qualified counsellors as well as providing practical advice. Throughout this difficult time, Home Instead continued to pursue excellence by developing technology solutions that are designed to complement and enhance home care. For instance, it recently launched the social care sector’s first Digital Health Library and tablet scheme through its partnership with the Organisation for the Review of Care and Health Apps (ORCHA). Also, in 2020, Home Instead acquired ‘SuperCarers’ as part of their ambitious plans to extend its ‘live-in’ care offering for franchise owners. This enables more elderly people to be cared for at home. Martin Jones, CEO of Home Instead UK, said: “Home is the place people feel happiest and most secure, and our services can support that. We know from our research that 98% of over 65s say it’s important to them that they stay living independently in their own home. This can be from early stage care, which might only involve using technology to stay in touch with an older person to ensure they are safe, right through to more support around personal

EST.

2005 N U MBE R OF FRAN CH ISE S

224 SECTOR

Homecare IN VE STME N T LE VE L

£100,000

care, home help, and then eventually live-in care and palliative care.” As part of their commitment of continued improvement for all, Home Instead has formed a new partnership with the University of York. This involves launching a new, three-year programme of high impact research into home care for older people. The franchise hopes that this will contribute to the national debate relating to older people’s health and wellbeing. Both the franchise’s high level of care and contribution to the franchise sector has led to multiple awards. For the past four years, it has been in the top two franchises in Elite Franchise’s Top 100 list. It is also the most recommended home care company in the Top 20 Home Care Groups UK awards. For this they are particularly proud, as these recommendations are based directly on reviews from clients and families. Home Instead has been rated ‘outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) more times than any other care provider. It is the only care company to have received the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in the Innovation category, and has twice been presented with Princess Royal Training Awards for their ‘end of life’ and ‘dementia’ caregiver training. This shows that Home Instead remains committed to delivering only the very best care for their clients. This is a franchise that cares about support, cares about training, cares about success and cares about care. Home Instead was launched in the UK in 2005, and is now a highly successful, mature network with both new and resale territories available.

homeinstead.co.uk/franchise

141


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

The official website for the bfa-supported franchise exhibitions

Book Free Tickets

Visit FranchiseInfo.co.uk for the dates of upcoming Franchise Exhibitions!

The source of UK franchising information Search the huge range of premium franchise opportunities Access free legal, financial & professional advice from industry experts The official website for the bfa-supported franchise exhibitions Sign up to the FranMail newsletter for the latest franchise opportunities XX


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

PUT YOUR FRANCHISEES IN THE SPOTLIGHT Proven formula gets franchisees off the ground with media coverage

Quality brand exposure to put your franchisee in the spotlight

S IONY T T ELA TEG ENTNS EN IA R TRAONTT IO T S N D LA CO ME GY NT C E R E IA ATONTE D R ST C METEGYENT S S RA NT ON ION ST COLATIEGY NT T RE RAT NTEIONS ELA A R I ST COLAT ED DIA M E RE M A I D ME

Development of story ideas and unique pitch angles to get your franchisee noticed

Build valuable relationships with the right local and regional media contacts

Increase customer awareness and franchisee satisfaction.

Let us help you take your franchisees to the next level with a robust PR strategy designed to drive awareness and support business growth. We work directly with franchisees for a truly personal service.

Our grand opening and local PR packages are ideal for both B2B and B2C brands. Designed to kick-start a new franchisee’s business and boost customer traffic to specific locations.

MAXIMUM IMPACT FOR YOUR NETWORK, MINIMUM IMPACT ON YOUR TIME.

EVERY GOOD FRANCHISOR KNOWS THAT FRANCHISEE SUCCESS EQUALS FRANCHISOR SUCCESS.

Buy an existing franchise

lucy@revpr.co.uk www.revpr.co.uk

Foo d

nch

fran en’s

dr

ise

s

Fast Fran Food es chises anchis Pet fr

Search 100s of franchise resales now Visit bfsale.co.uk/eliteresales

e

chis

fra

Pizza ais ch ncehsise nfr a r f e e s Coff

Chil

rty Prope ise h c n a Fr

Fitness es franchis

143


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

Top 100 1 2 3

Home Instead Senior Care

InXpress

énergie Fitness

4

Subway

5

Driver Hire

6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 144

Snap-on Tools

ActionCOACH

Bluebird Care

Autosmart

Revive!

Cash Converters

TaxAssist Accountants

Molly Maid

Caremark

Tutor Doctor

138

136

134

132

130

128

126

124

122

120

118

116

114

112

110

16

Right at Home .............................. 106

58

Poppies Cleaning Service ......... 48

17

Belvoir! .......................................... 104

59

Turtle Tots ..................................... 48

18

CeX ................................................. 102

60

Pink Spaghetti ............................. 46

19

Dream Doors ............................... 100

61

Merry Maids ................................ 46

20

Anytime Fitness ........................... 98

62

The Alternative Board ............... 44

21

Vodafone ...................................... 96

63

Radfield Home Care .................. 42

22

ServiceMaster Clean .................. 94

64

Swimtime ..................................... 42

23

Bright & Beautiful ....................... 92

65

Kall Kwik ....................................... 41

24

Expense Reduction Analysts ..... 90

66

Husse UK ...................................... 40

25

Shuttercraft .................................. 88

67

Southern Fried Chicken ............ 40

26

Puddle Ducks .............................. 86

68

Razzamataz Theatre Schools ... 40

27

Pirtek ............................................. 84

69

GoCruise & Travel ....................... 39

28

The Creation Station .................. 82

70

Recognition Express ................... 38

29

Fantastic Services ....................... 81

71

Betterclean Services .................. 37

30

Monkey Music ............................. 80

72

Rhythm Time ................................ 37

31

Drain Doctor ................................ 78

73

Fun Fest ......................................... 36

32

Pepe’s Piri Piri .............................. 76

74

Pink Connect ............................... 35

33

Cafe2U .......................................... 74

75

Signs Express ............................... 34

34

Dublcheck Cleaning Services .. 72

76

ServiceMaster Restore .............. 34

35

Countrywide Grounds Maintenance ............................... 70

77

Triple Two Coffee ....................... 32

X-Press Legal Services .............. 68

78

Little Learners ............................. 31

36

Auntie Anne's ............................... 67

79

Lingotot ........................................ 30

37

Barking Mad UK ......................... 66

80

Diamond Home Support .......... 30

38

WPA Healthcare Practice ......... 65

81

TruGreen ...................................... 29

39

easyStorage ................................ 64

82

Just Shutters ................................ 28

40

Chopstix Noodle Bar ................. 64

83

Flip Out ......................................... 27

41

Heritage Healthcare ................. 63

84

Jackson Fire & Security .............. 26

42 43

Optic-Kleer.co.uk ........................ 62

85

The Holiday Franchise Company ..................................... 24

44

Granite & Trend Transformations .......................... 61

86

diddi dance .................................. 23

87

Headcase Barbers ...................... 22

88

GutterPRO .................................... 22

89

Boogie Beat ................................. 21

90

Wilkins Chimney Sweep ............ 21

91

Oltco .............................................. 20

92

Rosemary Bookkeeping ............ 20

93

DOR-2-DOR ................................ 19

94

Kidslingo ....................................... 18

95

Tidy Green Clean ....................... 18

96

FiltaFry .......................................... 17

97

ComputerXplorers ...................... 16

98

Furniture Medic ........................... 14

99

Techclean ..................................... 12

100

Friends for Pets ............................ 11

45

First Class Learning ................... 60

46

Ableworld ..................................... 59

47

Pitman Training .......................... 58

48

Maid2Clean Franchise .............. 56

49

Fastsigns International .............. 54

50

Really Awesome Coffee ............ 53

51

Mad Science Group ................... 53

52

Esquires Coffee ........................... 52

53

Sandler Training .......................... 52

54

Ovenu ............................................ 51

55

We Love Pets ............................... 50

56

Concept Building Solutions ...... 49

57

Debutots ....................................... 49


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

A-Z

Ableworld ..................................... 59 ActionCOACH .............................. 126 Anytime Fitness ........................... 98 Auntie Anne's ............................... 67 Autosmart...................................... 122

First Class Learning ................... 60 Flip Out ......................................... 27 Friends for Pets ............................ 11 Fun Fest ......................................... 36 Furniture Medic ........................... 14

Barking Mad UK ......................... 66 Belvoir! .......................................... 104 Betterclean Services .................. 37 Bluebird Care ............................... 124 Boogie Beat ................................. 21 Bright & Beautiful ....................... 92

GoCruise & Travel ....................... 39 Granite & Trend Transformations .......................... 61 GutterPRO .................................... 22

Cafe2U .......................................... 74 Caremark ..................................... 112 Cash Converters ......................... 118 CeX ................................................. 102 Chopstix Noodle Bar ................. 64 Company ..................................... 24 ComputerXplorers ...................... 16 Concept Building Solutions ...... 49 Countrywide Grounds Maintenance ............................... 70

Headcase Barbers ...................... 22 Heritage Healthcare ................. 63 Home Instead Senior Care ....... 138 Husse UK ...................................... 40 InXpress ......................................... 136 Jackson Fire & Security .............. 26 Just Shutters ................................ 28 Kall Kwik ....................................... 41 Kidslingo ....................................... 18

Debutots ....................................... 49 Diamond Home Support .......... 30 diddi dance .................................. 23 DOR-2-DOR ................................ 19 Drain Doctor ................................ 78 Dream Doors ............................... 100 Driver Hire .................................... 130 Dublcheck Cleaning Services .. 72

Lingotot ........................................ 30 Little Learners ............................. 31

easyStorage ................................ 64 énergie Fitness ............................ 134 Esquires Coffee ........................... 52 Expense Reduction Analysts ..... 90

Oltco .............................................. 20 Optic-Kleer.co.uk ........................ 62 Ovenu ............................................ 51

Fantastic Services ....................... 81 Fastsigns International .............. 54 FiltaFry .......................................... 17

Mad Science Group ................... 53 Maid2Clean Franchise .............. 56 Merry Maids ................................ 46 Molly Maid ................................... 114 Monkey Music ............................. 80

Pepe’s Piri Piri .............................. 76 Pink Connect ............................... 35 Pink Spaghetti ............................. 46 Pirtek ............................................. 84

Pitman Training .......................... 58 Poppies Cleaning Service ......... 48 Puddle Ducks .............................. 86 Radfield Home Care .................. 42 Razzamataz Theatre Schools.. 40 Really Awesome Coffee ............ 53 Recognition Express ................... 38 Revive! ........................................... 120 Rhythm Time ................................ 37 Right at Home .............................. 106 Rosemary Bookkeeping ............ 20 Sandler Training .......................... 52 ServiceMaster Clean .................. 94 ServiceMaster Restore .............. 34 Shuttercraft .................................. 88 Signs Express ............................... 34 Snap-o n Tools ............................. 128 Southern Fried Chicken ............ 40 Subway .......................................... 132 Swimtime ..................................... 42 TaxAssist Accountants ................ 116 Techclean ..................................... 12 The Alternative Board ............... 44 The Creation Station .................. 82 The Holiday Franchise Tidy Green Clean ....................... 18 Triple Two Coffee ....................... 32 TruGreen ...................................... 29 Turtle Tots ..................................... 48 Tutor Doctor ................................. 110 Vodafone ...................................... 96 We Love Pets ............................... 50 Wilkins Chimney Sweep ............ 21 WPA Healthcare Practice ......... 65

145


THE UK’S NO.1 LEADING PREMIUM CONFERENCE FOR SMEs

Left to right: Alana Spencer, BBC’s The Apprentice 2016 Winner, Jo Fairley, Green & Blacks Founder, Oli Barrett EBL Host, Start-Up Britain Founder

Eric Partaker, Entrepreneur of the Year 2019, Chilango Founder

Elite Business Live is the UK’s Premium Business Conference for fast track start-ups, SMEs and High Growth Business Owners. Hosting 1,000’s business leaders and successful entrepreneurs featuring the highest talent speakers of entrepreneurial Britain.


At Elite Business Live, everyday challenges and longer term strategies will be discussed, we will provide you with answers for both your pain points and help you cement in your mind your opportunities. Tackling crucial pain-points that most successful business leaders will experience during their entrepreneurial journey’s, we’ll be discussing:

COMMERCIAL BUSINESS GROWTH • Managing mindset: the importance of optimism and drive • Growth strategies: steering your business in a difficult climate

DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION • Acting with agility: how to adapt to customers’ evolving digital demands • Online experience: building reviews, trust scores and online services into your digital strategy

TALENT AND REGULATIONS • Wellbeing and mental health in the workplace: a new perspective • Managing communication: engagement and productivity alongside flexible working

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT • Financial health: short-term solutions vs long-term goals • Right move, right time: making the right decisions for your business

OVERSEAS EXPANSION • Growing your business without a global workforce • Understanding foreign markets: cultural, linguistic and legislative challenges

VIRTUAL REGISTRATION IS NOW FREE To register your interest and confirm your complimentary place, simply go to: elitebusinessevent.co.uk/register


ELITE FRANCHISE 100 - 2021

Build your network Find out how HSBC can connect you to franchise opportunities. Visit: www.business.hsbc.uk/franchising Or contact our Franchise team: Tel: 0121 455 3438* Email: franchiseunit@hsbc.com *Phone line is monitored 9am to 5pm, Mon to Fri (ex. Bank Holidays)

Together we thrive HSBC UK Bank plc. Registered in England & Wales with number 09928412. Registered Office: 1 Centenary Square, Birmingham, B1 1HQ, United Kingdom. Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Our Financial Services Register number is 765112. AC52440

XX


Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.