Launch into the future

By LINDA WHITNEY FOR MAILONLINE
Updated:

 

CHOOSING a franchise is not easy, and a franchise exhibition can be a big help. The British And International Franchise Exhibition at Olympia, London, on 1 and 2 April, can save you a lot of effort when it comes to research.

You can find out about more than 200 companies seeking new franchisees for businesses in sectors ranging from domestic services (Myhome), afterschool study (Kumon Educational), property letting (Surelet), furniture and fabrics retail (KA International), fitness (Energie Fitness Clubs) and many more.

You can also meet celebrity builder Tommy Walsh, of BBC's Ground Force, who will be launching aqua-lec, a new plumbing franchise aimed at plugging the gap left by the national plumber shortage. Like franchisees of its established sister company gas-elec, aqua-lec franchisees will provide maintenance and safety inspections before problems occur.

Other launches at the show include Home Suit Hire, which offers men the chance to choose and hire wedding suits from home, and Attiva, a franchised health club aimed at everyone regardless of size, age or ability.

As well as UK-based franchises, you can also meet franchisors from more than 40 countries, including Singapore, Finland, Italy, France and Romania, all seeking people to help them expand into the UK.

All the franchises on offer are accredited by the British Franchise Association (BFA), which will also be there to offer advice and information to aspiring franchisees. There are also two free Introduction To Franchising seminars daily where you can get live advice from a panel of BFA-accredited experts, franchisors and franchisees.

There is also business advice on offer at the free Growing Your Own Business (GYOB) exhibition and conference, which runs alongside the franchise show. And you can get more business tips from successful entrepreneurs such as speaker Martyn Dawes, founder of coffee company Coffee Nation, Paul Carvel of mail service Business Post and others including advisers from the Government-backed business advice service Business Link.

All GYOB visitors will be entered into a draw to win an iPod mini, and get a free trial of Business Builder software and services to manage your business and get customers.

There is a Business Advice Zone where you can meet business experts and other entrepreneurs. But Mark Abell, franchise law specialist from solicitors Field Fisher Waterhouse, offers this advice: 'A franchise is not an impulse buy. Take time to think and consult experts.

'Consider which sector will suit you, know how much you have to invest, and get as much information about franchises as you can. Check the company's latest credit rating (free) at Standard & Poor's website www.standardandpoors.com and get any contracts checked out by a franchise law specialists before signing.'

Signs of success

CAROL MORRIS and husband Steve, of Rotherham, South Yorkshire, went to the 2003 British Franchise Exhibition at Olympia. 'We wanted a franchise but had open minds about which sector,' says Carol, 55.

They gathered information from franchisors, the British Franchise Association stand and banks, and studied it carefully at home. 'The signs sector suited our backgrounds in manufacturing, printing and design so we investigated three signs franchises,' says Carol.

They visited the franchisors and asked to meet existing franchisees. 'Signs Express gave us a free hand to choose any franchisee to visit, which I thought showed they had nothing to hide. Choosing took us two or three months of research,' says Carol.

The couple have been running the Signs Express franchise for Sheffield from a Rotherham business park since February 2004 and are already beating their turnover targets. Signs Express is looking for more franchisees with £28,500 to invest.

Free business plan

SIX Daily Mail readers can take advantage of a free offer from accountants Brooks and Co, which has a stand at the Growing Your Own Business exhibition. 'We will prepare a detailed business plan, which normally costs £250, for your future business, live at the show,' says Peter Lusty of Brooks.

'You must bring along a basic budget with a rough idea of costs and turnover for your chosen franchise.' The free offer is limited to the first six readers to book in advance on 01342 317 789.

• TICKETS for the show are £8, or £7 for two-plus, in advance, or £13 on the door, from www.franinfo. co.uk or call 01280 707 433.

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