Business Forum - UK Business Labs Click to see Full Membership details_
Go Back   Business Forum - UK Business Labs > Business Talk > Franchising

Edit your Profile Find a Member Invite a Friend Social Groups The UKBL Business Directory (Register as a Free Member first)

ReplyBookmark and Share
 
LinkBack (1) Thread Tools
  1 links from elsewhere to this Post. Click to view. #1 (permalink)  
Old 30th July 2008, 09:00 PM
Emma's Avatar
Admin
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 947
Blog Entries: 1
Thanks: 123
Thanked 58 Times in 54 Posts
iTrader: (0)
Default Does anyone here run a franchise?

If so, we'd love to hear your tale. Was it wasy to get going? Expensive? Any disasters along the way?

Does anyone own a franchise? As above!
Bookmark and Share Reply With Quote
  #2 (permalink)  
Old 9th August 2008, 12:18 AM
Mat's Avatar
Mat Mat is offline
Lab Tech
Full Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Malvern, UK
Posts: 281
Thanks: 32
Thanked 18 Times in 15 Posts
iTrader: (0)
Send a message via MSN to Mat
Default

I'm also interested in hearing from franchisees about their experiences. I've always thought that if I were to venture outside my industry, I'd look to a franchise.
Bookmark and Share Reply With Quote
  #3 (permalink)  
Old 26th August 2008, 02:19 PM
Graduate
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Derby
Posts: 1
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
iTrader: (0)
Default

I haven't run a franchise myself before. But, my dad brought a Concept solutions franchise and it didn't work out. He lost over £40,000 and regrets thinking that Franchises are an 'easy' route to success.
Bookmark and Share Reply With Quote
  #4 (permalink)  
Old 26th August 2008, 02:42 PM
Emma's Avatar
Admin
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 947
Blog Entries: 1
Thanks: 123
Thanked 58 Times in 54 Posts
iTrader: (0)
Default

Thanks Matt. All I hear about is people not succeeding with franchises It's a shame.
Bookmark and Share Reply With Quote
  #5 (permalink)  
Old 22nd September 2008, 03:28 PM
John Botting's Avatar
Graduate
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Kent
Posts: 1
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
iTrader: (0)
Default

I ran a mobile dog grooming franchise 7 years ago, for 2 years. I made money at it, was very busy and sold it for nearly twice I paid for it. So I was successful.
__________________
John Botting - Credit Management Consultant
Bookmark and Share Reply With Quote
  #6 (permalink)  
Old 26th September 2008, 06:46 PM
yourlocaltrades's Avatar
Junior Lab Tech
Full Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Portsmouth
Posts: 103
Thanks: 9
Thanked 7 Times in 7 Posts
iTrader: (0)
Send a message via Skype™ to yourlocaltrades
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by John Botting View Post
I ran a mobile dog grooming franchise 7 years ago, for 2 years. I made money at it, was very busy and sold it for nearly twice I paid for it. So I was successful.
Alot are successful, but i think people are very quick to mention when it has gone in the other direction!

You couldn't fail with a franchise such as subway-could you?
__________________
Yourlocaltrades Ltd, Register free!
BARNEYBAGS Perfect for Rubble!
Tradesmens Network
Bookmark and Share Reply With Quote
  #7 (permalink)  
Old 17th October 2008, 11:12 PM
Dragon-Media-Group's Avatar
Junior Lab Tech
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Telford
Posts: 62
Thanks: 1
Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts
iTrader: (0)
Default

My understanding is that the point of a franchise is to offer instant recognition, Costa, Dominos Pizza etc with tried and tested business practices that work and a simple supply chain.
I can never work out why people buy into 'small' franchises - for example what made you pay money for a mobile dog grooming franchise rather than just start up yourself?
Bookmark and Share Reply With Quote
  #8 (permalink)  
Old 22nd October 2008, 10:21 PM
Trainee Lab Tech
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: glasgow
Posts: 37
Thanks: 0
Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts
iTrader: (0)
Default

have just started a franchise - self inking stamps but it is not like any franchise i know as i am able to use my own domain name and my own branding hence i bought promostamper. Not sure how it will go now that the markets are down but i liked the fact that the machine can do pictures - black and white of course - on the stamps useful for photography and crafters. the website i also created myself - i just have to buy the material from the franchisers
Bookmark and Share Reply With Quote
  #9 (permalink)  
Old 22nd October 2008, 11:20 PM
Dragon-Media-Group's Avatar
Junior Lab Tech
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Telford
Posts: 62
Thanks: 1
Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts
iTrader: (0)
Default

If you have not bought a business system and licensed a brand that isn't a franchise surely?
That sounds to me like a regular customer and supplier relationship?
What kind of market are you aiming for?
Bookmark and Share Reply With Quote
  #10 (permalink)  
Old 22nd October 2008, 11:29 PM
PI Guy's Avatar
Junior Lab Tech
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Surrey
Posts: 64
Thanks: 5
Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts
iTrader: (0)
Default

i'm hoping to franchise my biz before too long
__________________
UK Private Investigator
Bookmark and Share Reply With Quote
  #11 (permalink)  
Old 25th October 2008, 08:08 PM
Trainee Lab Tech
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: glasgow
Posts: 37
Thanks: 0
Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts
iTrader: (0)
Default

my target market is smes and crafters
Bookmark and Share Reply With Quote
  #12 (permalink)  
Old 7th November 2008, 08:21 PM
essex_courier's Avatar
Junior Lab Tech
Full Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Essex delivering throughout the UK
Posts: 141
Blog Entries: 25
Thanks: 3
Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts
iTrader: (0)
Send a message via Skype™ to essex_courier
Smile The franchise way for your existing business

i'm hoping to franchise my biz before too long

I can recommend a great guy who does this, if you are looking at franchising your own business out.

Send me a PM or email - Sarah@arrowlighthaulage.co.uk and I will send you the details

Sarah
Bookmark and Share Reply With Quote
  #13 (permalink)  
Old 15th November 2008, 08:16 PM
Emma's Avatar
Admin
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 947
Blog Entries: 1
Thanks: 123
Thanked 58 Times in 54 Posts
iTrader: (0)
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by PI Guy View Post
i'm hoping to franchise my biz before too long
Would this be a first? How many franchises are there in the security industry?
Bookmark and Share Reply With Quote
  #14 (permalink)  
Old 18th November 2008, 01:30 AM
Graduate
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 4
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
iTrader: (0)
Default

Maybe I will franchise my ideas. Who knows. There are far too many dodgy franchise scams in vending. My general advice is to stay away from a vending franchies unless you are 100% sure.
Bookmark and Share Reply With Quote
  #15 (permalink)  
Old 8th December 2008, 09:37 PM
Applicant
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Bromley, Kent
Posts: 5
Thanks: 0
Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts
iTrader: (0)
Send a message via Skype™ to UrsulaBarzey
Default Evaluating Franchise Brands

I run a franchise business and also provide providing free counsel and relevant education for investors considering franchise business ownership.

Critical to the success of any franchisee is to choose the right system. Thus it is important to spend a lot of time up front understanding and clarifying your motivation and reasons for exploring franchise business ownership.

And during the investigation of any franchise brand, it is important to make sure that you understand how the business model works, how it needs to be executed and then whether or not what is required will take you the candidate twoards your goals and dreams.

Thus this means not only talking to the franchisor, but also talking to a number of franchisees in the system. It also means putting emotions aside and making sure that you focus on the facts.

Far too often, people make a decision -- whether positive or negative -- about a franchise brand without doing a thorough investigation.
Bookmark and Share Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to UrsulaBarzey For This Useful Post:
Mark (9th December 2008)
  #16 (permalink)  
Old 17th December 2008, 11:15 AM
Applicant
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Belfast
Posts: 6
Thanks: 1
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
iTrader: (0)
Default

Hi,

I'm quite new here, very new, but I have some background in franchising.

I'm in the process of franchising part of my new business and am working hard to ensure I don't become a franchisor in the mould of the franchise I was previously involved with.

In hindsight I can see they were (and still are!) interested in selling franchises. Nothing wrong there, until you realise that they have not implemented any development in over 3 years, until you realise their development process was spearheaded by me the franchisee, until you relaise their corporate video was produced not by them but by me also. etc etc etc.

Be wary of the wolf dressed as a sheep!

Be sure if you're buying a franchise there is a model to run, not just a model to copy and if you float you float, and if you sink you sink. A model that is duplicatable without special skills (Eg sales, telesales) A marketing model that can be switched on at will, and where the marketing system does the work, not your ability to do it personally.

Sorry but thats meandering a little.

I'm currently ensuring that before we go live there is a marketing model that puts out standard results for standard inputs, so that( even dummies) who pay the fee, actually buy a SYSTEM to earn money, not a JOB.

Note the difference when you consider your next "franchise opportunity"
Bookmark and Share Reply With Quote
  #17 (permalink)  
Old 22nd January 2009, 12:14 PM
Applicant
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 6
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
iTrader: (0)
Default yellowtom

I know a guy who has launched yellowtom in Northern Ireland. It's hard work, but a great concept for advertising small businesses.
Bookmark and Share Reply With Quote
  #18 (permalink)  
Old 22nd January 2009, 12:22 PM
Mat's Avatar
Mat Mat is offline
Lab Tech
Full Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Malvern, UK
Posts: 281
Thanks: 32
Thanked 18 Times in 15 Posts
iTrader: (0)
Send a message via MSN to Mat
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by yourlocaltrades View Post
Alot are successful, but i think people are very quick to mention when it has gone in the other direction!

You couldn't fail with a franchise such as subway-could you?
That's what I've always thought, but I guess it's all down to the area you operate in and the competition you're up against.
Bookmark and Share Reply With Quote
  #19 (permalink)  
Old 2nd March 2009, 06:05 PM
LisaTalkingTots's Avatar
Trainee Lab Tech
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 21
Thanks: 1
Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts
iTrader: (0)
Default

Hello ... I'm Lisa and I'm a franchisor! We franchised our business Talking Tots in September 2007 and we currently have 23 franchises throughout the UK.
Regards,
Lisa.
__________________
Lisa http://www.talkingtots.info
Bookmark and Share Reply With Quote
  #20 (permalink)  
Old 16th March 2009, 12:09 AM
Graduate
Full Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 3
Thanks: 0
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
iTrader: (0)
Default I run a franchise directory....

Hi Lisa and Sarah! (thanks for the plug Sarah )

I run a franchise directory promoting franchises for sale and although I had no experience in this industry up until 3 years ago, I have been absorbed by it ever since.. The scams, the great opportunities, the ups the downs... Watching small franchisors grow from 2 pilot franchises to 20-60 working and profitable franchisees is just fantastic.

It is an amazing industry; so much so that we recently launched in Australia with our first franchisee and are launching in the USA in 4 weeks too, so for us it is not only great to work in but profitable also as you would hope with any business of course..

What I am not however is a franchisee, it would be great to get more people who run franchised businesses on here to talk about their good experiences. A quick search of UK business forums can bring up many of the bad experiences but so little gets documented of the majority which are happily running a profitable franchise of their own
__________________
Matthew Anderson
Founder - The Franchise Shop UK Franchise Opportunities Directory
Bookmark and Share Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
franchise opportunities, franchises for sale

Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

LinkBacks (?)
LinkBack to this Thread: http://www.ukbusinesslabs.co.uk/forums/franchising/259-does-anyone-here-run-franchise.html
Posted By For Type Date
Does anyone here run a franchise? - UK Business Labs - Business Forum This thread Refback 13th August 2008 03:04 PM


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 03:46 AM.

Click for banner rates

Spread the word!

Click for banner rates

Click for banner rates

Fonts.com


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.2
Copyright ©2000 - 2009, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
SEO by vBSEO 3.3.0
Forum styling and imagery Copyright © Bean Internet www.beaninternet.co.uk 2007-2009.
'UK Business Labs™' and 'UKBL™' are trademarks of Bean Internet.
The opinions expressed on this message board do not necessarily represent the opinions of the owners, staff and sponsors
A Bean Internet venture
A Bean Internet venture.