bfa Franchisor of the Year Award 2008 Winners!

This year the British Franchise Association toasted the success of Autosmart International at the bfa Franchisor of the Year Award 2008. All the finalists were honoured at a glittering gala luncheon held at the Sheraton Park Lane Hotel, London on Thursday 22nd May. The Awards, sponsored by Express Newspapers and HSBC Bank, sought out the top performing franchisors in the UK, rewarding their individual excellence and highlighting the increasing influence of a market sector now worth £12.4 billion. Entries were accepted across three separate categories – the Express Newspapers Brand Builder of the Year, the HSBC Award for Enterprise and, for overall achievement, bfa Franchisor of the Year where the theme was ‘now and then, five years on’. Short listed companies for the bfa Franchisor of the Year Awards had to demonstrate the developments they have brought to their businesses in the past five years. Taking home the Gold Award and the prestigious title of “bfa Franchisor of the Year 2008” was Autosmart International. Managing Director of Autosmart, Sophie Atkinson, said: “This award recognises that together we have built a really successful and sustainable business. I am so proud that our performance has been singled out as exceptional.  My thanks go to our dedicated network of franchisees and head office staff for enabling this to happen.” The Silver Award went to TaxAssist Accountants with the Bronze Award being scooped up by Oscar Pet Foods. The Express Newspapers Brand Builder of the Year - which recognises franchisors that have both supported and added value to their brands during the past 12 months - was awarded to Dream Doors. The HSBC Award for Enterprise acknowledging franchisors that have used creative business strategies to overcome unusual odds, or to find success where, perhaps, others have failed was taken home by O2 UK. Director General of the bfa, Brian Smart, said: “This year’s competition was extremely difficult to judge, with high quality contributions from many of the entrants. All the winners deserve recognition for their outstanding achievements. They have continually developed their business models to support their network of franchisees, ensuring maximised growth whilst building sustainable and profitable businesses”

Gold Winner: Autosmart International Ltd Against a backdrop of emerging markets Autosmart International has remained focused on its core business principles. The company has also undergone a management buyout and invested heavily in franchise recruitment. By sticking to what it does best, Autosmart established a business model that will take the company and its franchise network forward to a secure future. Silver Winner: TaxAssist Accountants Efforts by TaxAssist Accountants to further differentiate themselves in the marketplace have resulted in significant growth in fee bank and profitability. The changes include the introduction of a shop front concept for franchisees, which in addition to their core business of tax and accountancy, enable franchisees to become a ‘one stop shop’ for small businesses. Bronze Winner: Oscar Pet Foods In five years family business Oscar Pet Foods has gone from strength to strength. Much of its success is due to the strong partnership with the Oscar franchisees, who attend regular meetings at their Preston head office to swap ideas and consult on strategy. A new marketing initiative and complete re-branding of the company have also set the scene for growth. Express Newspapers Brand Builder of the Year Award Winner: Dream Doors Dream Doors has made it a priority to ensure that the brand continues to represent the UK’s number one franchised kitchen door replacement company. Last year Dream Doors appointed a top design agency to design all of its marketing material, including shop fronts, and exhibition materials, creating a consistent and instantly recognisable brand image. HSBC Award for Enterprise Winner: O2 UK Ltd Based on a system that allows franchisee and franchisor to work in partnership, the O2 Franchise also encourages franchisees to challenge the way that the business is run, while benefiting from the power of a leading brand. This has the added effect of attracting high calibre franchisee candidates, many of who are successful and seasoned franchisees from other leading brands looking for their next challenge.

Scottish Franchise Week 2008

Franchising took on a decidedly Scottish flavour this summer at Scottish Franchise Week on 9th – 14th June.

In its fifth year, the week was sponsored by Lloyds TSB Scotland and supported by Moreland Insurance and included networking, educational and franchise showcase events, all aimed to raise awareness of ethical franchising.

‘Lloyds TSB is proud of its ongoing commitment to business and franchising in Scotland and we were delighted to support the week. The Scottish Business Breakfast bought together the cream of Scotland’s business community and was a fantastic opportunity to develop new contacts and to hear real success stories from people who are living their dreams. Lloyds TSB is absolutely committed to helping people develop their own business and succeed’
- Richard Holden, Head of Franchising, Lloyds TSB Bank plc

Celebrating the spirit of enterprise during Scottish Franchise Week, the bfa’s Franchise Group for Scotland presented a Scottish Business Breakfast on Friday, 13th June at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Glasgow. The Business Breakfast included contributions from leading figures from the franchise sector such as Domino’s Pizza Franchise Development Manager Andy Hirst, Mike Campbell, the Falkirk Belvoir Lettings Franchisee as well as a keynote presentation from Scottish Entrepreneur Ken Cairnduff.

“The aim of Scottish Franchise Week was to raise awareness of ethical franchising and the role which it plays in business start-up and job creation in Scotland. The Business Breakfast was the focal point of the week where those involved in franchising or looking to be part of the franchise community got together to share experiences and keep abreast of the developing franchise market.”

- Bill Hendrie, Chairman, bfa Franchise Group for Scotland

The breakfast, which was held before the opening of the two day Glasgow Franchise Exhibition welcomed over 320 attendees tucking into a hearty traditional Scottish breakfast!

Approach franchising with confidence with prospective franchisee seminars

The bfa's one day prospective seminars are aimed at those who want to find out more about franchising to see whether or not it is the right choice for them. The seminar is a 'hands on' one day event aimed at giving you an introduction to franchising and also making you aware of the various questions that you should be asking of both yourself and a potential franchisor. There are also key presentations from lawyers, accountants and bankers who are all experienced in UK franchising. The next one day seminar for prospective franchisees will be taking place in Manchester on the 10th September. Please click here to find out more information and book a place on the seminars.

New bookshop titles

Don't forget to look at the bookshop on the bfa website, as there are regularly new titles available and updated editions of older titles.

BULLETIN BOARD - the latest in Franchising news

BLUEBIRD CARE Bluebird Care featured on BBC 2 Working Lunch Programme s a leader in the care at home sector, Bluebird Care was recently featured on the BBC Working Lunch programme when the programme investigated the need for Care at Home and the business opportunities this need is creating. Following on from Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s recent speech on social care where he stated that “care services need to be more responsive to the rising demand for personal care and for independence. We must make it easier for people to be cared for in their own homes”, Bluebird Care was shown to be a Company that understands the issues around care at home and have developed modern systems and procedures to provide a high quality of care. Managing Director Paul Tarsey said “The programme highlighted the success of our franchise model which has seen nearly 30 offices open in the UK and Ireland in 2 years. Franchising works extremely well in this sector.” CARTRIDGE WORLD Cartridge World Sponsors Europe’s First Carbon Zero Racing Team Cartridge World has announced its sponsorship of Team CVR (Clyde Valley Racing), the first motor-racing team to announce its intention to operate a zero carbon policy. The team will be known as Cartridge World Carbon Zero Racing as a result of Cartridge World’s multi-year title sponsorship agreement with Team CVR. It will be part of the action in the 2009 HiQ MSA British Touring Car Championship (BTCC). Simon Smith, Head of Marketing - Europe for Cartridge World, said: “There are many companies working to tackle the factors that influence global warming. Cartridge World is one, by preventing millions of empty cartridges from being sent automatically to landfill. “Cartridge World Carbon Zero Racing is the only team in Europe to take the ‘zero carbon’ approach, and the only one created with the sole intention of showcasing the performance, reliability and environmental advantages of new fuels, technology and ongoing R&D” RIVERFORD ORGANIC VEGETABLES Riverford Organic Vegetables celebrates its 100th Franchisee Over 22 years, Riverford Organic Vegetables has grown from a pioneering start with one man, a tractor and three acres of land, to a fast-expanding venture with four farms and 350 staff. The family-owned organic veg box business appeared in the Sunday Times 2007 Fast Track 100 list of companies with the fastest sales growth. The business has grown by teaming up with ‘sister’ farms around the UK; meeting demand without compromising its commitment to low food miles, local employment, the support of local farmers and keeping a close link between grower and consumer. “I am delighted to welcome Dave Hanlon to Riverford and wish him great success with his business.” said Ian Bradley, Commercial Director of Riverford. SELECT GROUP Leading UK recruitment franchisor becomes part of second largest HR services company in the world! International recruitment companies Randstad Holding nv and Vedior NV have announced that they will be forming one Group to create the world’s second largest HR services company. In the UK the Select Group, the traditional staffing arm of Vedior, will combine with Randstad to create a market leading recruitment company, serving employers and job-seekers from over 200 locations across the country. The new company will continue to support and develop Select’s highly successful franchise business under the Select Appointments, Parkhouse Recruitment and Select Hospitality brands. Diane Martyn, Chief Executive of the new company and former CEO of the Select Group, comments: “I am very proud to lead our new company, and franchising remains a significant business stream for us. Our respected recruitment franchise model that has been recognised with multiple industry awards allows individuals to operate their own local business with the support of a major brand and infrastructure. ”

THE STREAT The Streat to open franchises in Scotland The Northern Ireland-based deli business will nearly double its size by opening 20 outlets in Scotland! CAFE and deli franchise business the Streat is set for a major expansion into Scotland that could almost double its size. The team behind the Streat hope to open franchises in every major city and town in Scotland. The Scottish operations will be headed by Gerry Carey, the former retail operations director at Rangers FC and district manager with the Disney Store. “It is a competitive sector but we are confident that our formula offers something distinctive,” he said. “Cities like Glasgow and Edinburgh could easily handle three or four outlets but we hope that all major towns and cities in Scotland will have a Streat presence.” CHAMBERS AND CO Acclaimed legal firm celebrates tenth anniversary in style Franchise law specialists Chambers and Co will be celebrating ten immensely successful years with a gala event at Cambridge University. The Norwich firm was established by former businessman turned solicitor John Chambers in 1998. Since then it has helped over 150 franchisors and has built up an enviable client base, operating both in the UK and overseas. More than 20 of these companies have moved onto great successes at events such as the Franchisor of the Year Awards. “Our first year was so outstanding that we held a party at the House of Lords to celebrate, and we felt we could only match that by coming nearer home to the serenity of St John's College. It’s a nice bonus that we happen to share the same name,” said John Chambers. In 2007 Chambers & Co was named equal second in the list of law firms offering franchise services, by the respected industry guide Legal 500. Much of the firm’s work has been to help take UK franchisors into the USA, China, Middle East and many European countries. “I am proud that from the start we have attracted quality clients. This could not have been achieved without some outstanding lawyers and other staff, all of whom seem to grow within the firm. I actually can’t believe the firm is already ten years old. I still get a buzz when a client achieves a particular landmark, such as their first recruit, resale, or national conference.” BUSINESS FRANCHISE Business Franchise is going digital! Business Franchise is now available in an online interactive digital format. The latest issue of Business Franchise will be the first available in this format on BusinessFranchise.com. This means that Business Franchise will be even easier for prospective and current franchisees to access. With many potential franchisees looking for their perfect franchise online, Business Franchise, the only official journal of the British Franchise Association (bfa) and the only official magazine of the bfa-approved Franchise exhibitions, has ensured it stays at the top of its game with franchisee recruitment. By being published online Business Franchise places itself in front of a wider audience, and continues to uphold its commitment to uniting franchise seekers and franchisors successfully. FIELD FISHER WATERHOUSE Leading Franchising Law Practices Merge 1st May 2008 saw the franchise practice of Field Fisher Waterhouse headed by Mark Abell merge with Chris Wormald, formerly of Eversheds LLP. As both practices have for many years, been ranked joint top of the franchise rankings by both the Chambers and Legal 500 Directories, the newly merged practice will be a premier franchise practice in the UK and indeed Europe. The Field Fisher Waterhouse franchise team headed by Mark Abell and Chris Wormald will comprise 8 partners and a further 12 solicitors dedicated to franchising.

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