Franchise Information, advice and news.

Although sign and printing business opportunities may not initially be the first port of call when developing a business scheme, they are a market that could be potentially lucrative if approached in the right way. ProntaPrint, for example, is a well-known brand and can be seen in many locations on the high street.

What must be borne in mind is that there will always be a demand for printing by businesses. Many need to spend a lot of time and money on advertising and integral elements of this involve posters, leaflets and business cards.

Due to the fact that printing is a necessity, it is an area that is commonly outsourced by a company as the equipment and manpower to do certain printing tasks may not be in force. Therefore, sign and printing franchises could be a significant money spinner.

Another key factor linked with growth in this sector is the rise in popularity of the digital camera. Superb quality photographs and prints can be created in a short space of time and are, to some extent, overtaking photo development stores as the prime place where prints are produced.

An example of a successful printing franchise is US-based Business Card Experts which provides business cards for individuals and companies. It has developed technology that allows thousands of business cards to be printed out on a daily basis and an initial investment if US$10,000 drop the US is required.

An advantage of moving into this sector through franchising is the fact that companies such as Business Card Experts provide ongoing training and support alongside a proven track record of success in its field. Additionally, the job can be home-based which means that with effective business planning, hours can be chosen to suit the individual and the time and expense of travelling to work is eradicated.

The aforementioned ProntaPrint currently has around 175 franchises across the UK and Ireland. With 35 years of experience in this field, the company has a very good reputation that can be taken advantage of and when combined with hard work and determination could prove very fruitful for the franchisee.

Sign A Rama is a US-based sign franchise that is operational in 600 locations in 22 countries. A company of this size offers the benefit of a tried and tested business formula that can offer quick returns. A store is needed from which to trade from and support with this and every aspect of running the business is provided.

Another benefit of franchising in this sector is that with some of the work being Business-to-business and client focused, once one company comes onboard, it seems inevitable that word of mouth will spread if the level of service remains high.

By taking advantage of a companies company's established reputation, therein lies the beauty of franchising. Companies such as the ones described above obviously want the franchise to be a success and so every provision will be provided in order to lay down an efficient framework to maximise profits.

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Franchising encompasses a vast range of business sectors and one potentially lucrative market to be tapped could be carpet cleaning. The domestic cleaning market is worth approximately £9 billion ($16.7 billion) per year in the UK, underlining the potential for a carpet cleaning business venture.

Franchising itself can offer long term security with minimum risk if the right franchise is selected and by using a company with a proven track record in their particular industry, business is made that little bit easier.

The key to making sure a carpet cleaning business opportunity works smoothly is focusing on the interaction between client and cleaner. In order for such a venture to work successfully, communication skills must be utilised to their maximum as good working relationships between franchisee, franchiser and client can only benefit all parties involved.

A carpet cleaning franchise can operate in markedly different ways. Companies can employ franchisees who don uniforms and work in offices, they could send cleaners to a location with keys while the client is away, or the service could be door to door.

Examples of tried and tested cleaning franchises are Molly Maid and Merry Maids. Both offer carpet cleaning and operate a management franchise, so the franchisee is ultimately in control of staff that provide the domestic maid service. The former uses uniformed staff in order to essentially advertise the company's services while the latter sends teams of two cleaners with keys to properties.

One key element to carpet cleaning businesses such as the two mentioned above, is the ability to manage teams of cleaners. Choosing the right team is paramount so that a high level of customer service is offered. This will keep clients returning to the business and will also invite new companies to come on board.

Each franchisee will be allocated a specific area from which to build a base of operations. It is important to target customers in the area and a good brand name and reputation is a very effective tool in doing so. Delivering leaflets could be an effective part of advertising the company and spreading the word.

A carpet cleaning business opportunity can initially be started from home. Recruitment could take place in a local newspaper perhaps or through advertising at local stores. The benefit of home working and delegating work this way is low overheads and the flexibility that this work model offers. It is in time when the business has flourished that a franchisee can start to look for premises if needs be. SelClene founder Martin Gover urges franchisees to follow "proven marketing formulas along tried and tested lines".

A good franchiser will offer full training and ongoing support and advice. Allied to this, it must be remembered that a franchise runs at the pace of the franchisee and so with a little hard work and persistence, the business could blossom into a high income venture.

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Young, would-be franchisees are growing disillusioned by complex business terminology that is blocking their way to setting up a business, new research shows.

The Make Your Mark campaign in tandem with Domino's Pizza set out to discover the motivations of burgeoning Richard Branson's and Bill Gates' in the UK and the research found young people were fazed by too much complicated jargon.

Successful entrepreneurs and business owners were held up as individuals that could give the best advice on starting a business venture such as franchising, rather than the government, said 86 per cent of those quizzed.

Chief operating officer at Domino's Pizza Chris Moore remarked: "Assumptions and misunderstandings clearly restrict the potential of many thousands of young people who want to put their enterprise into action.

"Business appears to be denying itself access to a huge pool of potential talent by not removing some simple barriers." Make Your Mark is a campaign supported by businesses and the government and is funded by the Small Business Service of the Department of Trade and Industry. It aims to promote enterprise among young people and provide inspiration for business ventures.

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Residual income refers to the income generated based on the production of others within an organisation. The residual income will therefore differ from business to business as it is dependent upon the number of people an individual is accountable for and rates also differ across different companies.

This being the case, an initial starting point for anyone looking to take advantage of any residual income business opportunities would be to select a reputable franchise with established staff who will inform the franchisee of the intricacies of running such a business venture. It is important that everything is done to fully understand the business environment before starting up a residual income venture.

In theory, a residual income business opportunity rests on the performance of others as well as your own and so it is necessary to maintain strong communication links between franchisee and franchiser, as well as among the franchisees themselves.

Someone with dedication who is hard working and persistent would be ideal for such an opportunity. As income is linked to performance, it is therefore imperative that production is maximised and to do so successfully, a good amount of planning needs to be put into practice so that every eventuality is covered. Contingency plans are, for this reason, vital aspects of the planning process and will make the implementation of changes that little easier.

Franchises offer the huge benefit of a proven system of operations and it is a tried and tested business method that is perhaps the greatest advantage to setting up any franchise. A good franchiser will provide effective training, marketing tools and local sales/marketing support to make the transition period as painless as possible. As a result, it is this introductory package and ongoing advice that can mean franchisees start in the business world with an effective framework from which to build.

A residual income business opportunity can be located anywhere. It could be run from home or from an office. Therefore it is important to decide which location suits which franchisee. In terms of residual income, this perhaps takes on greater significance due to the fact that income is changeable and very much tied in with the success of a location. The customer must be targeted to maximum effect and a large part of this links to the ease in which they can access a company's services or product.

One avenue to be explored could be website franchise opportunities that pay a residual income. The internet as a tool for profit making cannot be underestimated. It continues to grow and the acquisition of entertainment-sharing website YouTube by Google for £883 million ($1.65 billion) in October 2006 goes to prove the huge potential in this market.

An example would be UK On The Web, a company that offers programming, brand development and web ideas to a range of clients. For an outlay of £4995 ($9,300), the franchisee is then responsible for the running of a website that returns 100 per cent of all sales generated – meaning big money if a successful formula is developed. Revenue streams will come from advertising and the more work put in, the more money a residual income business such as this could bring in.

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An online home business could be the perfect opportunity for a number of reasons. No travelling to work, the freedom to make decisions and the ability to effectively manage work, life balance, to name but a few.

However, it must be borne in mind that working from home is not for everyone so initially time needs to be spent weighing up the options available before making a decision.

Once an online home business venture has been decided as the business route to be followed, planning becomes an essential part of process. Though full training and support is provided by the majority of franchisers, it is still necessary to effectively plan for the future so that every detail has been meticulously scrutinised.

Firstly, the right franchise needs to be chosen so that franchiser and franchisee can work together in harmony. A franchise with an established reputation and proven track record would be a good place to start as they it will be able to offer the franchisee the benefits of their its market knowledge.

WSI, an internet solutions company, is a good example of a suitable franchiser as they have over 1,500 franchisees in 87 countries and ranks on the entrepreneur 500 in the top 50 franchises in the world.

The company provides internet assistance to small and medium-sized business in the franchisee's local area and this is a market that shows no sign of slowing. Christmas is a hugely busy period for internet sales with a total of £4.98 billion ($9.2 billion) spent online in the lead up to Christmas in 2005.

IMRG, the e-commerce trade body, forecasts that e-commerce will grow by 36 per cent in 2006, with total sales for the year reaching £26 billion ($48.2 billion).

When working from home this includes, creating an effective and suitable work environment that is separate from the rest of the house in order to generate the effect of professional surroundings.

Time management also needs to be focused on so that the home is treated as a fully functioning base of business operations. With an effective strategy regarding a daily schedule in place, time can therefore be maximised and this can only benefit an online home business.

The cost of such a venture is obviously of huge importance to the franchisee and the best option would be to compare and contrast the prices online before committing to anything. Prices vary from franchise to franchise, for instance, the Online Retail Community Alliance (ORCA) provide advice similar to WSI and ask for £10,950 ($20,300) plus VAT whereas Amberworks, a computer maintenance franchise require £21,500 ($39,900) plus VAT.

When everything is taken into consideration, the franchisee must maintain regular contact with the franchiser in order to assess strengths, address weaknesses and respond accordingly. Interaction between the two can only provide a strong framework for future advancement in the online home venture.

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Many young people wrongly believe franchising to be a riskier venture than starting a business from scratch, according to research undertaken by the Make Your Mark campaign and Domino's Pizza earlier this year.

However, a home based business opportunity could actually benefit a whole range of people who have the energy and diligence to make such a venture work for them and a whole range of possibilities are available in this line of work.

Director of policy for the Make Your Mark campaign Raj Patel remarked: "Franchising provides numerous benefits for the many young people who cite fear of failure as a barrier to going it alone. This growing sector offers many diverse opportunities: from convenience food through to printing and home services."

Working from home obviously requires a different mindset from working in other environments. Self-motivation would be a key personal attribute in determining whether or not a home based business opportunity would be the right career move. It could be easy to fall into a pattern of late morning rises and countless breaks so a strict routine would be advised.

Any respected franchisor, will give full training to the franchisee so that a tried and tested business formula is learnt by the franchisee and a return on capital can be maximised.

An example of this would be aqua-lec where a total investment of £22,350 ($41,681) is needed in exchange for the use of trademark and trade name, control of operating the franchise and providing the specific aqua-lec services in a designated area, among other things.

Due to the fact that the franchiser wants success just as much as the franchisee, companies such as aqua-lec will provide a lot of the donkey work, relieving the franchisee of many of the operating burdens such as bookkeeping and marketing.

One very attractive knock-on effect of a home based franchise is that costs can be kept to a minimum when operating a business from home. Added to the lack of travelling expenses and time, these factors can really start to benefit the franchisee in terms of time management and cost saving exercises.

Working from home should not, however, be an excuse for shoddy planning. The business exercise should be run with precision and should be treat as any other business venture, eliminating any oversights that may arise from having the relative comfort zone of one's own home as a base of operations.

There are many key factors to consider once a home based business opportunity is past the planning stage and into the implementation stage. The franchisee must make use of all available help from the franchiser. This can only be beneficial for both parties.

Any working area needs to be both practical and professional and so it is of paramount importance that time is taken to address this need when organising the house around the business.

Lastly, financial data must be analysed and be seen to be in correct order so that there can be no nasty surprises lurking around the corner, such as realistic profit and loss projections. Likewise, the franchisee should do their homework on the franchisor so that they know what to expect from the company they are to do business with.

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It appears that business opportunities in the vending sector could prove to be very profitable indeed with a little hard work and some business acumen. In 2005, vending machine sales rose 3.1 per cent on the previous year to £3.42 billion ($6.4 billion), underlining the vast potential in the UK market.

The success of the vending market may come as no surprise, considering vending machines can now be found everywhere from the workplace to the high street. Major benefits include the ease in which they can be installed and the fact that the rental space is the only cost.

Vending franchises are not merely constrained to machines either. Essentially, a vending business is one that does not trade from conventional premises. This could be a person coming into workplaces and selling food and drink by hand, for example.

For vending businesses it is very much a case of location, location. This is all important when setting up such an enterprise as the business must operate a service in an area where customer interaction is maximised. The right place for operating must be ascertained and then business planning can be tailored around the location and the target customer.

Most companies will offer training opportunities and on-going support to vending franchisees and one such example is the Original Chocolate Fountain, the largest chocolate fountain operator in the UK. The franchise fee in this case would be between £8,000 ($15,000) and £15,000 ($28,000) and a total financial requirement of £29,000 ($54,000) would be needed.

Personal risk can be minimised in many franchise ventures due to the franchiser following a tried and tested formula of operations that it employs across the board. Allied to this, a franchiser with an established reputation will have much more sway when it comes to grinding out a good deal with suppliers for instance.

It is also of paramount importance to choose the right product when establishing a vending business. Information such as cigarettes showing the slowest growth rate in regards to vending machine sales is something that will obviously affect choosing a cigarette vending machine as a business opportunity.

The growing trend of snacking among youngsters highlights a key area of possible growth. The combined factors that many purchases from vending machines prove to be impulse purchases, linked with the fact that UK spending on savoury snacks and confectionery accounted for sales of £8.8 billion ($16.5 billion) in 2005, points to huge market potential.

US-based vending machine franchiser Vendstar is a prime example of the opportunities available in this sector. The company says that bulk candy vending machines do their own advertising, there are tax advantages to being self-employed and a vending business allows the individual to work from home and choose their own hours.

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When setting up an internet business, the process should be approached in much the same way as a normal bricks and mortar enterprise. The onus will lie with the business strategy and so this must be researched and planned to an optimum.

Of course, IT and design skills will be put very much under the spotlight in this business area and are therefore crucial factors in gauging potential success in this type of industry.

Allied to this, the marketplace needs to be studied meticulously so that competitors are identified and strengths and weaknesses of both the business and its competitors are highlighted. Once this has taken place, areas for improvement can be ascertained.

Franchising opportunities on the internet are fairly numerous, with companies offering comprehensive help, guidance, training and advice for anyone looking to start up their own business online and aiming to add franchising to their list of options.

However, for those going it alone and starting up a business, one of your initial concerns will be the company name. Likewise, a domain name will be a priority and it is best to avoid something obscure in order to attract customers to the website. A good starting point would be to create a short and snappy name that is memorable in order to maximise search engine optimisation and a scenario whereby customers return to the website. It is important that trademarks of other companies are not used as this could lead to legal issues.

The website name or URL is the key factor for an internet business, as without it, customers will not be aware of the existence of the company. For this reason, it is important that the URL is utilised as much as possible, in all correspondence.

Also, in this line of business a fast speed internet connection is of the utmost importance. Therefore a dial up connection is a definite go area and ADSL connection is a necessity.

Once up and running it is vital that people get to hear about the company to increase the potential market for your business. It is in the company's best interest to do some degree of marketing and advertising so that the existing customers are kept informed of developments and new customers can be enticed.

It may be beneficial to outsource to some extent, getting a third party to design a professional and efficient website. Web hosting and web design are both areas that another company could help with so that important aspects of the business are catered for. These can include a secure payment system, which is also a must when starting up an internet business.

A highly encrypted secure server would be recommended to offer the best level of security for business and customer.

Then there is the product itself. It is no good having lots of orders but no product to offer. This must be well planned in advance and product storage and distribution are two vital factors in ensuring the customer receives the best level of service.

It basically all comes back to the planning. In order for implementation of the internet business to be a success, all avenues must have been covered, including the domain name, the website itself, the payment system, the marketing and the service provided.

Internet shopping is on the rise in the UK and indications suggest that this Christmas will see a boom of online purchases. In the ten weeks before last Christmas, customers spent a total of £4.98 billion ($9.36 billion) compared to £3.3 billion ($6.2 billion) in 2004.

The total figure for internet spending in the UK during 2005 was £19.2 billion ($36 billion), showing a rise of 32 per cent on the previous year. These figures underline the wealth of opportunities for online businesses.

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Norfolk is to demonstrate its position as the franchising capital of Britain this week as business from across the county flock to the National Franchise Exhibition in Birmingham.

Among those Norfolk-based businesses taking part will be Signs Express and Tax Assist, both of whom have successfully expanded across the country.

Norwich law firm Leathes Prior will also be present for what will be its 20th time at the annual event. It will he helping to present a programme of seminars for aspiring entrepreneurs and industry experts.

Jonathan Chadd, a partner at Leathes Prior, told the Norfolk Eastern Daily Press that for many businesses in the area franchising has become a great way to secure the expansion they require.

"Here in Norwich there is not only the professional expertise required to assist businesses in establishing franchised structures, but a significant cluster of successful franchiser companies that demonstrate how effective franchising can be when undertaken properly."

Also at the National Franchise Exhibition will be Norwich-based Franchise Development Services; an organisation that helps local businesses to expand through franchising.

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A north-west England estate agency franchise is planning an ambitious expansion into the rest of the UK in order to bring its popular services to wider audience, Blackpool Today reports.

Moving Works currently has 13 offices in towns across the north-west, including Blackpool, Preston, Bolton, Cleveleys and Lytham. Following on from its success in the local market it now hopes to expand the franchise nationwide.

The estate agency will kick start its plan for growth this week at the National Franchise Exhibition at the NEC in Birmingham. It will be looking to impress industry experts and potential franchisees as it sets out to achieve its goals.

Georgina Cox, managing director of Moving Works, told Blackpool Today: "We are in a key phase of development for the franchise and this exhibition is the next step.
"Word is spreading about Moving Works and customers are recognising that we offer something different. For potential franchisees this is fantastic news as half the battle when opening a new business is having a unique selling point."
According to the newspaper, the estate agent has just been awarded the British Franchise Association mark, which will give it a significant advantage as it sets out on its nationwide expansion programme.

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National Franchise Week is getting into full swing, giving aspiring entrepreneurs across the country the chance to explore the many opportunities open to them.

Taking place between October 2nd and 8th, the annual celebration aims to raise awareness of franchising as a successful business model.

This year's event is packed full of events, including regional discovery days where potential franchisees can find out more about the opportunities in their area, and educational seminars where entrepreneurs can get hints and tips from franchising experts on how to make their business a success.

The week will culminate in a spectacular fashion with the National Franchise Exhibition at the Birmingham NEC. This two-day fair will showcase franchising opportunities from all sectors and across all areas of the UK, from health and fitness franchises in the North East to cleaning franchises in the South West.

National Franchise Week 2006 is organised by the British Franchise Association and supported by Volkswagen, HSBC, the Daily Express and Yell.

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A major new house building initiative focussing on London's suburbs could open the door for aspiring franchisees to set up their own businesses in the area.

As part of a national effort to increase the supply of affordable homes, Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott has announced plans to build up to 200,000 new properties in and around the capital, in particular the Thames Gateway area, which has 10,000 acres of brownfield land.

The initiative could provide some exciting opportunities for franchise businesses and entrepreneurs in the Greater London region who may be able to purchase franchises in areas where the new housing is being planned.

In particular, franchises offering domestic services such as cleaning, construction and gardening could find success in the new development areas. Similarly, retail outlets, restaurants and coffee shops will also be welcomed by new homeowners.

According to the BBC, some 55 primary schools, six police stations and 19 health centres would be needed to serve the new population on the Thames Gateway; a 40-mile-wide area from east and southeast London to Kent and Essex.

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A female franchisee from Bedfordshire is celebrating after opening her own legal services franchise in the village of Wymington, MK News reports.

Covering most of Bedfordshire, the new National Legal Services franchise will offer will writing services and estate planning for the region's many residents.

According to MK News, Jane Haynes, 35, took on the franchise believing she had identified a gap in the local marketplace.

She said she was concerned by the number of people who do not have wills and who are unaware of what will happen to their assets when they die.

"Because modern families often involve remarriages and stepchildren, many people do not realise what could happen to their assets in the event of their death," she remarked.

"If they have not made adequate provisions it could result in a lot of stress and anxiety for their loved ones."

National Legal Services is the largest independent legal services provider in the UK.

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A new pizza franchise is set to hit the UK market in the near future giving British entrepreneurs the chance to run their own takeaway business, The Sunday Times reports.

Anthuan Xavier, lead investor in the accountancy firm Zowington, is believed to have bought the Four Star Pizza franchise in Ireland is drawing up plans to bring it to the UK.

According to the Sunday Times, Mr Xavier paid over €5 million to buy the Irish rights to the Four Star Pizza trademark from Wicklow businesswoman Anne O'Leary.

The new owner has also agreed to purchase the rights to the international trademark for Britain as part of an ambitious plan to double the size of the pizza chain over the next five years.

There are currently 32 Four Star Pizza outlets across Ireland, the majority of them in the republic. The first store was opened in 1988.

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Today there are more cars on the road than ever before and since these vehicles are being driven further and kept for longer, the need for automotive services is growing. Born in the 1970s and established in the 1980s, the quick oil change industry has proven to be not just a viable business, but an industry with huge growth potential.

The convenience of going to a quick oil change centre is expected to continue to draw in more customers and that's why savvy entrepreneurs could stand to make some impressive profits by entering this $15 billion industry and investing in a lube franchise.

There are a range of options for entrepreneurs entering this sector. Franchisees can chose from stationary oil change franchises to mobile ones, and franchises that offer other automotive services, such as brake repair, tyre rotation and belt replacement, as well as simple oil change.

Franchisees should therefore consider their budget as well as their own abilities before signing a deal. Mobile franchises may have lower start up costs, which may appeal to some, but stationary franchises may be the answer for those looking for a more settled job that doesn't require travelling from place to place.

Similarly, franchisees should examine the marketplace carefully in order to assess the level of demand for their services in their chosen area. A rival company may be offering oil change services, but by opting for a franchise that features additional auto repairs, franchisees could fill a gap in the local market and help to steal away market share.

Unlike some franchise opportunities, particularly those in the retail sector, a lube franchise provides the opportunity for a large amount of repeat business. This means that savvy entrepreneurs with a dedication to good customer service can establish relationships with clients and build up a portfolio of loyal customers who will bring their vehicle for servicing every few months.

Of course effective marketing is still extremely important to bring in new clients and keep the business growing. But going the franchise way means business owners can benefit from an established brand name that people will know and trust, as well as marketing and advertising support to help manage the brand's reputation both on a local and national scale.

Franchisees investing in oil change franchises generally do not need any previous experience, since most parent companies will offer full training in all aspects of running the business. But of course certain skills and abilities will make what is already a challenging job that little bit easier. Previous experience managing a small team, as well as some knowledge of accounts and other business operations, will be extremely beneficial, and a genuine interest in the motor services industry would be a great asset.

The quick oil change industry offers some excellent opportunities for entrepreneurs looking to be their own boss and turn a passion for cars into a successful career. Indeed choosing the right franchise could allow shrewd business people to realise their ambitions and run a thriving, profitable company that will feed the demand of motorists across the country.

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