With 85 per cent of workers wanting to start their own business, the UK is a hotbed of budding entrepreneurs. However, turning that dream into a reality can be a daunting prospect.
With a franchise, you have the opportunity to run your own business with the added benefit of an established brand, a proven business model, and ongoing training and support. Discover more about this lucrative business model at the UK’s flagship franchise event – The National Franchise Exhibition on 6th and 7th October at the NEC, Birmingham.
Attendees will have the opportunity to get to know the teams behind over 120 leading franchise brands, including Anytime Fitness, Black Sheep Coffee, Dyno-Rod, easyStorage, Subway, RE/MAX, Home Instead, and many more. From management to hands-on, premises-based to working from home – there will be a franchise to suit all budgets, interests and ambitions.
The Low-cost Franchise Showcase will feature brands with investment levels under £10k – for budding entrepreneurs that have always wanted to be their own boss but have limited upfront investment available.
Overseas brands
The International Franchise Pavilion will showcase overseas brands looking to expand into the UK, offering investors the benefits of being an early adopter. Exhibitors include Crayola Imagine Arts Academy, Duck Donuts, Funk Coffee + Food and more.
For previous attendee Sam Smith, The Franchise Exhibitions proved to be the catalyst he needed to launch his own successful franchise business. He says: “Meeting the brands at the exhibition gave me a chance to see if they were genuine. There may be things on franchisors’ websites that are the best bits, but by asking them my own questions, I could get all details I wanted to know.”
A conversation with Tezlom Healthcare Recruitment Agency founder Ryan Armitage at the event proved to be life-changing for both Sam and his family. “He came across so nice, so genuine. I was immediately drawn to what Tezlom stood for, and their friendly ethos.”
After completing his due diligence, meeting a number of existing franchisees and securing funding, Sam became the proud owner of Tezlom Tonbridge, Maidstone and Dartford. Two years later, he had no hesitations about extending his franchise agreement and continuing to grow his business.
For those looking to follow Sam’s footsteps and invest in a franchise, the event will offer access to a wealth of inspiration, education and practical advice.
The two-day exhibition is exclusively supported by the British Franchise Association (BFA), who will deliver a series of independent seminars to provide a gateway to the industry. Sessions include ‘An introduction to franchising’, ‘How to evaluate franchise opportunities’, ‘Taking your next steps in franchising’, and ‘An essential guide to the franchise recruitment process’.
McDonald’s Insight Sessions, taking place throughout the event, will give curious investors the chance to find out what it is like to be a franchisee with the iconic brand. Representatives from the McDonald’s team will provide an overview of the opportunity, recruitment process and first-class training programme during these pre-bookable talks.
These invaluable presentations sit within an extensive programme of over 50 free educational talks covering all aspects of franchising. Visitors will gain an in-depth understanding of the business model, learn more about the latest industry trends, and get practical tips on becoming a franchisee.
Keynote speakers include Steph Hedger, Director of Development and Leasing at global sandwich franchise Subway. Steph has over 15 years of experience as a strategic property and development expert within the hospitality, wellness, retail and leisure industries. During this insightful session, Steph will share real-life examples of how the team are ‘Transforming a sleeping giant’.
Saturday’s visitors will hear from Dan Archer, the UK Chief Executive of Visiting Angels, whose keynote presentation ‘The power of Mission: When a business opportunity leads to a social revolution’ promises to be an event highlight.
With a 20-year background in franchising, Dan most recently launched the home care brand in the UK, overseeing its rapid expansion to over 50 locations in less than five years, ensures he is well placed to offer a unique perspective on the industry.
Attendees will also benefit from first-hand accounts from successful franchisees with a wealth of experience. During the Real Franchise Stories Q&A sessions, franchisees from multiple successful brands will share why they chose to invest, what they have learnt along the way and what they wish they’d known at the outset.
To help future franchisees take the next steps on their franchise journey, a host of industry experts including the BFA, finance providers, specialist lawyers and consultants will offer complimentary one-to-one advice throughout the event.
HSBC’s dedicated franchise team and NGI Franchise Funding will shed light on the range of finance options available to would-be franchisees. Beyond Corporate and Hamilton Pratt will offer complimentary legal advice, and the BFA will be on-hand to offer impartial guidance on all aspects of franchising.
Multi-unit portfolios
Existing franchisees with ambitions to expand beyond one or two units should register for the Multi-unit Franchise Conference & Networking Lunch, which will run parallel to the exhibition on Friday 6th October. Sponsored by Summa Franchise Consulting, Akerman and ProfitKeeper, this is an unmissable opportunity to hear from established franchisees and representatives from leading franchise brands as they discuss the dos and don’ts of building a multi-unit portfolio.
Current business owners that are looking to expand their operations can gain practical advice on franchising their business during a dedicated programme of free seminars. The BFA will host panel discussions covering the key factors to consider, Beyond Corporate will touch on the legal aspects and Ashton Franchise Consulting will provide guidance on the process of building a franchise model.
Tracy Shah, Managing Director of Venture Marketing Group, the exhibition organiser, comments: “The National Franchise Exhibition has helped thousands of visitors find their perfect franchise opportunity. We’re delighted to bring ambitious entrepreneurs and leading franchise brands together once again on 6th and 7th October.
“The exhibition will house everything a prospective business owner needs to kick-start their entrepreneurial journey – an inspiring line-up of franchise brands and insights from industry thought-leaders, plus a wealth of expert advice under one roof.”
Tickets to the event are free but must be pre-booked online to ensure easy entry. For more information about what’s going on and to book your free ticket, visit FranchiseInfo.co.uk.