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Featured news and articles
Front cover feature – Shuttercraft
Shuttercraft has been growing by 30 per cent each year due to the popularity of window shutters, which now include fire retardant and anti-bacterial shutters. The company has selected areas available for franchisees that want to join this growing market.
CeX store opens with funding from Lloyds Bank
CeX, which specialises in buying and selling second-hand gadgets, technology and computer games has opened in Buxton, Derbyshire, with funding from Lloyds Bank through the Enterprise Finance Guarantee scheme.
BFA appoints new board
Trevor Brocklebank, co-founder and chief executive of Home Instead Senior Care, has been elected the new BFA chairman at the association’s annual general meeting. The BFA also welcomed six new board members (three franchisor members and three affiliate members).
Warrens Bakery rolls-out its craft bakeries offer
Warrens Bakery, recognised as one of the UK’s top three craft bakeries and the world’s oldest pasty maker, is now offering franchises.
National Franchise Exhibition
The National Franchise Exhibition at the NEC, Birmingham, on February 17 and 18, will feature a variety of franchises and an extensive seminar programme for visitors. The event also incorporates the Growing Your Own Business conference with keynote speakers sharing their experiences on building a successful business.
Make the first impression count
Richard Holden, of Lloyds Banking Group, discusses the importance of the business plan when raising finance and how franchisors can play their part in guiding franchisees with the process.
Best Franchise Awards
Right At Home, ActionCoach, Diddi Dance and Pink Spaghetti have been announced as winners at the Best Franchise Awards, organised by Smith & Henderson, the research firm specialising in franchise benchmarking.
Get ready for resale
Julie Taylor, of Franchise Resales, says that as the UK franchise industry matures more franchise resales will become available, so franchisors should include an exit strategy plan as part of its ongoing training for franchisees.
International Franchising Week hosts symposium
The International Franchising Week is to host the BFA/IFA/EFF International Franchising Symposium at the Royal Garden Hotel, London, on March 16 and 17. The event will showcase speakers from the U.S. and Europe and will include round-table discussions on a variety of topics. More
Uber – a ‘fare’ deal for franchisees?
Elizabeth Lang and Mark Abell, of Bird & Bird, discuss the UK Employment Tribunal’s decision in favour of two Uber drivers, which could impact upon some low entry threshold franchises.
The value of using an insurance broker
Maurice Logie, of Moreland Insurance Brokers, highlights the benefits of using a broker as research has shown that 77% of SMEs noted that brokers offer vital advice and 72% believed that they got the best rates for insurance by using a broker.
Preparing to go global
Gordon Drakes, of Fieldfisher, offers franchisors advice on the options available when structuring its franchise for international expansion that can secure the long-term future of the business as a global brand.
Avoiding liability for the actions of your franchisees
Nicola Broadhurst, of Stevens & Bolton, discusses the extent to which a franchisor can be held responsible for the acts and failures of its franchisees, and how franchisors should take precautions to avoid liablity for a franchisee’s negligence.