Special Features

Child's play

The children's and pets markets are two of the most successful franchise sectors to work in. John Bensalhia speaks to franchisors to find out why you should work with children or animals Read more

Service charge

Franchisees with experience in the service sector appear to make a seamless transition into the industry. Carol Davis delves deeper Read more

Ladies first

There's no doubt women are still not making the most of themselves in the franchise industry. Carol Davis looks at the evidence and makes the case for change Read more

Something old, someone new

With the number of resales on the increase in the UK, John Bensalhia speaks to three industry experts to find out the reasons for this growth and their predictions for the future... Read more

 

Print and profit

Talk of paperless offices resulting from the emergence of digital technology - most notably, the internet - once sent shivers along the backbone of businesses in the printing and print-related industries. However, contrary to early portents, the sector is thriving, and the use of ink and paper in both domestic and business environments has increased. Here Matt Pigott looks at a handful of franchise opportunities hot off the press... Read more

 

Wheels of fortune

With about 30 million vehicles on the roads, few areas lend themselves more readily to franchising than the automotive sector. In an industry often tainted by the dubious actions of cowboy operators, franchising provides a sense of cohesion, quality and consistency of service that can offer peace of mind to both operator and customer. Matt Pigott puts the high beam on a handful of well-established franchise propositions... Read more

 

Housing benefits

As experts predict an economic downturn and a shuddering halt to rising house prices, franchisors in the home improvement sector are licking their lips. Carol Davis explains why... Read more

 

First class

John Bensalhia meets a group of franchisees who have all been with their respective businesses for about a year. He finds out their stories and asks what progress they have made... Read more

 

Reigning in the pounds

The fitness franchise industry is worth about £10 billion each year, with 6 per cent annual growth projections. With the government and various medical bodies intent on tackling obesity - not to mention Jamie Oliver -- there's never been a better time to invest in a fitness franchise. Matt Pigott takes a jog around the franchising block to see what opportunities there are on offer... Read more

 

We need a hero

Richard Watson, aka Franchise Man, dons his cape and prepares to battle the evil forces within the franchise industry. Read on to find out if he triumphs... Read more

 

Know good advice

With the annual London exhibition taking place in April, many of you will be thinking about joining a franchise. Here are some sound words of advice from top franchisors and franchisees, as compiled by John Bensalhia...

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