Niche is the word

Whether they offer flexibility in their working hours, an unusual product or service, or a unique way of doing things, it pays to be different in franchising.

Natalie Hoare investigates six franchises that blend unique challenges with special opportunities

 

The Advertising Bike Company

The Advertising Bike Company (ABC) carries advertisements via an eye-catching three-wheeled cycle fitted with a double-sided ‘ad pod' that can hold two large posters. The cycles can temporarily be immersed in a range of environments - city centres, busy events and retail parks - and, once they're parked up, their riders can draw further attention by distributing leaflets, fielding enquiries and - in a futuristic twist - the cycles can even beam adverts to passing mobile-phone users via a Bluetooth-enabled box fitted inside.

"It's a new innovative, yet affordable twist on advertising," says Steve Lydiatt, managing director of ABC. "And even in the recession we've never been busier - our competitive prices are really attractive to advertisers."
The ABC concept, which has been operating successfully in the north of England for six years, is now available through numerous nationwide franchise opportunities, either as a one-man operation, alongside another similar business, or as a management franchise, if several cycles are owned.

"This is an exciting, ethical and fun business opportunity for enthusiastic and outgoing individuals who like working outdoors and talking to people," says Steve. "You don't need to be super fit, but it helps to have a good level of fitness and, in terms of working hours, you can be as flexible as you like."
Potential franchisees can get the business up and running very quickly with few upfront costs or overheads (the cycles costs £2,950 each). "When you typically sell advertising media to clients at £300-£350 per cycle per day, you'll get a return on investment very quickly," says Steve. "Some licensees have made their money back in the first few months of operation - and you can always have more than one bike."

 

Total Investment:
From £9,995 plus VAT
Website: www.advertisingbikeco.net
Email: franchise@advertisingbikeco.net
Phone: 0845 129 8974 or 07712 887 551
Classification: Outdoor advertising

 

FunkyDiva

Whether it's a birthday or dinner party, a corporate event, wedding or a ‘just because' bash, one crucial ingredient is music. Established in Denmark in 2007 and introduced to the UK last year, the FunkyDiva franchise is very straightforward: a rental service of state-of-the-art touch-screen jukeboxes, each containing 10,000 regularly updated songs. On average, it takes just 20 minutes to set up and demonstrate, representing a low-maintenance, high-demand product.

"The cost to hire a FunkyDiva jukebox is £220 for up to 24 hours, including delivery and collection," says Jan Tovarys, founder and managing director of FunkyDiva Music UK. "The idea is to simply turn this over as many times as you can, as and when it suits you. The average is five or six rentals per machine, per month."

The return on investment is usually within seven or eight months, according to Jan. And there's no limit to the number of machines you run. If you owned six or seven machines, for example, you can expect to earn between £50,000 and 60,000 a year.

Currently, three FunkyDiva franchises operate in the UK, so there are numerous nationwide opportunities. But how's the business faring in the current downturn?

"We're going well in spite of the economic environment and are actually growing at 40-50 per cent a month," says Jan. "Considering we've only been around 12 months, it's quite encouraging. People seem to party on regardless and, if anything, they are celebrating at home more now."
Previous experience in the events or entertainment industry would be useful, but not essential. "As long as prospective franchisees are entrepreneurial, reliable and enthusiastic, we'd be happy to hear from you," says Jan.

 

Total Investment:
£9,000 plus VAT
Website: www.funkydivamusic.com
Email: jt@funkydivamusic.com
Phone: 020 8320 1245
Classification: Distribution, wholesale and vending

 

The Hairforce

The Hairforce is a mobile nit and head lice elimination service that forgoes the use of chemicals and is conducted entirely by hand. Since it was established in London three years ago, the company boasts a 100 per cent clearance record, relieving thousands of children (and adults) from the bugs.
When you consider that more than half of the nation's four to 11 year olds - some three million kids - suffer from head lice every year, combined with the fact that the pests are believed to have become resistant to 80 per cent of the chemical treatments, those with an eye for an opportunity will see the potential.

"The cost to clear an average infestation is £40 per one-and-a-half hour session - and most people need three sessions, usually via a home visit -though The Hairforce does do school visits," explains founder Dee Wright. "And, if franchisees saw 1,200 people a year, it would generate an income of £96,000 - pre-costs."

During their treatment, clients are made to feel very comfortable in a specially designed chair and are kept entertained by the latest computer games, magazines and DVDs.

"We can offer an intelligent, effective and smart service that restores people's confidence after a head lice infestation," says Dee. "And from the point of view of potential franchisees, The Hairforce - Lice Assassins offers a modern, flexible and nurturing part-time employment model that would be ideal for entrepreneurial mums or couples looking to run a small business from home."

And with the nit and lice product market currently estimated to be worth £30 million, Dee is hoping to roll out the concept via a crack team of lice assassins who are "excited by the concept, obsessed about delivering excellent customer service, understand the value of meticulous attention to detail, and have real integrity."

 

Total Investment:
£20,000 plus VAT
Website: www.thehairforce.co.uk
Email: dee@thehairforce.co.uk
Phone: 07720 838 271
Phone: Health and beauty

Racing Challenge

Racing Challenge was established seven years ago and is built around the provision of a mobile formula one racing simulator that is ideal for anything from children's parties, anniversaries and birthdays, to team-building days and corporate events. Up to eight players of any age can compete against one another on the world's most well-known racing circuits, sitting in adjacent replica racing car seats.

Potential franchisees can choose between two ‘business-in-a-box' models; the Super 8 and Super 4 franchises. The former is the larger of the two, commanding a bigger level of investment in exchange for eight racing simulators fitted inside a generously proportioned lorry with optional hospitality awning - ideal for large parties and corporate events. The Super 4 franchise is better suited to private parties at half the size, with four games consoles and seats fitted inside a 12-foot (3.66-metre) trailer, which can be towed to all the places the Super 8 can't go.

With more than one million birthdays celebrated each week in the UK, together with numerous corporate opportunities, combined with the low overheads and flexibility of running a Racing Challenge franchise (this could be run part-time or alongside a compatible business), there are currently 30 franchises up for grabs.

"We're looking for people who are outgoing, strong communicators who relish the idea of hosting events," says company founder Mike Yeats. "An interest in motor racing is helpful, but not essential. This wouldn't suit anyone looking for a nine-to-five franchise - the events industry doesn't work like that."

In exchange for their investment, franchisees will receive training and support, their own liveried Racing Challenge vehicle complete with racing car simulators, an exclusive territory, a media launch and promotional support, and the reward of providing a fun-filled, thrilling day at the races for hundreds of people.

Total Investment:
£24,920 (Super 4),
£52,250 (Super 8), plus VAT
Website: www.racing-challenge.com
email: sue@racing-challenge.com
Phone: 01993 845 428
Classification: Events, marketing and promotion, and children's entertainment

 

SphereMania

With SphereMania, you could be in the business of helping folk to suspend their normal lives momentarily to reach speeds of up to 30 miles per hour rolling down a hill inside a giant ball.

Established for more than a decade, Sphering is the ‘adventure sport' of tearing down a hill inside an inflatable plastic sphere; Eclipse Sphering is at night time and Aqua Sphering just adds 30 litres of water to the mix: "Ever wondered what it feels like to be in a washing machine? Of course you have," says Spheremania.

A SphereMania franchise can be run at your own pace but with all the back up you need to make it a success, says Spheremania Director Robert Price.
"In return for an investment of £27,000, you'll get a territory with a 20-mile radius, one Sphere, a trailer, insurance, health and safety training, and a certificate, an operations manual, links to a bookings and a centralised management system," he says. "It's a complete package that's ready to go."
SphereMania operates through three outlets in Spain and 11 in the UK and there are currently 20 franchises available across the UK that are open to all.

"Our existing franchisees are from a huge range of backgrounds," says Robert. "And as the main business takes place between April and September (sphering isn't suitable in winter), some of our franchisees spend the rest of the year, when they're not working, travelling."

Even in these belt-tightening times, according to Robert, the average turnover of a Spheremania franchise is between £80,000 and £100,000, and as most operate for an average of 70 days a year, it certainly seems like an enticing, if unusual, business opportunity.

 

Total Investment:
£27,000 plus VAT
Website: www.spheremania.com
email: headoffice@spheremania.com
Phone: 07932 996 620
Classification: Leisure