Take ten low cost franchises
A low cost franchise is a good way to get started. Here are some great ideas from selling sweets and advertising to pet sitting
Razzamataz
Cost: £8,000 plus VAT
Razzamataz Theatre Schools was set up in 2000 for young people with an interest in dance, singing and theatrical skills. Founder Denise Hutton-Gosney says: “The franchise package provides everything you need to start your business. You are literally buying a business in a box. The one-week training course covers everything from bookkeeping, accounts and child protection to healthy and safety, PR and marketing.”
Sweetsellers
Cost: £6,995 plus VAT
Boxes of high quality traditional sweets and healthy snacks are placed in businesses, so employees can buy on an honesty basis. A percentage of the money collected is donated to Bliss, a charity for premature and sick babies. Sweetsellers offers immediate returns, high turnover and flexibility.
Marla Custom Blinds
Cost: £14,500
Marla Custom Blinds manufactures and fits blinds, awnings and canopies for domestic, commercial and contract customers. Franchisor Martin Froud says: “The investment required is £14,500, however we would consider waiving the £6,000 franchisee fee for our first two foundation franchisees.”
Wildchilds
Cost: £7,995 plus VAT
Wildchilds organises children’s themed parties, adults and family parties, entertainers, special events, event equipment hire, costume hire, party planning and wedding services. Founder Hilary Dunne says: “Franchisees need to be outgoing and extremely motivated. It can be hard work, but the business is great fun.”
The Advertising Bike Company
Cost: £9,995 plus VAT
This franchise provides high-impact mobile poster advertising campaigns using pedal-powered advertising bikes. Typically the rate card for a bike is £300 per day (excluding additional income streams from poster production and Bluetooth advertising).
Baby2body
Cost: £5,000
Baby2body provides health and fitness training to pregnant women and new mothers. The package covers training in pre and post-natal coaching and the operating of the business. Founder Melinda Nicci says: “Trainers would need a level two gym instructors qualification, which we can help to organise. The business is cost effective as no dedicated premises are needed. Space can be rented on an hourly basis when needed, or classes can be held in local parks.”
Boogie bounce
Cost: c. £6,000
Part-time franchise, Boogie Bounce, provides exercise classes using a trampoline. Franchisees can organise classes to fit around their lifestyle and generally run seven to nine one-hour classes each week. Each person pays between £3.50 and £5.50 per class, depending on location, earning an annual salary of around £20,000.
PETsits
Cost: £1,500 plus VAT
Animal lovers can invest in this extremely low cost pet-sitting franchise, which can be developed on a part-time or full-time basis. Running the operation part-time could earn you £900 per month and full-time earnings can be more than £2,000 per month. There is a monthly management service fee of £30 plus VAT.
Travel Counsellors
Cost: £10,000 plus VAT
Leading independent travel company Travel Counsellors offers people with a passion for travel and a commitment to customer service the opportunity to train on its unique Travel Academy training course. Readers of the Guardian, Observer and Guardian Unlimited voted Travel Counsellors Travel Agent of the Year for two consecutive years in 2006 and 2007.
Sameday UK
Cost: £7,500
Franchisees do not need to do any selling or marketing with this same-day delivery service as all orders are taken by head office and then allocated to a franchisee in the relevant area. There’s no need for premises either.
