Franchise Focus
franchisees can expect a wide variety of clientiele – Countrywide’s customer list includes national account contracts and a wide variety of blue-chip clients ranging across the business spectrum including hotels, schools, business parks, hospitals, military bases, and housing associations. The company has developed a strong
reputation for its reliability and quality of service amongst its clients. As Pete confi rms, “Our liveried vans and uniformed workers stand out in an industry that has a poor reputation for professionalism. It is nice to create employment for staff, get them motivated and to see the difference they can make to new sites.” Countrywide offers thorough initial
Ground breaking
Countrywide Grounds Maintenance specialises in a wide range of services with its franchisees building successful high-revenue businesses
INVESTMENT LEVEL: £44,950
most successful franchise networks. With 50 franchised outlets and more than 550 personnel, Countrywide currently operates a multi-million pound turnover maintaining over 12,000 sites across the UK, and contracts that range from £500 per year to over £2 million. Enjoying large exclusive territories, an
A
impressive blue-chip customer base, extensive national accounts and low market penetration, franchisees can expect unlimited growth potential within their territory. Accordingly, franchisees are building high-revenue businesses – some with turnovers in excess of £1,000,000 – and, with net profi ts of more than 20 per cent, ensuring strong fi nancial security for their future. North Yorkshire offi ce franchisee Pete
Morton bought a resale in 2005 and saw his turnover more than double in only fi ve years. He says: “After buying an existing
s well as being an award- winning franchise – bfa Franchisor of the Year 2009 – Countrywide Grounds Maintenance is also one of the UK’s
franchise we have seen turnover rise from £300,000 to £750,000 and still have huge areas of untapped work to explore. We are seen as a professional company who can be trusted with contracts from a few hundred pounds to hundreds of thousands of pounds.” The extensive range of year-round
maintenance that Countrywide Grounds Maintenance provides to its commercial
“We are seen as a professional company who can be trusted with contracts from a few hundred to hundreds of thousands of pounds”
marketplace is comprehensive. Specialist services include grass cutting, sports-pitch marking, pruning, hedge cutting, road sweeping, litter and leaf clearance, hard and soft landscaping, fencing, turfi ng, gritting, snow clearance and tree surgery. As such,
and ongoing training and support. New franchisees receive three weeks’ initial training at head offi ce and on-territory, and also spend time shadowing existing franchisees to fully understand the business. They also benefi t from an initial marketing launch from head offi ce who will also provide ongoing telesales support and source the vast majority of contracts for its franchisees. The Countrywide franchise investment
level starts at £44,950 plus VAT with some further working capital required. Included within this franchise package is everything needed to start the business, including equipment, manuals, software, uniforms, stationery, and much more. Franchisees are carefully selected to
maintain Countrywide’s outstanding brand reputation and ensure a mutually successful future for both parties. There are some new territories currently available and a limited number of resales. Countrywide is currently seeking
applicants who are ambitious, motivated, enthusiastic, reasonably fi t and possess good people skills. Previous gardening or horticulture experience is not required as extensive training is provided. After a decade working in offi ce jobs
Anthony Joyce decided on a complete change of direction, investing in a resale in Teesside. After increasing turnover by a third in only nine months, he has never looked back. He says: “ We had no experience in grounds maintenance whatsoever but with the support of head offi ce and other franchisees this hasn’t been a problem and we now can’t think of a single reason why we can’t grow on and on from here.”
COUNTRYWIDE
WEBSITE:
www.countrywidegrounds.com/ franchise
EMAIL: t.worthington@countrywidegrounds. com
PHONE: 0800 234 567 CLASSIFICATION: Business services
May 2012 |
Businessfranchise.com | 59
Investment: £20k-£50k
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100