FRANCHISE NEWS The latest reports from businesses in franchising
New franchise launch
n YO! Sushi, the largest sushi restaurant business in the UK, has announced it will open its first US restaurant in June at the iconic Union Station in Washington DC.
In line with the company’s
international expansion to date, the Washington opening is a franchise deal. Franchisees Richard Pawlowski and Darren Wightman have signed a 10-site development deal and expect to open at least two restaurants in different locations by the end of 2012 in the Washington DC area. Mr Pawlowski already operates 36 casual dining outlets as a franchisee with three other US brands and Mr Wightman is a former executive chef for YO! Sushi in the UK. Alison Vickers, YO! Sushi’s business development director said: “Breaking into the US market is the natural next step for the business as we expand our international presence. The Washington restaurant is the first of many as we are in discussions with several experienced multi-unit franchisees in casual dining to take us to other large metropolitan areas.” The first international YO! Sushi opened in September 2003 in Dubai. Now the company has 12 franchised overseas restaurants and is focused on the Middle East, US and key transport hubs internationally.
Cleaning franchise helps protect neighbourhood
n Domestic cleaning franchise Bright & Beautiful is launching a pilot home security scheme with Greater Manchester Police, which will help to protect the homes and neighbourhoods of people living within the community. The Mobile Homewatch scheme will use a number of the Bright & Beautiful cleaners working in the Trafford area to act as extra eyes and ears to avert crime and to spot and report potential criminal activity. Piloting the scheme with Altrincham police division, the franchise then plans to roll out the support service to its franchise offices across the UK who will work with their own local constabularies.
The Bright & Beautiful cleaning Comment
Running a franchise is one of the few ways of working
in which you can fit the requisite hours needed for business success around the other demands affecting your time and lifestyle. Those with wider family commitments or who simply want to work and play when they prefer, rather than traditional office hours find franchising can work in their favour.
Some sectors, particularly retail-based
business operates 30 franchises across the UK, with five covering Manchester and Cheshire. Set up in 2010 by Rachel Ray, Bright & Beautiful offers an award-winning, ethical and eco-friendly cleaning, tidying, laundry and ironing service. Faye McDonough, who runs the Altrincham and Sale Bright & Beautiful cleaning teams, said: “We pride ourselves on being highly security conscious and working with the police is really a very natural extension of the care we take to look after our clients’ homes and neighbourhoods. For example, we always lock ourselves in the house while we clean and won’t allow anyone into the house who doesn’t live there – meter readers etc – even if they are genuine. Our teams are in these homes during the day, which is just when many burglars will take their chances, thinking that the homes are empty and we’re often quite shocked by how many people leave windows and doors open, don’t set their alarms or leave expensive items or keys on show in their homes. “We are very excited to be working with the police to become a valuable, on-the-ground addition to their team and look forward to rolling this out to other forces across Greater Manchester and nationally.”
How does franchising fit in with my desire to create a flexible work/life balance?
franchises, will have set trading hours, but these businesses also allow the franchisee flexibility once the operation is up and running. Moreover, franchising – whilst it always requires hard work, determination and dedication – ultimately puts you in control. As Dublcheck franchisee Stuart Weatherill says: “The best thing about being your own boss is that you are the architect of your own destiny.”
Carol Stewart-Gill is the founder of Dublcheck, a management franchise that provides commercial cleaning
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Businessfranchise.com | June 2012
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