Franchise Focus Breaking new ground
With many innovative changes, last year was an iconic one for Bluebird Care INVESTMENT LEVEL: £35,000
this service within their territory. Over 180 live-in care packages were rolled out, with some offices generating a monthly income in excess of £20,000.
April saw the launch of the new
Bluebird Care Premier Business Group. The group, with its 12 founder members, brings together the most successful businesses in the Bluebird Care network, which receive specialised developmental and strategic support. “We have been aware for some time that the type of support required for a business that is delivering, on a sustained basis, in excess of £1million worth of care a year is different from someone who is just starting up,” said Bluebird Care chief operating officer, Simon Dalziel.
Bluebird Care co-founders Simon Dalziel, Lisa Tarsey and Paul Tarsey B
luebird Care enjoyed another fantastic year in 2013. Now providing in excess of £100million of care annually in the UK and with a 61 per cent increase in revenue, Bluebird
Care continued to achieve record business performances, with increasing numbers of franchisees realising annual turnover from a single office in excess of £2million at year- end. Plans are in place for many of those to realise £3million turnover during 2014. Last year also saw an increase in existing franchise owners expanding their business into new markets and acquiring additional territories. There are now 24 multi-site franchises, the biggest of which has five territories that each deliver in excess of £1million annually. The Bluebird Care brand continues to attract business-minded, high-quality franchise owners, with a further 28 offices added to the network during the year. “Franchise opportunities still exist in most parts of the UK and our strong brand reputation for providing high-quality care is an advantage for prospective Bluebird Care franchise owners,” says Annetta Doyle, franchise recruitment manager. Success in the UK and beyond saw
Bluebird Care and Interim Healthcare join forces in September to form one of the largest care franchisors in the world. Interim Healthcare are the most established US care franchisor, having been formed in 1966. They currently have over 300 franchised offices throughout the US.
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Kathleen Gilmartin, president and CEO of Interim Healthcare Inc Group says: “Our interest in Bluebird Care was driven by the fact that the founders have created a durable, scalable and profitable model of care that is delivered by a strong network of franchise owners. The fit within Interim Healthcare Group is good, as we have a large successful network throughout the US.”
The senior management of Bluebird
Care, Paul and Lisa Tarsey and Simon Dalziel, remain with the company, enabling Bluebird Care to continue to execute its continued growth strategy in the UK. Bluebird Care’s chief operating officer, Simon Dalziel, comments: “Prospective franchise owners can have confidence in the knowledge that this strategic partnership has materialised after detailed analysis of the Bluebird Care business by Interim Healthcare Group. This really proves the strength of the franchisor business.” The live-in care desk, introduced at the end of 2012, really took off in 2013. The service, which is based at head office and managed by live-in care coordinator Leigh McDonald, has been successfully introduced to the network for both new and existing franchise owners. A live-in care assistant enables customers with full-time care needs to continue living in their own home and this service provided a huge opportunity for franchise owners to develop their business further. Last year, the live-in care desk enabled over 60 Bluebird Care offices to provide
Franchise owner and one of the group’s founder members, Paul Barry says: “This is a great initiative. I joined Bluebird Care in May 2010 and now run five Bluebird Care franchises, and I have seen the brand grow substantially during my time. Bringing successful franchise owners together through the Premier Business Group has been extremely beneficial to me. I have changed my business as a result of the discussions and meetings we have had.” In October, the next two members to join the Premier Business Group were Larry Berkowitz (Bluebird Care Barnet) and Melvyn Plum (Bluebird Care Colchester) – and 2014 is set to see a further five franchise owners added to the group. n
BLUEBIRD CARE
WEBSITE:
www.bluebirdcare.co.uk EMAIL:
franchises@bluebirdcare.co.uk PHONE: 01730 260 026 CLASSIFICATION: Care
“The type of support required for a business that is delivering in excess of £1million worth of care a year is different from someone who is just starting up”
Investment: £20k-£50k
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