EDITORIAL & PUBLISHING EDITOR
Annie Blinkhorn
annie.blinkhorn@vmgl.com
DEPUTY EDITOR Katie Shevlin
katie.shevlin@
vmgl.com
PRODUCTION & DESIGN Xevi Soler
xevi.soler@
vmgl.com
Rebecca Spencer
rebecca.spencer@vmgl.com
PUBLISHING DIRECTOR Tracy Shah
...........................................
ADVERTISING FRANCHISE SALES DIRECTOR Adrian Goodsell 020 8394 5226
adrian.goodsell@vmgl.com
MEDIA ACCOUNT MANAGER Annie Hogan 020 8394 5281
annie.hogan@vmgl.com
MEDIA SALES EXECUTIVE Madi Nazir
020 8394 5283
madihah.nazir@
vmgl.com ...........................................
SUBSCRIPTIONS 020 8394 5215
subscribe@businessfranchise.com www.businessfranchise.com
...........................................
BRITISH FRANCHISE ASSOCIATION 01235 820 470
www.thebfa.org
Editorial and advertisements for companies featured in Business Franchise (BF) represent neither endorsement nor recommendation of such companies by VMG nor its employees. Readers are advised to seek franchising advice before entering into any contract with companies or persons mentioned in BF editorial and advertisements.
Asking the right questions A
ccording to an academic study, there are ‘36 questions that can make you fall in love with anyone’. The questions one asks range from the
trivial-seeming ‘Given the choice of anyone in the world, whom would you want as a dinner guest?’ to the more probing: ‘How close and warm is your family? Do you feel your childhood was happier than most other people’s?’ The whole exercise is then topped off by staring directly into the eyes of your fellow questioner for four whole minutes. (Four minutes? Are we allowed to blink?) Then... ta-dah! Cupid strikes (allegedly)! Such is the power of asking the right kind of questions. Not that I’m suggesting you will develop a debilitating crush on your franchisor (although they are, on average, 14% more attractive than other people*) although you may fall in love with your working life, which can be no bad thing! Franchisors and professional advisors alike
repeatedly stress the importance of carrying out what is referred to as “due diligence”, which simply means to thoroughly investigate a business, or a person, before signing a contract. The best way to achieve this is to start asking the questions you really want the answers to. Any franchisor worth their salt will be able to supply you with answers and information – if not straight away, they should be able to get back to you. “Where,” I hear you now asking, “can I meet a variety of franchisors to whom I can put my 36 or so questions to see if we’ll hit it off?” I’m delighted to tell you that the first
of 2015’s National Franchise Exhibitions is about to take place (20 and 21 February, Birmingham NEC) and there you will be able to gather as much information on franchising, franchise brands and how to grow your own business, as you could possibly want. Turn to page 33 for the official Show Guide, with details of the inspirational features at the event and a comprehensive list of exhibiting brands, industry professionals, finance providers and consultants. There are also questions you should ask of yourself. Among these are: How well suited are you to the brand or industry you are considering? Are you prepared to put in a lot of hard work, especially to begin with? What are your strengths and, perhaps more pertinently – and it’s the time to be completely honest here – what are your weaknesses? The answers you give to this latter question do not necessarily rule you out when it comes to franchising as some companies will provide assistance in certain areas of the business, such as accounting or sales.
The most important question, however, is: will you seize the day – and make this spring a time to effect a change?
*possibly not a scientific fact
Annie Blinkhorn Editor
editor@businessfranchise.com
©2015. Venture Marketing Group Ltd. All rights reserved. ‘BUSINESS FRANCHISE’ is a trademark of Venture Marketing Group Ltd (VMG). Copyright will be enforced for all features and design. Reproductions permitted by payment of reprint fees. BUSINESS FRANCHISE (BF) is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, without the consent of the publishers, be reproduced, given or lent, resold, hired out or otherwise disposed of by way of trade, except at the full retail price and that it shall not be given, lent, resold hired out or otherwise disposed of in any mutilated condition, or in any unauthorised cover by way of trade or affixed to or part of any publication or advertising, literary or pictorial mattr whatsoever. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy of information in BF at time of going to press, VMG does not guarantee responsibility for any errors or omissions, or for the consequences of actions based on data contained herein. Contributions are welcome but VMG accepts no responsibility for submitted material. Views expressed in BF do not necessarily reflect those of VMG nor its employees. Investment levels stated may or may not include VAT – always check investment levels with the franchisor. BUSINESS FRANCHISE is published by Venture Marketing Group, 2nd Floor, 2-4 St Georges Road, London SW19 4DP. Telephone 020 8394 5200 ISSN 0955-789X Newsstand sales & marketing by Imagine, London. Tel: 0845 612 0092 Email:
anything@imaginemag.net www.imaginemag.net Distribution: Advantage, Circulation Dept, 5th Floor, Northcliffe House, 2 Derry Street, London, W8 5TT
www.anladvantage.co.uk • Finding your nearest stockist is easy, visit
www.anladvantage.co.uk/WhereToBuy.aspx and enter your postcode.
6 |
Businessfranchise.com | March 2015
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 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112