Take the wheel
Hristo Yankov ra n a restaura nt before becoming a Fantastic Services fra nchisee. Today, he is the master fra nchisee for Oxfordshire, employing
more than 60 professionals who provide cleaning, gardening, and handyman services.
Fantastic Services
What did you do before franchising and what prompted you to make the change? Before my franchise endeavour, I was running a restaurant with my wife. It was a bit of a hassle and very repetitive. At times, I had the feeling I was re-living the same day. Overall, we weren't happy with our business and we were seeking an alternative.
How did you fi nd out about franchising and this brand in particular? I found Fantastic Services through an ad a few years ago. They were looking to increase their presence in Oxfordshire through franchising and I was already quite familiar with this business model. The franchise opportunity itself was low entry and I could see a return on my investment within months with the forecast they offered me. So I talked to my wife, Vanya, and we decided to give it a try.
Describe the process for getting on board – how long did it take? The franchise onboarding was a straightforward process. From getting in touch to signing the agreement and going operational, it took less than a month. At fi rst, we were negotiating with company agents, but we had the chance to speak with higher management later on and discuss a business plan. We started with three teams of professional cleaners and were doing jobs from day one.
What attracted you to this franchise opportunity? I did some research on the brand and I was impressed with how the company was
started from scratch. In just a few years, they were operating internationally and had over 300 franchises. Obviously, they knew what they were doing and their growth rate was quite impressive. In business, I believe that numbers speak – and those numbers spoke to me of success.
What was the initial training and support like? Fantastic Services has a helpful online training platform. It is very simple to navigate and provides all the necessary information to start your business. Once we had our vehicles and professional equipment, a quality control offi cer came to Oxford to train us. He spent two weeks with us, coming to every job, making sure our work was up to standard.
How was trading in the beginning and how is business today? Our schedule was full from the beginning. We are lucky to be operating in an area with a great demand for quality property maintenance and improvement services. Business today is better than ever! In fact, 2019 marks our elevation to a master franchise for the territory of Oxfordshire and we are proud to say that we have over 60 professionals who roam the area in our branded vans.
How has life changed since you launched your franchise? We did close the restaurant but I have no regrets. I am happy with how we managed to grow our current business. I had to acquire valuable leadership
skills along the way and I learned many important lessons throughout the years. I believe that working with so many people has made me a better businessman and a better person.
What are the benefi ts of operating a van- based franchise? If you love to move around, meet different people and be physically active, then this could be something that you'll enjoy. You get to earn a living and stay fi t; to me, that is a win-win.
What qualities do franchisees need to operate a van-based franchise and to be a successful franchisee? With a van-based franchise, the most common hassles are traffi c, congestion, parking and keeping your vehicle presentable. Therefore, time management is key to your success.
I think the most important thing to be
a successful franchisee is to learn from the experiences of others and take initiative. And don't be afraid of making mistakes – they will only make you better at what you do.
Do you have any other advice for aspiring franchisees? Let's take a step back from the franchise label for a moment. What you are doing is running a business. People depend on you, so you have to step up and be a leader. So, lead by example, never shirk your responsibilities, empower the people around you, and create a team culture. This will go a long way.
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