Having originally been a franchisee, I then turned from poacher to gamekeeper, became a franchise development manager and finally reached the giddy heights of being a franchisor myself! In short, over the years I have sat on both sides of the fence and seen the franchise business from just about every perspective. I have seen the good, the
bad and the downright ugly.
I remember my very first experience at a franchise exhibition back in the days of yore and frankly more people would have attended a Sam Cooke convention than the total number of exhibitors and visitors in this particular exhibition hall. (“Sam who?” you may ask.
My point exactly.) In fact, I think most visitors were expecting to be sold a time share! Certainly, there was no real concept of what franchising involved, coupled with a very limited offering in terms of business opportunities or markets within which to be self-employed. Over the first few years at these exhibitions, I saw many would-be
franchisors launch in a blaze of glory and then very quickly fade away. I’d be lying to say it was an auspicious
start for franchising. The venues were tatty, the coffee was appalling and the bacon sandwiches distinctly lacked bacon!
Being of a positive mind, I knew things could only get better and standards would rise. The long road ahead had to begin with one step. I believe the most beneficial influence on franchising over the last 25 years has been the introduction of the industry’s regulatory body – the British Franchise Association (BFA). This was an organisation conceived to do three main things: Firstly, it promotes the franchising concept throughout the UK – a job
it’s doing pretty well. The joint British Franchise Association (BFA) and NatWest study 2006 says the value of the market has increased by £500m on the previous year, and by 44 per cent in the last decade.
Latest figures show British franchise businesses now have a record combined annual turnover of £10.8bn and are responsible for the employment of 364,000 people. The BFA also undertakes to regulate the quality of companies
wishing to become franchise operations – in other words identifying and keeping out ‘cowboy’ outfits – and it promotes and polices the ethics and ethos that a responsible franchisor should demonstrate at all levels. In contrast, my own personal mission has been to raise the quality of those bacon sandwiches so beloved of franchise exhibitions!
On a more serious note, I will be taking the opportunity in this column to highlight some of the many positive steps that have been taken by franchisors in their endeavours to enhance their offerings to their franchisees. I will be very happy to shout from the rooftops in praise of responsible franchise businesses that have done a great job, but equally I shall condemn without hesitation the practices of those that in my view fall short of the mark.
In addition, I hope to include in future issues some Q&A sessions focussing on your concerns and queries, especially for those of you about to part with hard earned ‘dosh’ to pursue self-employment within the franchise arena. So
please do send in your questions, comments or experiences of franchising and I’ll do my best to cover as much ground as possible.
In short, Bignell Bites Back will be a straightforward but light-hearted look at an industry that has up until now been shrouded in mystery. Franchising is enormous fun and a fantastic way to become your own boss, but not all franchise opportunities are what they seem. So, watch this space for a few inside hints and tips before you embark on
what could be the time of your life! |
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