Franchise Consultancy

The Franchise Company is probably the largest independent franchise consultancy practice in the UK, offering a comprehensive range of services.  Our projects timeframes vary, from a few month to years (we have a number of clients who have been with us for over a decade!). Our step-by-step approach means that clients are firmly in control of their development costs. With extensive operational experience (much of it at board level), we are able to provide support in just about every aspect of franchising.

In line with our client’s individual needs we have developed four approaches to creating a new franchise system. We would be delighted to have an initial telephone discussion with you to identify which approach will best suit your business needs.

1   Entry Package

The Entry Package is designed for smaller businesses and is a cost effective approach to getting started with your franchise development. This package provides everything you need to effectively launch a franchise into the market place where the franchise system and business model is straightforward (possibly operating from a home base). Our fee is £9,995 (plus VAT), and the package includes:

• A detailed business review of the existing operation
• Preparation of the franchise model, based on the initial business review
• Production of appropriate financial models for potential franchisees
• Production of  income forecast for the franchisor’s business based on agreed recruitment numbers of the pilot franchisees
• A brief report outlining the rationale and recommendations for your franchise model.
• A franchise recruitment plan, with appropriate documentation
• Preparation of ‘copy’ content for use in a recruitment brochure/prospectus
• Franchise operating manual template
• Complete briefing document for use with a franchise agreement

At the end of this stage you would have a clear understanding of what is involved in franchising and be ready to launch your franchise. The legal cost re the production of the franchise agreement is not included but this can be completed at a later stage during the recruitment process or when your first franchisee has paid a deposit.  For further information on this package, please call Mashud Choudhury or Ken Rostron on 01325 251455.

2   Bespoke Package Consultancy

The Bespoke Package is a comprehensive consultancy programme designed for larger or more complex franchise models.  This package includes:

• Indepth business review of the existing business model
• Development of the franchise format detailing the roles and responsibilities of the franchisor and the franchisee
• Franchisor and franchisee financial models identifying the potential income and profit levels for both parties
• Franchise competitor analysis
• Overall assessment of the commercial viability of the franchise system
• Preparation of a detailed recruitment programme for new franchisees including the production of template recruitment documentation
• Production of the franchise recruitment brochure copy plus design brief
• Development of a pro-forma business plan that can be used by  prospective franchisees for bank funding
• Franchise operating manual containing all the relevant information required to run the business linked to the franchise agreement and  induction training
• An induction training programme (theory & practical) for all new franchisees
• Detailed briefing document re the franchise agreement
• Introduction to banks franchise units re raising finance for franchisees
• Assistance with application for membership to the British Franchise Association
• Production of a comprehensive project report including clear guidelines re how to successfully franchise your business

Our bespoke service is tailored to your particular business needs. We can give an indication of fees and timescales after we have met to discuss your business requirements in more depth. For further information about this package, please call Julie Waites or Ken Rostron on 01325 251455.

3   Partnership Programme

This programme is designed for those clients who require a far greater level of involvement from us with their franchise development.  It often begins with the bespoke package and as that develops the clients recognises the benefits to them of using The Franchise Company as their ‘in house’ franchise department. Once the franchise packaging exercise is completed we then become involved in recruiting and monitoring the franchisees until such time as the franchisor is ready to take control of all day to day matters, (usually after 12 months).  For further information on this package, please call Ken Rostron on 01325 251455.

4   Project Consultancy

Our Project Consultancy programme is designed to give support with specific projects. This can include a wide range of activities, including:

• Assistance with franchisee recruitment
• Development of a new operating manual
• Creation of marketing materials
• Assistance with franchise network management
• Dispute resolution

Whatever the requirement is, we can discuss the project in hand and provide you with the necessary help and advice. For further information regarding this package, please feel free to call us on 01325 251455.

5   Franchise Package Workshop

The Franchise Package workshop offers a 2 days intensive programme for prospective franchisors interested in taking a rapid and cost effective approach to developing their franchise system. The workshop is entirely focused on your business model (only one company attends each course) and takes you and key members of your management team through the initial stages of developing or creating your franchise system.

The workshop will provide you with a clear understanding of the principles of franchising and licensing, including what is involved in establishing a successful franchise business model. The workshop will cover the following areas:

• The 'typical' approach to franchising in the UK or overseas. Package - Pilot - Roll Out
• An introduction to franchising and licensing
• Intellectual property
• Discussion of identify which fits best for the client
• Review the key documents, including the Franchise Agreement and the Operating Manual
• Explain territory principles and discuss the best options for the client
• How to create a viable franchise start up package to be offered to the first (pilot) franchisees, including initial support from the franchisor
• Review likely ongoing support and fee structure for the franchisor
• Identify the total capital investment required for the business and therefore the minimum personal capital investment required from a franchisee
• Brief review of funding options for franchisees
• Identify return on investment for franchisee
• Develop a profile for the ideal franchisee candidate
• Outline the recruitment options available to attract the 'typical' franchisee
• Develop the recruitment process most suitable for the particular franchise system and provide sample documents
• Review the activity and remaining elements that are necessary to establish and expand the franchise network in the UK

Outcomes

• Produce the draft start up package for new franchisees and a budget for the franchisor's anticipated obligations and support
• Prepare a summary of the operating forecasts for the franchisee for their first 24 months trading and to to assess viability from the franchisees perspective
• Review the franchisors income streams to indicate viability
• Review key documents and funding options
• Produce the recruitment process and documentation in chronological order of actions, from placing advertising to accepting the deposits
• Identify the most appropiate territory policy
• Identify the critical factors affecting success
• Review the next steps

The fee for the workshop is £2,200 (plus VAT). This allows for attendance for up to three delegates from the same company and also includes a suite of working documents, suitable to the clients particular needs and their proposed franchise model. The workshop can be located either at our Darlington offices or at a location suitable for the client. For further information, please contact Ken Rostron on 01325 251455.