Palletways plc

Palletways is a major player in the UK logistics, freight services and palletised goods sector. The company's nationwide pallet delivery freight service is handled by 80 plus 'member' companies, who utilise each other's resources to provide a range of unique customer benefits.

Having gained a major share of the UK market, the company decided to export its successful UK business model by seeking 'master franchise partners' in the key European countries.

The Franchise Company were appointed to examine the feasibility of master franchising, to develop a commercially sound master franchise package for key target countries and all of the supporting documentation, and to help recruit the pilot master franchisees.

The pilot master franchise was launched successfully in 2002 (start-up cost circa £500,000 + working capital) and will be the forerunner to Europe-wide roll-out commencing 2003.

CHIPS Franchising Ltd.

CHIPS are one of the UK's leading independent retailers of computer game hardware and software. Based in North East England, CHIPS was established in the early 1980s. The company first looked at franchising in the late 90s, as a result of interest from prospective franchisees, and appointed The Franchise Company to help with developing a viable franchise format and system.

Following a feasibility study, we developed a complete franchise package, infrastructure and business plan. We also developed retail and franchise operations manuals, franchisee training programmes and the franchise agreement, and then launched the franchise at the National Franchise Exhibition at the NEC in October 2000.

We developed and executed a PR campaign, which resulted in the CHIPS franchise getting significant exposure during the launch period in a wide variety of national, local and franchise media, including a front page feature in Business Franchise Magazine.

We are now retained to help the business to achieve national coverage and become the leading independent computer games retailer in the UK, via franchising. 

Contact: Don McCabe (Director). Tel. 01642-658030

Clothes Aid Ltd.

Clothes Aid carries out door-to-door charity clothing collections on behalf of Great Ormond Street Childrens Hospital. The company had been franchising for 3 years when we became involved in 1998 and had 7 franchisees. We were asked to review their entire franchise package and system, including the franchisee training and support programmes, the franchise agreement, the operations manual, marketing literature and franchisee recruitment methods and procedures.

We've developed a new operating manual, new franchisee recruitment materials and franchisee communications systems (including conceiving and helping to deliver the franchisee annual conference), and are now actively involved in ongoing franchisee recruitment, training and support.

Contact: Sam Grace (Manager). Tel. 0207 226 4607

Ovenu Franchising Ltd.

Ovenu is an oven valeting service which was established in 1994 and by 2001 the company had 18 franchisees operating. Ovenu approached The Franchise Company in 2002, seeking help with expanding its operations and further developing its franchise system.

The Franchise Company has assisted Ovenu in a number of areas including its franchise marketing, recruitment and procedures. We've designed and produced new marketing materials and been involved hands-on with recruiting new franchisees.

The Ovenu franchise network has grown from 18 franchisee in 2002 when we first became involved, to over 50 in 2003. Ovenu is currently looking at the possibility of franchising in Europe and has asked The Franchise Company's assistance in this particular area.

Contact: Rik Helliwell (Managing Director). Tel. 0118 973 0734

Great Guns Marketing

Great Guns Marketing is a telemarketing company specialising in outbound business-to-business cold-calling and appointment-making. Based in Basingstoke, the business started trading in 1998 and quickly developed a successful business model that appeared to be suitable for UK-wide development by franchising.

In 2001 The Franchise Company was appointed to carry out a full franchise freasibility study. This indicated that the model was indeed franchisable and that franchising offered significant strategic advantages over other expansion options. We then went on to develop a complete franchise system for the company, including developing all of the franchise network development and management systems, a franchisee recruitment and training programme, the franchise agreement and the franchise operating manual.

The first 'pilot' franchises were successfully recruited and launched in 2002 and through franchising Great Guns Marketing has now become the UK's largest, indeed its only, truly national B2B telemarketing business.

The Franchise Company is now involved hands-on in assisting with the ongoing development and management of the Great Guns Marketing franchise network UK-wide.

Contact: Liz Jackson (Managing Director). Tel. 01256-330571

The Flat Roof Company

The Flat Roof Company markets and installs a revolutionary flat roofing system known as 'Tuffdeck'. Its franchisees operate mobile, van-based Tuffdeck sales and installation businesses in their own protected territory.

The Franchise Company were appointed in 1995 when there were 12 franchisees. Our brief was to review the franchise package and the franchisee recruitment methods, develop a franchise marketing plan and then implement it by recruiting new franchisees.

We developed new franchise marketing recruitment materials and during the assignment were involved hands-on in recruiting new franchisees. We also had input into the company's first national franchisee conference. Since we became involved, the franchise network has grown to over 30 franchisees. We're now working with The Flat Roof Company to develop the concept overseas by master licensing.

Contact: Richard Wolfenden (Director). Tel. 01937-530788

Durham Pine

Durham Pine is a pine furniture retailing operation. They appointed The Franchise Company in 1992, with eight company owned outlets and one pilot franchise store. We were asked to review the franchise package and the franchise agreement, to develop a franchise expansion business plan and to produce a franchise operating manual for franchisees.

We started implementing the plan and helping to recruit new franchisees in 1992 and began the process of developing franchise marketing and recruitment systems and procedures. We also began helping to establish an in-house franchising team and to train them in franchise development and management.

Our input has helped the company become truly a franchising success story. It has expanded to the point where it is now the largest independent specialist pine furniture retail chain in the UK, with nearly 60 outlets (the majority of which are franchised) and a combined group turnover of nearly £40m.