How a van can really help you to drive up business
IF YOU enjoy life on the road, a mobile franchise might suit you.
Luke Hodgson, 27, is a franchisee with Snap- on, selling tools and storage to vehicle technicians.
The software engineering graduate, who opened a franchise in Bletchley, Buckinghamshire, says: ‘My van gets me from customer to customer, but there is more to it than driving.
‘The van is a showroom and giant mobile advert — when I drive into a garage or dealership, technicians crowd round to see what’s new. It’s part office, part meeting place and, for my customers, part sweetshop.’
Luke joined Snap-on in 2011 and has expanded into three territories. Sales are as important as driving: his average weekly sales are more than £10,000, and in 2015 he turned over half a million pounds.
‘ You don’t need business knowledge to make it big with a franchise,’ he says. ‘Age and experience is not the key — it’s hard work and determination.’
When considering mobile franchises, check what route planning help they supply. Lisa Law, national franchise manager at Snap-on, says: ‘We use software to create a route to 20 garages a day to maximise sales time and minimise driving.
‘Don’t discount van franchises on scope for growth. Most are designed to be owner-operated, but can be expanded to a multi-van model. Among our franchisees, 15 per cent own multiple vans and territories.’
The cost of a Snap-on franchise is £73,537 including a week’s training in Texas, stock, IT systems and support. You could also start with £16,037 plus a Snap-on loan.
NEXT week is Scottish Franchise Week, including a seminar for prospective franchisees on April 25 in Glasgow and a business breakfast on April 26 with speaker Josh Littlejohn, co-founder of sandwich shop chain Social Bite, which employs people from homeless backgrounds and donates profits to charity. Visit thebfa.org/sfw. Contact Snap-on at 01235 831 053.