Franchise consultancy riding crest of a wave as sector gears up for key event
● Success of Platinum Wave comes as study says sector will soon be worth £1bn
Franchise consultancy Platinum Wave is gearing up for Scottish Franchise Week by booking a record year of business.
The firm, which is headed by industry expert Suzie Mccafferty, is crediting its success to winning some major contracts, as well as working closely with one of Scotland’s largest franchisors. Platinum has more than doubled its turnover in the last year, cementing its place as one of the top franchise consultancies in the UK. Recent key contract wins have included Scottish food brands Oink and Crolla’s Gelateria.
The firm also works closely with Glasgow-based food and retail entrepreneur Athif Sarwar – a major franchisor with hundreds of stores under brands such as Usave, as well as owning the German Don- er Kebab (GDK) brand worldwide.
GDK currently has 60 franchises across 12 countries, with further ambitious expansion plans in place. Platinum Wave is currently assisting in launching Sarwar’s brands internationally, targeting Europe, North America and the Middle East.
The franchise consultancy is currently assisting clients, including dance and theatre group Razzamataz Theatre Schools and home care franchise Right at Home, increase their presence in Scotland.
Mccafferty is a former international franchisor who took her own Scottish retail business to 70 outlets in six countries. She also built up a multi-million-pound recruitment agency franchise network and is the long-standing chairperson of the Scottish Franchise Forum.
She said: “Franchising is flourishing currently on a global scale, and it is generally regarded as the best growth strategy there is.
“As a business we are at the centre of franchising in Scotland, working with top brands both here and abroad. We have enjoyed a very successful past 12 months, including some substantial contract wins which helps to cement our position at the top table.”
Scottish Franchise Week takes place from 24 April and recent forecasts by the British Franchise Association have estimated that the sector will be worth around £1 billion to the Scottish economy by 2020.
A highlight of the week will be the eagerly anticipated Scottish Business Breakfast that attracts hundreds of delegates from both the franchise and broader business worlds.
Mccafferty added: “Attending these events could be the key to someone finding out if their own business could be franchised, or if they should perhaps invest in a franchise.”