One-stop shop for keen self-starters
EXHIBITIONS are an efficient way to find out about franchises.
Andrew Orme, a franchisee with Countrywide Grounds Maintenance in Ashford, Kent, says: ‘I wanted my own business, and felt a franchise offered a better chance of a good return on investment than an independent start- up. So after researching some franchises and working out how much I could invest, I visited a show.’
He’d already spoken to Countrywide but wanted to meet its franchise executives in person and prepared some questions for them.
Andrew, 32, says: ‘Plan ahead for an exhibition. Know what you are looking for, otherwise you risk being overwhelmed with information.’
Countrywide Grounds Maintenance franchisees provide year- round grounds maintenance services to the commercial and utilities sectors.
It is looking for highly motivated people who want to grow large, profitable businesses.
It is one of more than 100 franchises taking part at the National Franchise Exhibition (NFE) on October 2 and 3 at the NEC, Birmingham. ( See
franchiseinfo.co.uk). When attending a franchise exhibition company, executives will be assessing you, too.
Mark Abbott, managing director of oven cleaning franchise Oven Wizards, which also has a stand at the NFE, says: ‘We are impressed by those who have a clear idea of what they want and have researched the franchise already. Be prepared to answer questions, too — it shows you are a good communicator.’
Franchise shows also offer the chance to speak to existing franchisees. Ceri Rogers, event director for the Franchise Show at ExCel, London, on February 19 and 20, 2016, says: ‘It includes A Day In The Life seminar, where franchisees talk about what it’s like running a franchise business.’ (See thefranchiseshow.co.uk).
Countrywide Grounds Maintenance, tel: 0800 234 567; Oven Wizards, tel: 01367 85016.