More women choose the Big Mac route to independence

CAROL ROGERSON, 48, former managing director of a call centre group, is now a McDonald’s franchisee with two restaurants in Great Yarmouth and Beccles, East Anglia.

Carol says: ‘I wanted to minimise risk but remain a 100 per cent shareholder, and the McDonald’s training meant it topped my list of possible franchises.

‘I was able to meet other franchisees, particularly women, and understand more about how a franchise works.

‘This gave me the confidence I needed to start and I felt secure knowing the franchisee community and McDonald’s would support me at every step.’

Carol advises women considering a franchise: ‘Take your time and attend franchising events to talk to franchisees.

‘Check on training and the average tenure of franchisees, which will give you a good understanding of the business before you finally commit.’

Abel Campos, head of franchising at McDonald’s UK, says: ‘We take seriously raising awareness of the opportunities franchising offers women.’ McDonald’s chief operations officer Jason Clark adds: ‘Research shows over a third of senior decision-makers will consider a career change in the next five years so we expect more senior executives like Carol leaving corporates and starting franchises.’ A McDonald’s UK franchise can start at £150,000, at least 25 per cent of which must be paid in unencumbered funds.