Cool way to indulge a passion for ice cream
A THIRD of people in the UK now eat out at least once a week and the industry is doing well, but opening your own restaurant can be a risky business. Almost 1,300 restaurants went bust in 2014, 50 per cent more than in the recession.
So opening as a franchise might be safer — you are investing in a proven concept, you get help with choosing a location and menus and you benefit from bulk buying.
Carol Cordiner, 43, who runs the Crolla’s Gelateria franchise in Aberdeen, says: ‘I always wanted my own ice cream parlour and felt that the best way forward was a franchise with industry experience. I tried ice cream from several companies and preferred Crolla’s.
‘As a franchisee I get access to all of Crolla’s products and recipes, plus the support of a family passionate about ice cream.’
She recommends: ‘Spend as much time as you can with the franchisors. At Crolla’s we visited other gelaterias, tasted all the products and were even given a tour of the factory.’
Crolla’s director, Peter Crolla, says: ‘All the strategies and operations are in place to assist franchisees, and we provide training and support. ‘We look for good communicators who are passionate about the product, with good market knowledge and business acumen.’ Total investment is £90,000 to £140,000 including store fit-out, equipment and working capital. Fahad Yusaf and business partner Safwan Adam recently opened a German Doner Kebab (GDK) franchise store in Kilburn, North London. Fahad says: ‘We chose GDK because it offers a healthy and gourmet range — a kebab without the guilt.
‘Kilburn is a great, busy and multi-cultural borough, so we really hope to be able to open a cluster of stores around this area.’
GDK UK chief executive Imran Sayeed says: ‘We have eight stores in the UK and are looking for more franchisees. A GDK franchise is simple to operate as a qualified chef is not required.’
The total investment is £140,000 to £200,000 for a restaurant and there is also a kiosk option. Crolla’s 0131 664 1218; GDK 07585 709 136