TheyBelow are links to affiliated websites and AFC service provider partners, that may be relevant and of use to you.
Please note that Ashtons Franchise Consulting (AFC) is not responsible for the content of non-AFC websites.
Franchise Information Resources
- The Franchise Magazine – Provides news, information about UK franchise opportunities and guidance features for both franchisors and franchisees.
- The British Franchise Association (Bfa) – The British Franchise Association (bfa) is the voluntary self-regulatory body for the UK franchise sector. Franchise businesses must pass a standards-based accreditation before they can become a bfa member. They promote ethical franchising practice in the UK and helps the industry develop credibility, influence and favourable circumstance for growth. One of the bfa’s main jobs is to help potential franchisees recognise the good, the bad, and the ugly franchise opportunities. Another is to help businesses expanding through franchising to secure their own position amongst the “good”.
- FranchiseShow247 – FranchiseShow247 is a one-stop site for all things franchising. It is a virtual franchise exhibition that is accessible 24/7 anywhere in the world. The platform is host to franchise brands, informative seminars, blogs and industry insights.
Franchise Banking
Whether you’re considering buying a franchise or looking to grow your business through franchising, find out how HSBC’s expertise could help you. Their experienced business managers can make fast, effective decisions, helping potential franchisors and franchisees to establish their businesses and build their success. With over 25 years of experience in supporting the UK franchising industry, they know that franchising is about more than just making money. It’s also about creating strong and mutually-beneficial relationships. They work closely with the British Franchise Association (BFA) and its members to encourage successful and ethical franchising. HSBC are proud sponsors of the HSBC BFA Franchisor and Franchisee of the Year awards.
Lloyds Bank – True Franchising Expertise you can rely upon
Lloyds Banking Group understands that franchisors and franchisees need support from a bank that knows the sector and understands the issues impacting on them. As affiliate members of the British Franchise Association, the Lloyds Bank Franchise Unit have a wealth of knowledge in franchising.
Lloyds Banking Group adopts a refreshing approach to supporting this market. Initial contact is managed by our team of experts who deal with franchise businesses day in and day out. The Franchise Team team will also assist franchisees to secure the funding they require by directly communicating with our credit underwriters to obtain sanction. Expert help is on hand to assist franchisors and franchisees develop their businesses successfully.
NatWest – Local expertise, guidance and support for your franchise business
NatWest have been helping ambitious business people like you achieve their potential for over 30 years. As the first bank in Britain to set up a dedicated franchise department, they offer a truly complete business banking service. Their accredited franchise managers are spread throughout the UK. They have a huge amount of local knowledge, an in-depth understanding of your regional trading environment and deep-rooted franchise sector experience in your area. They’re backed up by a dedicated team of specialists who are all affiliated members of the BFA.
Franchise Finance
Novuna Business Finance supports franchise businesses with market leading funding, planning and training. As a lender and a broker, they are uniquely positioned to help you secure the right funding solution for your specific needs.
Whether you’re new to franchising, an established business looking to expand or a multi-unit operator, their team is here to support at every stage of your franchising journey.
Franchise Accounting
Dennis and Turnbull (d&t) – Based in Swindon, d&t is the UK’s market-leading franchisee accountants. Supporting franchisees and their businesses across a wide range of sectors, they are endorsed by the British Franchise Association (BFA.) They are the go-to accountancy, bookkeeping and tax firm for the franchise industry.
Franchise Insurance
Greenwood Moreland Insurance Brokers
Greenwood Moreland Insurance Brokers are highly regarded in the Franchising industry. They have a longstanding commitment to the British Franchise Association and have sponsored The Scottish Franchise Week.
Operating a franchise presents various pressures and obstacles, but insurance shouldn’t add to them. Greenwood Moreland provides specialised insurance solutions tailored for both franchisees and franchisors.
Marsh: Specialist Franchise Business Insurance
Marsh provides franchise business insurance that is built around the needs of franchisees. By offering an insurance scheme you could help free up their time to focus on their business, safe in the knowledge they have the cover they need from day one.
- As one of the world’s leading insurance brokers, Marsh has a wealth of experience across a wide range of industries. Their proven track record with small and medium-sized businesses means they have over 40,000 live policies in place.
- They believe the details make the difference. They will take the time to get to know you and understand the different risks associated with your franchise. Their expertise and in-depth market understanding help to create products that are truly fit-for-purpose.
Franchise Trademarks
Brand Protect – Trademarks constitute an essential component of any franchise. Brand Protect serves as an expert, practical, and cost-effective partner, offering support not only for the initial registration but also for the ongoing management of renewable assets and addressing potential threats. A whole range of trademark services from essential application and registration services to the more complex litigation stages are available.
Stobbs – Since its launch in 2013, Stobbs has been offering the highest quality advice and service in the Trade Mark industry. They have a keen commercial and practical approach, and because of this, their practice has grown very fast. In just 5 years, they have become one of the leading brand specialist law firms in the UK, being ranked Tier 1 by the Legal 500, and twice have been awarded Trade Mark Firm of the Year by ‘Managing Intellectual Property’ (in 2016 and 2018). For their clients, Stobbs are a trusted partner, helping to develop, protect and make the most of their ideas and brands. From trademarks to copyright, design and domain name strategy and management, they provide what they like to call ‘straight-up IP’ services.
Franchise Management Systems
Azura provides a fully integrated, cloud-based management software system specifically tailored for the franchising industry. It enables franchisors and franchisees to manage their business more effectively . Thereby giving them more time to focus on the development of their products and services and as such, increase revenues.
They provide a free no obligation consultation to understand you, your business and your requirements and then work with you to build a bespoke management software system that is allied to your needs. Whether it is a full franchise management system (e.g., managing customer jobs or classes), a simple online system to replace and collate spreadsheet reporting, or a data warehouse to bring data together from existing systems, you can rely on Azura to recommend the best solution for you.
For further information visit azuragroup.com or call 01206 233840 to arrange a no obligation free consultation.
Franchise Territory Mapping
Smappen – User friendly territory mapping software. Smappen’s all in one platform is quick and easy, yet provides detailed demographics and market analysis.
Atlas Mapping – Providers of the industry renowned territory management system Vision and delivering the global standard in franchise territory mapping consultancy.
Tech4T – Tech4T help businesses target and service their customers, outlets and territories in a more productive and cost-efficient way, leading to increased sales and profitability. They have been doing this for over 20 years.
Franchise Recruitment
Chantry Group – Franchise Marketing, Recruitment and Resales
Since 2007, the Chantry Group have been helping franchisors and franchisees build more valuable and successful businesses. They are proudly considered the UK’s largest Franchise Growth Agency.
Due to supporting a diverse and significant range of clients across a variety of industries, Chantry Group benefit from invaluable insights into what works and what does not work in franchising. The Chantry Group provide solutions to common challenges that prevent or hinder franchisors from growing profitable franchise networks, while supporting franchisees to achieve greater sales and business value through national and local marketing support, as well as highlighting areas of the business that can increase it’s ultimate ‘saleability’.
Some of these challenges include:
- Not generating enough of the right leads
- Struggling to convert suitable candidates
- Attracting poor quality leads
- Failing to see or achieve a return on investment
- Limited resource or marketing expertise inhouse
- Lacking enough hours in the day to effectively execute plans
Support is not limited to established businesses or brands. The Chantry Group assist franchisors and franchisees at all stages of their journey. This could be whether it is recruiting your 1st franchisee or 100th, reaching £100,000 in sales or £1 million. Their approach is always flexible and tailored to ensure maximum benefit to clients.
Want to find out more about building a valuable network through recruiting more of the right franchisees, providing best in class marketing and business development support and accessing a professional and seamless valuations and resales solution? Visit the Chantry Group website or call 020 8017 2115.