This journey fuelled Caryn’s drive to create inclusive spaces, especially when the opportunity arose to invest in the very school her daughter attended.  Now, 17 years on – seven of which as a teacher and now ten as Principal of Drama Kids York – Caryn has made it her mission to champion diversity and inclusion, drawing from her personal journey and the unwavering support of the Drama Kids brand. “I’m a keen advocate for celebrating diversity in every way possible,” explains Caryn. “I think it’s something that I’ve been compelled to facilitate within my own franchise because of ..read more

Amidst the excitement of building a business, it is easy to overlook the importance of planning for a smooth transition when the time comes to hand over the reins. Whether it is retirement or simply moving on to new ventures, every entrepreneur eventually faces the question of who will carry their legacy forward. As an established brand with more than 20 years in franchising, it is a journey Petpals knows well. They believe that by offering exceptional service and fostering strong connections with like-minded customers, franchisees not only ensure the success of their business during their ten ..read more

With the Centre for Economic Business Research Forecasts1 predicting that the number of new businesses in the UK will increase by 342,000 in the next two years, is now the time to be planning your exit strategy and your entry to becoming a franchise owner and if so, is there a best time to make that leap? Whether we are talking about the best time in your life or the best time in the year, identifying the optimum juncture to invest in a franchise is worth some thought, as you consider your next career move.   Ryan White, managing director of BFA (British Franchise Association) pet care fr ..read more

The British Franchise Association (BFA) has launched a new programme to help franchisors and franchisees succeed in their businesses. The BFA is spearheading their brand-new Qualified Franchise Coach programme (QFC), which aims to improve the skills of those in the franchise sector. The programme seeks to enhance the franchisor and franchisee relationships while maximising their performance at every level. Developed by leading franchise training company Franchology and the BFA Academy, the Qualified Franchise Coach programme is an accredited coaching method divided into eight models, designed ..read more

How do you choose the perfect location for your franchise? In this article, BusinessesForSale.com looks at five key factors you should consider. Once you’ve decided to go down the franchising route, deciding where to set up shop is one of the most important decisions you’ll need to make next. Picking a location goes beyond just geography – it’s a strategic choice that will impact your market reach and visibility. The ideal location can propel any business to success, but an unsuitable one could mean you face an uphill struggle.  So how can you pick a site that both meets your operational ..read more

Finding the right balance when it comes to agreeing service charge costs Hannah Al-Shaghana, who is a commercial property solicitor, discusses the complexities associated with service charge costs, and how they affect both landlords and tenants. In the current economic climate, with most businesses severely affected by spiralling energy prices, many of my franchising clients tell me how this is seriously impacting the profitability of their business. Increasing service charge costs is another factor that affects them and many are wondering whether it may be time to relocate. In this article, I ..read more

Although franchising is typically a more robust business model than many others, it is still not immune to the wider economic and sectoral pressures. The recent demise of The Body Shop, which is currently in administration, is one high profile example of this. If the worst happens, and a franchisor or franchisee becomes insolvent, it will almost certainly cause disruption. However, this does not necessarily mean the outcome is terminal. In April’s feature, we consider some of the key considerations for both franchisors and franchisees, should insolvency strike. Insolvency of a franchisee and t ..read more

Nearing the six-month ownership mark, it’s a fantastic feeling to see months of groundwork, relationship building, process reviews, marketing, networking, endless hours in the workshop and hard work, all coming to fruition, creating positive change within the business. March in fact turned such a corner that it ended up as our best month yet sales and margin wise, (since taking ownership of the business). Whilst it’s hugely rewarding seeing work and sales come through the door, we don’t want to become busy fools, so I’m thrilled to see our profitability follow suit.  After trying to get a ..read more

One of the UK’s leading franchises has begun the process of rebranding each and every one of its 300-plus outlets. During the next two years, Tax Assist Accountants will modernise their premises across the country, as the company takes the next step in the evolution of its successful brand. Founded in Norwich during the mid-1990s, the TaxAssist network has expanded globally.  Worldwide, the franchise has over 80,000 clients and more than 420 shops and offices. As well as operating for 29 years in the UK, TaxAssist Accountants has successfully launched in the Republic of Ireland, Australia ..read more

Alterations to Carers Leave  Becoming law on 6th April is a new ‘Day One’ right, allowing employees to request up to one week off without pay each year to care for a dependent. Employees need to ask for this time off in writing and employers can delay the leave if it severely affects the business. Employers have to tell the employee r, in writing, before the leave is supposed to start if they cannot take their chosen dates and allow them to take it within a month. Flexible working Another change coming in April is to the flexible working laws. The aftermath of the pandemic has completely ..read more