Marsden Caterers of Sheffield have sold their KFC franchise worth £17 million to family business Marz, which is run by Raja Adil. The decision to sell the franchise was made when Marsden Caterer’s Managing Director announced his retirement.

This KFC franchisee was in operation since 1980 and had 14 outlets across South Yorkshire and Midlands. It also included a restaurant in Mansfield, which was the UK’s largest KFC restaurant in Glasshoughton, West Yorkshire.

The retiring owners are confident that the new owner, Raja Adil, will continue the good work at Marsden Caterers and will ensure a secure and dynamic future of the existing store development opportunities. Raja Adil said that their family has been in the fast food industry for over 30 years and he has operated 13 KFC’s franchisee in the Midlands.

Marsden Caterers sought advice on the sale from David Crump and John Famsworth of Smith Cooper Finance. By purchasing Marsden Caterer’s, Raja Adil has doubled the number of franchisees in just one stroke and at the same time has extended the geographical spread of the business. Raja Adil has a business with a combined turnover of more than £40 million.

If you have a passion for cars and want your own business, look no further! Now, you can start your own franchise business in the automotive sector and make a remarkable career for yourself. Operating an automotive franchise business in the UK offers you a gamut of options to choose from; the most popular form of this business being that of automotive repairs.

Though vehicles have become much sturdier and shock-proof when it comes to collision impacts in the case of an accident, it requires repairs on an immediate basis post-accident.

Generally, an automotive repair franchise business is classified into two categories, namely mobile repair franchise and garage franchises. In the former case, the franchisee is responsible for the fixing of minor mechanical problems or any superficial damage, and giving the car a new look after the repairs are done, whereas in a garage-based facility, the franchise business involves dealing with major repairs on the car.

Business for Breakfast, which has 90 clubs in the UK, is one of the most successful networking organisations in the country. Business for Breakfast is now expanding its franchising operation and has signed two new franchisees in Keynsham and Portishead near Bristol. Becky Hall, a former probation officer, runs Portishead and Keynsham groups. Becky Hall also runs a coaching business in Bristol.

Business for Breakfast at Haydock was launched by John Betton. John betton has taken over two successful groups in Leigh and Wigan. Business for Breakfast provides all types of structured and supportive networking environment for attracting supplier, new client and strategic alliances.

They are fast expanding their franchising operation that will invite astute business people to become part of their set-up and reap the potential rewards. Their franchisees come from different backgrounds. Some have expertise in essential services like printer, designer or accountant, whereas others have experience at the managerial as well as operational level. Importantly, they have a desire to be successful in life, and are ready to take on new challenges.

The children’s computer tuitions franchise, Computer Xplorers, has launched its latest franchise in South Wales. This is a franchise, which trains children from age three to thirteen. They teach computer applications all over the UK.

The new franchiser in South Wales, John, has been a secondary school teacher for the last 20 years. He wanted to continue teaching even after his retirement so his investment in the computer Xplorers franchise has fulfilled his dream to continue teaching children. With the computer Xplorers franchise, he can combine his skills of teaching with entrepreneur skills so that he can provide children with proper computer knowledge.

After he chose to become a franchisee, John has enjoyed his training and finds himself more aware and he thinks he will passionately teach the children what he has learnt.
This franchise in south Wales is going to be very beneficial to the children in that area.

The Computer Xplorers have planned to teach kids the basics of computers. They aim to spread their franchise business model all over the UK.

4 Seasons, an air conditioning company, has launched its franchise business model with the help of Franchise Development Services. 4 Seasons is now looking for prospective franchisees to grow the brand nationally. Franchisees are expected to promote the 4 Seasons business through marketing and sales strategies.

According to Managing Director of 4 Seasons, there was space and scope on the market for small and domestic commercial installations, when the company was established in 2003. He also pointed out that the market had grown tremendously during the last couple of years and that they had developed very good customer service strategy.

The reasons why 4 Seasons contacted FDS Northern is because when they were developing the franchisee offer they wanted to get it right from the start. Their customer service is focused more on professional delivery at all the levels. Tony Urwin, Director of the FDS Northern, is very experienced in the franchise strategy.

4 Seasons worked with FDS Northern alongside for developing a comprehensive franchising package, including constant training and support.

The famous hand cut sandwich and gourmet coffee chain, O’ Briens, is continuing with its expansion in Scotland. They recently opened their 43rd outlet in Scotland. The new outlet is one of its kinds with 84 seat mall café. It is situated in the Winter Gardens at Silverburn and is one of the largest shopping malls in Scotland, Glasgow. This is the first of the three malls that the company plans to open. The other two cafes will open in Kilmarnock and Gretna.

O’ Briens is one of the fastest growing sandwich and catering franchises in the UK, with over 140 outlets in the UK. They provide the best quality sandwiches by using the best ingredients; their motto being what is best for the customer is good for the business.

The new café at Glasgow is an ideal hangout. The customers can sit, relax and take a break here. It is a very comfortable place, offering some quality menu options. The café provides the customers not only with a wide choice to eat from but also provides quick service. The menu at this new café consists of pastries and quiches as well as iced drinks and milk shakes. There is also a wide variety of healthy sandwiches available.

Bob Elks, previously with Pannell Group in Nottingham as a sales manager, has been appointed as a franchise business consultant by FASTSIGNS. Andy Simpson was the franchise business consultant who is being replaced by Bob Elk. The former has stepped down from the post for his family-owned FASTSIGNS centre in Leeds.

FASTSIGNS business consultants work with franchisees to help develop their business. Bob brings considerable expertise to the FASTSIGNS team, since he is an expert in sales and marketing. He has spent his entire working carrier in both these fields, namely sales and marketing. He will be working at FASTSIGNS’ UK head office in Chesterfield and will be providing support to the organisation’s 23 centres.

FASTSIGNS UK Managing Director Garth Allison commented that Bob’s expertise in sales and marketing would help them to strengthen their service. According to Bob, his role is unique. He wants to take up new challenges and is looking forward to work with FASTSIGNS to expand their business by providing the necessary support and knowledge to their franchisee network.

With help from Coronation Street soap star, Tom Hudson, Papa John’s just opened their 101st store in Sale, Manchester. Tom Hudson plays the role of Chef Paul Clayton in the famous soap.

The new store opened by Papa John’s is the first of many pizza franchises that they plan to open in the region. Papa John’s has plans to open at least 14 more outlets across Manchester City in the next 18 months or so. Papa John’s is aiming to open up 300 stores in the UK by 2016.

Tom Hudson was called to open the store because of his role as a chef in Coronation Street.  The opening of this store sends a clear message to potential franchise partners that Papa John’s is the best. Greater Manchester is a place that provides huge opportunities for delivery and takeaway food businesses. The North West and Manchester is a relatively unexploited area, and Papa John’s will be able to provide a lucrative opportunity to franchisees that no other franchise business has tapped.

Papa John’s are looking for franchise partners who will be able to share the same passion that Papa John’s founder, John Schnatter has.

Pizza franchises in the UK have been maintaining a favourable position for themselves in the fast food industry. From regular consumers to business people, pizza has always been all time favourite meal.

There are various pizza franchises in the UK each comprising of various elements to satisfy consumer needs. There are many other fast food items available, but pizza still holds its popularity on the fast food market.

Before entering pizza industry, a franchise model should consider factors like, location, finances and the time required to operate the business outlet.  All these factors play an important role in the success.

The outlet should be opened in such a place where there is high number of visitors. Consider elements like clubs, shops and pubs. Students can be the target audience. For the initial phase, a sizable cash and time would be needed in launching the business. A franchisee needs to be patient and provide ample time and attention to managing marketing day-to-day activities, maintaining high standards and product control, to make it a worthwhile investment.

An experienced lawyer of BFA, Nina Moran-Watson, has teamed up with Lloyds TSB to offer a franchisee agreement review service to prospective franchisees. This service includes a detailed report outlining the terms of the agreement to the client, to ensure that they are making an informed decision. All the commercial customers of Lloyds TSB will be able to use this service at a reduced rate of £370 plus VAT.

According to Richard Holden, Head of Franchising at Lloyds TSB, they decided to launch this new service in order to ensure that their customers have access to expert legal advice whenever needed and at the best possible rates before making a commitment to invest in a franchise.

For anyone who is looking to take on a franchise, it is essential to have a contract independently checked and explained to them before they sign it. Nina Moran-Watson has helped hundreds of fledging franchisees get past the potential legal contract pitfalls. According to Nina Moran-Watson, franchisees are put off the by the cost and time involved in seeking legal advice, but the reviews are vital for anyone keen on setting up a franchise for the first time.