The British Franchise Association or BFA was established in 1977 by various leading franchises in UK. This association helps to promote franchising in UK. It is an ethical and fair community that helps in setting some rules and standards for all the franchisees and franchisors.

Learn about British Franchising Association

One of the best things about BFA is that it provides services and advice to all their members. For this, the BFA has hired professionals such as solicitors, accountants and also experienced franchisees. With the help of an online resource, all the members of this association can read various publications based on franchising in the UK. They also offer franchisor guides, survey reports and other information packs. N addition to all this, the BFA holds seminars for educating and advising the franchisees and franchisors.

The BFA is also known for conducting annual surveys which contains all the latest statistics about the franchising world in UK. These surveys and reports are reliable to know about franchising trends. BFA also announces annual franchisor and franchisee awards. This has an impact on the performance of franchisors and franchisees to some extent.

According to the latest reports, the franchising industry in UK has been growing rapidly over the last few years. The total number of franchises which are operating in UK has gone up by 60%. At present, there are 759 franchises in the UK, which has more 364,000 working employees. The yearly turnover of the whole industry is around £15 billion. So, investing in franchising is a perfect option for earning profits without any risk.

If you have planned to step into the world of franchising, you will be keen to find all necessary information on the subject. If you are considering buying a franchise, you will have to carry out extensive research on the various franchising opportunities and the types of franchise you could own.

Apart from this, you may have noticed that there are certain unheard terms that you stumble upon and this makes the process of understanding more difficult for a newcomer. Hence, it is best to get acquainted with some commonly used terms so that you are able to make an informed decision.

It is not very difficult to remember or understand these terms. If you are clear about what franchising is and the other fundamentals related to it, you can make the learning process easier.

• Business format franchise: This refers to a particular format or plan put forward by a franchiser. This includes points that describe the guidelines for a franchise to run smoothly.
• Service mark: This term is quite similar to the term trademark. The use of the franchisee materials are copyrighted by the franchiser. This means the product or service is copyrighted.
• Lease franchise: A franchiser rents a premise or property to a franchisee as a rental.

These are some familiar terms in regards to franchising. If you wish to explore this industry, you will have to be well aware of these concepts.

Choosing between buying an existing franchise and an independent business can be very confusing at first. Listed below are a few of the benefits of buying into an existing franchise and tips for buying one.

1) Your preference: This is the first and foremost consideration when buying into a franchise. Go for a business type that you like. If you do not enjoy what you are doing you are less likely to do it well. You will most likely be spending 8 to 10 hours a day in this business and at times weekends as well. Unless you like the business you are in, you are not likely to succeed.

2) Be flexible: You need to be flexible when choosing a franchise of your choice. You do not have to choose a business that has a big name only. There is no guarantee of the level of support you will receive. This is why you need to be flexible when you choose a franchise. Even relatively unknown names can prove to be good business models.

3) The owner: The current owner of the business needs to be compatible with you. Find out about the current owner of the franchise and his credentials. If you dislike the owner or their ethics, it is recommended that you avoid doing business with him or her. Buying a franchise can be a long and strenuous process. It is recommended that you choose the right person to deal with.

You should keep these 3 simple aspects in mind when you choose to buy an existing franchise.

WSI, the world’s largest Internet consulting firm, ranks as the #1 Internet and Tech Franchise in Entrepreneur Magazine’s January 2010 Franchise 500 – an honor maintained for 10 consecutive years. Additionally, WSI ranks #13 in the Top Home Based Franchises and #49 in America’s Top Global Franchises. Overall, the world’s leading franchise offering Internet marketing services increased to the 56th spot in the 500 listing in 2010.

Ron McArthur, president of WSI, says, “We are very pleased with Entrepreneur Magazine’s January 2010 franchise listing. This is a true testament to WSI’s leadership position in the technology services category. Coupled with a strong brand reputation and complete training and support, WSI offers one of the few ‘white collar’ franchises today. With companies shifting more of their marketing budgets online, our franchisees are experiencing a high volume of business as companies realize the power and potential of Internet marketing.”

With the largest network of Internet Marketing Consultants (WSI franchisees) worldwide, WSI delivers thousands of Internet marketing solutions to small and medium sized businesses around the globe. By using WSI’s patent-pending Internet Marketing Lifecycle™ system, WSI franchisees aim to assess their clients’ business needs in order to deliver a custom-tailored Internet marketing strategy geared toward increasing revenues.

“With the emergence of new media and digital communication technologies, businesses of all sizes and industries are discovering the profit potentials of Internet and social media marketing,” says McArthur. “By utilizing strategies such as paid search advertising, search engine optimization, social media marketing, content marketing, landing pages, conversion architecture, viral marketing, lead nurturing and more, WSI franchisees help business owners achieve increased return on investment (ROI) over traditional marketing tactics.”

The WSI franchise opportunity includes one of the most complete and comprehensive training and certification programs available, along with a dynamic business coaching and support program custom-tailored to meet the unique needs of each new franchisee. WSI is committed to the profitability of its franchise network and the SMB market. Its ongoing corporate initiatives toward this goal contribute to the company’s long-standing and continuing excellence in the industry’s most well recognized franchise listing.
WSI, the world’s largest Internet consulting firm, ranks as the #1 Internet Marketing Services Franchise in Entrepreneur Magazine’s January 2010 Franchise 500 – an honor maintained for 10 consecutive years. Additionally, WSI ranks #13 in the Top Home Based Franchises and #49 in America’s Top Global Franchises. Overall, the world’s leading franchise offering Internet marketing services increased to the 56th spot in the 500 listing in 2010.

Ron McArthur, president of WSI, says, “We are very pleased with Entrepreneur Magazine’s January 2010 franchise listing. This is a true testament to WSI’s leadership position in the technology services category. Coupled with a strong brand reputation and complete training and support, WSI offers one of the few ‘white collar’ franchises today. With companies shifting more of their marketing budgets online, our franchisees are experiencing a high volume of business as companies realize the power and potential of Internet marketing.”

With the largest network of Internet Marketing Consultants (WSI franchisees) worldwide, WSI delivers thousands of Internet marketing solutions to small and medium sized businesses around the globe. By using WSI’s patent-pending Internet Marketing Lifecycle™ system, WSI franchisees aim to assess their clients’ business needs in order to deliver a custom-tailored Internet marketing strategy geared toward increasing revenues.

“With the emergence of new media and digital communication technologies, businesses of all sizes and industries are discovering the profit potentials of Internet and social media marketing,” says McArthur. “By utilizing strategies such as paid search advertising, search engine optimization, social media marketing, content marketing, landing pages, conversion architecture, viral marketing, lead nurturing and more, WSI franchisees help business owners achieve increased return on investment (ROI) over traditional marketing tactics.”

The WSI franchise opportunity includes one of the most complete and comprehensive training and certification programs available, along with a dynamic business coaching and support program custom-tailored to meet the unique needs of each new franchisee. WSI is committed to the profitability of its franchise network and the SMB market. Its ongoing corporate initiatives toward this goal contribute to the company’s long-standing and continuing excellence in the industry’s most well recognized franchise listing.

Franchising means an arrangement in which the owner of a brand allows an individual to do some business under that name. For this, the buyer or franchisee needs to pay a fee to the owner or franchisor. This is a perfect way to start a business because it minimises the investment risk to a great extent.

The average franchise package includes things which are essential to start the business and run it successfully. It also includes activities such as training, information about your customer base and a license to use the name of the company in your business operations. Moreover, the franchisor also helps the franchisee to know about the equipment, raw materials, promotional material and supplies.

In order to prevent having too many franchisees within the same locality competing for the same customer base, franchises generally divide the country into different areas and allow you to buy the rights for one particular area. That said, all franchises operate differently and it will depend upon the franchise in question.

If you have a successful business then franchising might be the best option for expansion. At present, more than 1,000 companies in the UK are going for franchising for business growth. You could also opt for franchising, as it is a successful and proven methodology.

Advantages of franchising your business

Network growth

Franchising is beneficial as it helps companies to establish more outlets or stores in the country within a few years. This is not possible through company-funded development. The resources which you need to open a franchise are far less than you require to open a company-owned store. The franchisee will invest in the business and you only have to implement a local marketing campaign. Thus, you can also go for multiple franchisees at a time, which is better than opening store after store.

Localised management

By granting the licence, you are placing the store under the ownership of an individual who has knowledge about the market. The earnings depend on the performance of the franchisee.

Capital return

Franchisees will also pay an initial investment to you and most of it will cover the cost which is involved in franchisee recruitment, training and launch support. The main incentive will be the ongoing management service fee, which is some percentage of the turnover. Although the revenue which is received is less than a privately owned company, by taking the franchise route you can cut overheads and can focus more on developing the business.

Thus, franchising is much more beneficial than opening a new store, as it is quicker and less risky.

It is important to learn what a franchise business is before owning one. Franchise businesses allow you to use a brand’s property, trademark and concepts while running a business on your own.

It is advised that you choose a franchise that is popular throughout the country. Choosing a well known franchise that has chains or branches all over the country will be very advantageous. If you have money, enthusiasm and the willpower to run your own business then buying a franchise is the best choice. You get to be your own boss by owning a franchise.

The best thing about buying a franchise is that you can gain instant recognition. This is because you are part of an established company. You do not have to start from scratch to create awareness about your business. Instead you will already have loyal customers.

Buying a franchise is recommended over starting a whole new business of your own because you can learn a lot from it. You will get the necessary training on how to make your business flourish.

You have to pay a start-up fee when you buy a franchise. This fee includes capital for a business license, equipment etc. Apart from this, you have to give a share of your earnings to the parent company either on a weekly or monthly basis. Since you are gaining a lot of popularity from the beginning, you will have to contribute to the advertising fund.

You will surely earn a lot of profits by buying a franchise. Invest in a franchise and be your own boss today.

There are a lot of franchising opportunities in the UK. For people who are looking to become independent, franchising can be an excellent option. When you are choosing a franchise, it is quite important to determine its profitability. Two factors mentioned below will enable you to assess this with ease.

Purchase price

Every franchisor has its franchisee pay an amount at the start. This fee is one of the first things to be done before the franchise agreement is accepted. The size of this initial fee varies from one franchisor to another. The franchise buyers should assess a franchise according to its initial fee and their affordability and rule out the options which appear too expensive. Moreover, the whole of the start-up cost will need to be taken into consideration. Only after such an evaluation, will a person know whether he or she can actually afford a franchise.

Estimation of income

Franchisees can also look at various profit and loss accounts of the existing franchises to find out their margins at the start. This will give an insight into the way in which their investments are going to yield results. A good franchisee will see to it that their franchise provides them with good and sustained returns at the earliest.

With these factors in mind, you will be able to choose a franchise which will be suited to your requirements as well one which will provide you with the desired profits.

Besure Direct are pleased to announce their latest franchise owners, 3 Futures Ltd, and confirm that they have bought three franchise territories, such is their belief in the Besure model.

3 Futures Ltd, based in Southampton, is run by Keith Calloway, David Headon and Jon Sale and they intend to expand their business quickly in line with their own ambitions. As people with past experience in general insurance, they know a good opportunity in the market place when they see it and were quick to sign up to the franchise model. They have now completed all initial training and set up procedures and are ready to start building their business with the help and support of the professionals at Besure Direct and our partners.

At Besure Direct we’ve always got our eye out for the right people to join our ever expanding team of franchise owners. If you think this might mean you, please click here for further information.

Franchising has become very popular all over the world in recent years. UK franchising especially has greatly increased in popularity in recent times. Last year alone the contribution of franchising to the economy had increased by over 5 billion pounds to 12.4 billion pounds. It is no surprise that franchising occupies a significant place in the UK economy.

The different types of franchising agreements
Franchising has made a significant change in the economy of UK. The basic idea behind franchising is that a company gives another company or individual the rights to sell its products or services. Franchising however is more complex, as there are different types of franchising agreements. The types of franchising agreements can be divided into five categories, although each and every agreement differs in some way or the other. These five categories are, manufacturing franchises, business franchise ventures, product franchises, business format franchises and part time franchises. In manufacturing franchises, the agreement involves the franchisor allowing the franchisee to produce and sell its products using the franchisor’s trade mark. This agreement is very common in the food and beverage business. The franchisor receives a commission on every unit sold.

In business franchise ventures, the agreement involves the franchisee purchasing and distributing the product from the franchisor. In product franchises, the franchisor uses the agreement as a way of distributing the product. It allows the franchisee to use its name to distribute the product. Business format franchises are the most complicated and involves the franchisee investing in the company. Therefore, these are the different basic franchise agreements.