#Jasper’s Newcastle Shortlisted for Franchisee Business of the Year

Jasper`s Newcastle franchisees Sue and Dave Burrow are rounding off a fantastic year by being named finalists for Franchisee Business of the Year in the Startups Awards 2011.

Sue and Dave launched their Jasper`s catering franchise at the end of 2008 and have gone from strength to strength, despite opening in the worst recession since the war. They were profitable in their first year and as they head into their fourth, are well on their way to being a £1m turnover business. Such is the demand for their catering services that they are planning to open their second Jasper`s franchise in 2012, which will be run by their daughter Claire.

Their success is especially impressive when you consider that the North East has got the lowest business start up rates in the country. In 2009, there were just 5.7 business start-ups per 1,000 of the population, compared to a national average of 7.9. And the region has also seen a 17.5% fall in start-ups since 2004.

Jasper`s Newcastle is bucking the regional trend though. The franchise provides catering services to more than 100 corporate clients and also provides vending solutions, office sundries and on-site catering. They recently won a three year contract with the BIC in Sunderland, worth £800k, to provide on-site catering facilities for their 350 staff, along with hospitality services.

Being shortlisted for the Franchisee Business of the Year tops off a great 2011 for Sue and Dave. The Editor of Startups said: “Our finalists this year are as diverse, exciting and creative as ever...Painful as it was, some fantastic companies didn’t quite make it this far from the hundreds of entries we received this year. For those that have made it to the 2011 final, competition for the honours in each category will be incredibly fierce and we anticipate one of the toughest judging days we’ve had since the awards launched in 2004”

Jasper’s Founder and Director Nathan Siekierski said: “We’re really pleased that Sue and Dave are being recognised this way. They are a credit to Jasper’s : their energy, optimism and dedication to their business translates into sales and success. It just goes to show that when you add the right people - who have the right attitude – to Jasper’s robust processes and systems, you have a winning combination.”

To find out more information on the Jasper`s Corporate Catering franchise, click here.