Franchise Success Is Big Business

Ic Newcastle:

A company which advises businesses on expanding their empire by franchising is reaping worldwide success.

Clients of The Franchise Company, of Darlington, include ICI, Durham Pine, Middlesbrough FC and art business Eyestorm.

Now advances in technology are bringing in clients from around the world.

The company has done work for a call centre training company in New Zealand and is working on franchise operation manuals for companies in Dubai and Malta.

Franchise Company consultant Mashud Choudhury said: “Distance is now not an issue for us. Even if a client is sitting in an office in the Middle East, we can do business as if we were sitting next to each other. Exchange of information can be carried out in an instant via email or through shared access.”
Franchising has traditionally been largely restricted to the retail and food sectors, with businesses such as McDonald’s.

But Mr Choudhury said the attractions of growing a brand name quickly and having entrepreneurial people run franchises meant the idea was gaining ground in other sectors.

The Franchise Company, which employs three consultants and three back-up staff, is taking advantage of other trends as it looks to boost its turnover past the £500,000 mark it achieved last year.