Franchises: Running Pubs And Cafes

This is Money:

A franchise could help you open your own restaurant or pub.

Catering brings special problems for start-ups: competition is hot, margins are low, and there is more regulation than in other sectors.

A good franchisor will help you overcome these problems, as well as providing an existing brand name and a tested business formula.

It takes more than just desire to make money to succeed in catering. ‘You must genuinely love food and meeting customers,’ says Fiacra Nagle of O’Briens Sandwich Bars.

Previous management experience will give you the ‘people’ skills vital in catering.

‘Some of our multiple outlet owners employ 50 to 60 staff, so it’s not a business for the shy,’ says Mr Nagle, who is looking for more franchisees with £125,000 to invest. More.