Why should franchisors join the bfa?
Recognition as one of the best franchisors
For franchisors, bfa membership is a benchmark of quality, providing public recognition as well as evidence that the company is truly established and offers a fair and ethical franchise opportunity. Significant too, that this quality standard not only adds value to the franchisor's brand but value to each and every franchisee within the bfa accredited franchise network.
Community and Know-how
All members have access to accredited professional advisors and other bfa member franchisors. Experience and best practice is shared at the annual conference, regional and franchisor forums held regularly throughout the year. The bfa also produces a newsletter for members and website subscribers containing franchise news and bfa activity.
Franchisee recruitment through a dedicated website
The bfa assists members in recruiting good quality franchisees. The bfa website, co-sponsored by the five bfa Affiliated franchising banks, offers all members a link through to their own websites and they have exclusive access to a private members’ section. In addition, an ‘information request’ facility ensures that prospective franchisees can link directly with bfa members to ask further questions. All members have a listing on the site, which provides the latest news, views and a direct link to its members for prospective franchisees who are shopping for franchisors ‘online’.
Brand Value & Credibility
The bfa brand is increasingly looked for by ever more informed prospective franchisees. Franchisors Members of the bfa who can display the distinctive bfa logo on their literature have an immediate head-start.
The Franchise Awards
The annual bfa Franchisor and Franchisee of the Year Awards, open only to bfa members and sponsored by HSBC and The Daily Express, promote the image of sound franchising practices and draws media attention to both the winners and franchising as a whole.
UK & Europe
As part of the European Franchise Federation (EFF) the bfa is able to lobby the European government as well as the UK government, on behalf of its members. The bfa is ensuring that its members’ voices are heard and its members’ interests are protected from unwanted legislation in UK and Europe.
Mediation and Arbitration
Schemes are operated by the bfa to ensure that any disputes between franchisees and franchisors can be resolved in a cost effective, timely franchise environment.
National Franchise Weeks
The bfa has committed to two initiatives - National and Scottish Franchise Weeks - to increase knowledge of franchising. These events are run in the weeks preceding the Birmingham and Glasgow exhibitions each year. They highlight the franchising concept as one of the safest methods of starting your own business and the security of having a tried and tested business formula and support behind you.
Exhibitions
Restricted to bfa members or genuine business format franchise opportunities who have been accredited by the bfa for exhibition purposes, there are five bfa-endorsed exhibitions held each year. Members are entitled to automatic discounted entry to these exhibitions and discounted advertising and other costs.
Training and seminar programmes
The bfa's prospective franchisee and franchisor one-day seminars tackle how to approach franchising confidently, how to use franchising to grow a business and the relationship between franchisors and franchisees. Prospective franchisees can assess whether franchising is right for them, prioritise franchise opportunities and understand the franchisor's requirements and assessment criteria, while prospective franchisors receive help in understanding the necessary skills and business culture required for a successful franchise operation and the next step in developing their business as a franchise network.
Information guides
The bfa produces independent Franchisee and Franchisor Guides, sponsored by Lloyds TSB, which feature details of all bfa members. Approximately 40% of all new franchisees purchase the bfa Franchisee Guide prior to making their decision.
Discounts
The bfa’s official Newspaper (Express Newspapers) and magazine (Business Franchise Magazine) both offer discounts to franchisor companies accredited by the bfa.
