UK Franchise Opinion and News

Franchise Opinions highlights the latest opinions, news and trends in UK franchising. The authors, all experts in franchising, are happy to share their advice and views with you.

Buying a franchise business - what can go wrong?

Article by John H Pratt Hamilton Pratt

John Pratt provides essential guidance for potential franchisees in their research for a franchise business.

Franchising, law and the north/south divide - is there much of a difference?

Article by Martin O'Neill WJM

Franchising (or rather “business format franchising” as we know it) generally means the same thing in Scotland as it does in England. Neither jurisdiction has a body of “franchising law” as such.

Franchise resales - what additional legal documents are needed?

Article by Martin O'Neill WJM

Prospective franchisees sometimes have the choice between buying an existing trading business from a franchisee, or starting a new business with the grant of a franchise from the Franchisor.

How can I identify a good franchise business from a bad one?

Article by Richard Holden Lloyds Bank

So how can you back a thoroughbred franchise investment rather than losing your money betting on a nag?

What are the top franchises in the UK? How do I know which is the best franchise?

Article by Suzie McCafferty Platinum Wave

According to the BFA NatWest survey, there are more than 900 franchise models operating in the UK alone. The real question to ask yourself is not which one is the best, but which one is the best for me?

Which franchise will make me rich!?

Article by Bill Hendrie The Franchise Development Centre

The first point that I would make here is that a franchise does not make you rich. You have to make yourself rich. The franchise model is merely a vehicle that may allow you to become rich if you have an aptitude for what you are doing and work hard at it.

Are there any disadvantages to franchising my business?

Article by Bill Hendrie The Franchise Development Centre

It would be rare, if not impossible to find a business structure that had no disadvantages, and franchising is no different. Both the franchisor and the franchisee need to not only understand, but fully adopt the ‘culture’ of a franchised operation. It is one of mutual trust and support.

The international franchisor’s guide to franchising in the UK

Article by Jane Masih Owen White Solicitors

There are no legal requirements in the United Kingdom to disclose any information to prospective Master Franchisees or prospective Franchisees. Franchisors should be wary as to claims made in prospectuses, brochures or similar publications for prospective Master Franchisees or Franchisees, particularly if they relate to earnings.

Pitfalls to look out for when entering into business contracts

Article by David Irving Mundays

Both franchisors and franchisees regularly enter into business contracts as part of their franchise business. For example franchisors may contract with suppliers to provide certain goods for their franchisors and franchisees would regularly contract with clients to provide various goods and services. When entering into any contract with a new business partner and/or client, it is extremely important to be aware of areas where you need to be on your guard.

The British Franchise Association

(bfa)

The British Franchise Association (bfa), was formed to act in the interests of the industry as a whole in assessing and accrediting franchising companies as those which meet its criteria for the structure of the franchise business, the terms of the contract between franchisor and franchisee, the testing of the system and its success as a franchise.

Nick Williams

Ashtons Franchise Consulting

Nick Williams is an experienced national and international franchise development consultant who has worked in the UK franchise industry since 2000.

Richard Holden

Lloyds Bank

Richard Holden has over 30 years of experience working at Lloyds Bank and has spent the last 8 years heading up the bank’s franchise team.

Jane Masih

Owen White Solicitors

Jane is head of franchising at Owen White. Owen White is one of the leading franchise specialists in the UK with over 40 years experience of advising franchisors and franchisees.

Victoria Eustace

Owen White Solicitors

Victoria is an Associate Solicitor at Owen White Solicitors. She works on a broad range of matters including franchising and commercial contract disputes for franchisors and franchisees.

Chris Roberts

Chantry Group

Following the successful sale of Franchise Finance Limited to Hitachi Capital and the completion of a 12 month work-out period, I’ve been appointed as Chairman to assist with the relaunch and growth of the Chantry Group, consisting of the three divisions: 1) Franchise Recruitment, 2) Franchise Marketing, and 3) Franchise Valuations and Resales (new).

Suzanne Melville

whichfranchise.com

Suzanne Melville is the Marketing Manager for whichfranchise and has over 20 years of experience in franchising. Suzanne is very experienced in franchisee recruitment, working closely with franchisors to help produce tailored solutions for their franchisee recruitment needs.

Iain Martin

The Franchising Centre

Iain has been involved in matching individuals to opportunities for virtually all of his working life. Iain focuses on ‘matchmaking’ – helping national and international franchisors find suitable partners, and helping individuals seeking a franchise, to find one that matches their professional and personal requirements. He works with The Franchising Centre supporting international brands seeking UK partners, and has a separate business, Mr Franchise Ltd, which supports individuals seeking a suitable franchise.

Farrah Rose

The Franchising Centre

Farrah has unrivalled experience in international franchising and has been operating in this field since 1984. Initially working for major corporations, such as Burger King and Arcadia Group Plc, Farrah began advising businesses as a consultant in 1996. Farrah is now recognised as one of the leading authorities on international franchising and her expertise is sought by companies around the world.

Martin O'Neill

WJM

Martin is ranked as a leading individual in Franchising in the Chambers Guide to the Legal Profession 2015. He adds depth to the practice's franchising offering with his corporate and commercial experience, which includes contracts, purchases and sales. He advises an enviable list of business clients, and sources say: "He has always displayed sound knowledge with excellent presentation skills and technical ability."

Nigel Toplis

The Bardon Group

Nigel Toplis is Managing Director of The Bardon Group stable of franchises which includes Kall Kwik, Recognition Express, ComputerXplorers and Techclean. The Group specialises in developing and growing franchised businesses in the UK.

Bill Hendrie

The Franchise Development Centre

Bill has been active in franchising since 1994 working with both franchisors and franchisees. His business background covers a diverse range of sectors from retail to recruitment with his roles encompassing customer service, training, sales and marketing. As Franchise Director of a national recruitment company he has been instrumental in the launch of numerous successful franchisee start- ups.

Cathryn Hayes

Revive! Auto Innovations

Cathryn Hayes, Franchise Director at Revive! Auto Innovations, has over 20 years’ experience in franchising, formerly as Head of Franchising at HSBC and later as British Franchise Association (bfa) Head of Business Support. She has a high profile within the franchise industry, having been a judge for the prestigious bfa HSBC Franchisor and Franchisee of the Year Awards for many years. Cathryn contributes regular articles to the franchise press and other business media, as well as presenting at franchise exhibitions, bfa events and conferences, franchise and business events. She has achieved the bfa’s Qualified Franchise Professional status.

John H Pratt

Hamilton Pratt

John Pratt is the immediate past Legal Advisor to the British Franchise Association and a past Chair of the International Bar Association’s International Franchise Committee and Director of the American Bar Association’s International Franchising Division.

Matt O’Neill

Franchise Advisory Service

Matt O’Neill has more than 20 years’ experience in the world of franchising and has helped hundreds of people realize their dream of becoming business owners. Matt is currently the owner of Franchise Advisory Service, an independent franchise consultancy and Franchise Seminars, an online series of educational videos that give a step-by-step guide to franchising from the comfort of your home.

David Irving

Mundays

David's work is mainly of a commercial nature and covers a wide range of disciplines including professional partnership advice, joint venture agreements, general commercial agreements, and copyright matters. David has particular experience in the healthcare (particularly pharmaceutical and the acquisition of branded products) and logistics (including aviation) sectors.

Rev PR

Rev PR is a specialist franchise PR agency Headed up by industry experts Sally Anne Butters and Lucy Maisey, the team at Rev PR focus on PR to boost the businesses of franchisors and franchisees alike.

Andrew Quick

Stevens & Bolton

Andrew is a commercial disputes partner at Stevens & Bolton LLP and a member of its franchising team, as ranked in both the Legal 500 and Chambers UK Legal Directory.

Suzie McCafferty

Platinum Wave

Suzie is an active member of the UK and International franchise communities, and having grown her own franchise businesses both UK and Internationally within the retail and professional services industries, she is a regular key note speaker at leading franchising and business events.

Graeme Payne

Bird & Bird

Graeme is a partner in the Commercial Group of Bird & Bird, based in London. Graeme Payne is one of the leading advisers on franchising issues. He works closely with businesses to determine and develop the most commercially appropriate expansion models and routes to market.

Stuart Lee

Atlas Mapping

Stuart has hands-on experience of franchise territory mapping for over 150 brands in the UK and internationally. He works with a range of franchisors helping new franchises to establish strong territory foundations and supports international brands to analyse complex networks and apply best practise territory management.

Fiona Boswell

Fraser Brown

Fiona Boswell is Head of Franchising at Fraser Brown. Fiona co-ordinates the Fraser Brown franchise team that advise businesses on all legal aspects concerning franchising, including contracts, disputes, mediation, resales, international franchising, HR, property and brand issues. Fiona is a Chambers 2020 Ranked Lawyer and a Legal 500 2020 Recommended Lawyer.

Sarah Carlile

Coconut Creatives

Sarah Carlile is the Founding Director of Coconut Creatives, the franchise industry’s leading and award-winning provider of marketing services for franchise recruitment.

Nicola Broadhurst

Stevens and Bolton

Nicola is a commercial partner and heads up the franchise team at Stevens & Bolton. She specialises in the commercial aspects of franchising, advising both franchisors and franchisees but with a particular focus on international expansion.

Andrew Fraser

Albany Fraser Solicitors

Andrew Fraser is the owner of newly launched legal firm Albany Fraser Solicitors, a boutique commercial law firm with franchising at its heart. Before starting his own law firm, Andrew worked for Harper Macleod. Andrew acts on behalf of franchisors and franchisees throughout the UK on all manner of franchising issues including helping businesses to franchise, buying and selling franchised businesses, controlling franchise networks and managing franchise disputes.

Manzoor G.K. Ishani

Sherrards

Manzoor Ishani is a senior consultant solicitor with Sherrards, a commercial law practice advising franchisors and franchisees in the UK and internationally. He has specialised in franchising for more than 30 years and is a former member of the legal committee of the BFA and co-author of Franchising in the UK, Franchising in Europe and Franchising in Canada.