Posted:13-January-2021
Exclusive Interview with Darren Sambrooks, Little Dessert Shop Franchisee in Dudley
Name: Darren Sambrooks
Location: intu Merry Hill Centre, Dudley
Franchise: Little Dessert Shop
Tell us a bit about yourself and what you were doing prior to buying a franchise business?
Previously I have been the area manager for Halfords Autocentres for many years and currently own a multiple unit franchise with the Hi-Q brand.
Why did you go down the franchise route? What made you choose your industry? And why did you choose your franchise?
I currently own and run several garages under the Hi-Q network brand and so I know how franchising works. I wanted a new model that was profitable and something my wife could be involved with. Having completed extensive research looking into financials, costs, return on investment I felt Little Dessert Shop was the ideal choice for me.
How did you raise the finance?
I had approx. 50% of capital available to me at the time, the rest was raised by finance with assistance from the banks.
What training and support did you receive initially and ongoing?
"The training & support was paramount to my success."
The team at Little Dessert Shop helped with site selection, lease negotiations and terms, staff recruitment and selection, store design, induction training and support. The store operations, health & safety and food hygiene manual are the core of my success. Every guideline is documented, the area support team is always on hand for day to day support.
What is a typical day for you as a franchisee?
Everyday is totally different, I meet people from all walks of life, and the store is always a buzz from opening to closing. Desserts are everyone’s favourite from young children to the older generation. But that does not mean its all fun and games. It is hard work but now that I have the right staff in place I am looking to open another store.
I start my day with on the phone meetings with the garage managers. Then make my way down to the Little Dessert Shop store as my wife tends to manager the day-to-day running. She acts as a store manager but she will be involved more with my heavy expansion plan. Once the store is operational and the staff know what they are doing it was easy to pull out. The way the model works is for the franchisee to concentrate on expanding their own-networked business.
What challenges have you faced?
I struggled with the cooking and handling food, with the garages it was a total different ball game, but the head office team and my beautiful wife assisted me. The operations side of the side of the kitchen is simple, its like an assembly of ingredients into a master piece of dessert. But the first 3 months was tough learning the right way to make the product in line with the branding as well as leading the staff.
Has becoming a franchisee changed your life, if so how?
My daily life is the same just slightly more challenging; I have a business that my family enjoy being part of, especially my kids who love ice cream.
"The branding is amazing & everyone knows about the Little Dessert Shop."
What is the most invaluable piece of advice you could give someone looking to buy their first franchise?
Do your research and due diligence, not all franchised business are the right one for you, just like no two people at the same. It is important to get to know whom you are working with and that the business model is robust as they say. Franchising is like a marriage once you sign the agreement you are married to the brand for several years sometimes-even life.
What are your plans for the future?
Having enjoyed considerable success, I am planning on growing my business with several other outlets opening in the coming months. I believe that this venture is the right one to invest my time and capital as the market is growing and many areas of the UK are unexplored.
Learn more about opportunities with Little Dessert Shop by requesting a prospectus here!
Interested and want to know more about Little Dessert Shop?
The Little Dessert Shop basic profile outlines aspects of their franchise opportunity
