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Business Doctors is a multi-award winning franchise that offers SME businesses a unique consultancy service.
With full training and on-going support from our dedicated team, our franchisees launch and build their own thriving management business. Franchise owners operate within the consulting industry, not as traditional consultants, but offer ‘hands-on’ practical support to both small and medium-sized businesses seeking next level growth.
Business Doctors is a Full member of the British Franchise Association.
How much does a Business Doctors franchise cost?
The cost of a Business Doctor franchise is £37,500 (excluding working capital).
*Banks can lend 50-70% of the cost depending upon your financial history.
Thanks to Business Doctors, Caroline can have her cake and eat it!
Caroline Pearman
Running a successful cake business was something Caroline Pearman had dreamed of since learning to bake with her grandmother as a little girl.
But, after taking the plunge and leaving her busy job as a university project manager, she quickly found that her dream was turning into a nightmare.
And it wasn’t for lack of business - Caroline’s Cakes quickly became so popular, she found herself working well into night, seven days a week, to keep up with demand. But the huge workload was leaving her stressed, ill and so tired that she contemplated going back to a 9 to 5 job for some respite.
But, after a chance encounter with Business Doctor Simon Monaghan and just half a day’s consultancy, Caroline was able to drastically reduce the number of hours she worked AND increase her turnover by a huge 77% in under two years.
“I’d been a project manager in the commercial sector for 20 years, but reaching 40 made me rethink my career,” explains Caroline. “I really wanted to turn my passion for baking into a business, and watching The Great British Bake Off on TV made me think that there might be a niche market I could work in."
“I took a year’s sabbatical to test the water before committing, and started working from home,” she continues. “It was a very organic growth: I didn’t really have a plan. I just contacted people I knew from my job as a change manager at the University of Leeds and friends at the Women’s Institute in Chapel Allerton, and it took off from there.”
Although she didn’t have a firm business plan, Caroline did receive a small amount of support from the Leeds Chamber of Commerce, and it was at one of their workshops that she met Business Doctor for Leeds and North Yorkshire, Simon Monaghan.
“By that point, I had two cafes and a chain of bars on my books and demand was exceeding what I was able to supply,” says Caroline. “I was run ragged, stressed and was making myself feel ill – I couldn’t see a way forward.”
After an initial chat, Simon went away and identified funding that would allow Caroline to invest in consultancy to help her drive the business forward at a sustainable pace. The Walter Smith Employer Leadership Project, part of the government’s Employer Ownership of Skills Programme, was a special scheme for the food and beverage sector, which ended in March 2016. The scheme funded up to 70% of costs related to business training, which allowed Caroline to spend half a day with Simon to get to help her to work out what – and how – she wanted to do with the business.
“It was just half a day but it really opened my eyes,” says Caroline. “I’m a project manager myself; thinking about strategy and planning is what I do, but I wasn’t doing it for myself. You really need someone who’s impartial and hasn’t got that emotional investment."
“Simon was very clear about asking the right sort of questions and getting me to think about why I was doing it and what I wanted to achieve long term. We explored how I could expand my business while still being involved and baking but allowing me to retain control. I admit, I’m a bit of a control freak and I didn’t want to lose the quality.”
For Simon, it was an issue he was very familiar with.
“The problem with establishing a business based on the skills of one person is you’re limited to the number of hours you can work in a week – it’s impossible to grow further than that,” he says. “Taking on an employee isn’t always the answer, as there’s so much responsibility that goes with it. And, because Caroline worked from home, it would have meant taking on a unit, which just throws further complications into the mix.”
So Simon came up with a plan to expand via a network of associates: Caroline would retain control of the business and the quality of the cakes, but outsource production to other local baking enthusiasts who would operate on a self-employed basis.
Caroline explains: “After that first meeting I went away and set my sights on finding the right people who had the same values as me: expert bakers who could add their skills to what I was already doing. I went through my networks and put the word out and had a great response.”
Now, Caroline has four associates, all of whom share her passion for baking and can produce the quality products she insists on.
“I have two ladies who are experts in decorating, which I also love but is very time consuming, and another two who bake and decorate. The beauty of the model is that I’m not employing them, but I can outsource a huge amount of work which has allowed me to really grow the business.”
With two full-time and two part-time bakers working under the Caroline’s Cakes mantel, business is booming: turnover has leapt by a massive 77%.
“It’s made a hell of a difference, not just financially, but personally as well,” says Caroline. “The main reason for giving up my job at the university was so I can spend time with my husband and parents – I’m a carer for my father, who has Alzheimer’s – and fulfill my passion for travel.
“Now, I can go away and leave my business in the hands of people I trust; it’s sustainable even when I’m not there, and I have the quality of life I was looking for when I started out. Without Simon, I would have made myself ill and I wouldn’t have been able to carry on.
“It’s incredible that in just half a day I was able to totally change the business model and turn it around to the extent I have. When you’re a small business it feels a bit frivolous to spend money on advice, but one of the things I’ve taken away is investing in that strategy and long-term planning is essential, no matter how much experience you have.”
To request Business Doctor's FREE franchise prospectus, click here.
Business Doctors is a management and career franchise opportunity that helps business to put growth strategies in place and implement the actions necessary to realise this. Franchisees provide clients with personalised advice, instructive assessments, personal coaching and mentoring and hands facilitation.
There are two levels offered by the Business Doctors franchise, Local Area Franchisee and Regional Franchise Manager. This is not a traditional consulting franchise so no previous experience as a consultant is required but a professional experience and business acumen is needed as well as motivation to learn a new role.
Business Doctors is more than a consulting franchise, it is a prestigious management and career opportunity. As a Local Area Franchisee or Regional Franchise Manager, you will assist small and medium sized business to flourish.
In this video, franchisees share their vision of what Business Doctors is.
Business Doctors launches new rural territory for the Lakes and Dales!
Business Doctors, the SME support franchise, has launched a new rural territory to cover the Lakes and Dales.
Let’s cut to the chase and find out if we are right for each other... Are you passionate about business?
Do you have a desire to help others?
If you answered ‘yes’ and ‘yes’, then you have much in common with our other Business Doctors franchisees.
Here is one of many examples...Graham Robson, Business Doctor for Tyne Tees and former recruitment industry managing director, was looking for a franchise that enabled him to pass on what he had learned during 38 years in business. He says: “If you can’t enjoy it, don’t do it!" and we couldn’t agree more.
Business Doctors franchise partners provide a high-quality package to SMEs, supporting their varying needs and facilitating them to grow.
Established in 2004 by Rod Davies and Matthew Levington, Business Doctors is a network of entrepreneurs who are passionate about sharing their experience and skills with small and medium sized businesses.
Our Business Doctors franchise partners don’t just coach or train, but get right into the nuts and bolts of SMEs, helping them to achieve their aspirations for growth and profitability.
We offer a host of exclusive branded programmes, designed to identify and develop effective strategic plans for every kind of SME. Does this resonate with you?
The Rewards
Operating a Business Doctors franchise offers a working day like no other - with huge variety and job satisfaction.
Chris Simpson, franchisee for Gatwick Diamond, and former IT industry CEO says: "I love doing what I do and helping business owners realise their goals"
Former private sector director Jeff Long, now Business Doctor’s Leeds franchisee, says: "Last week I worked with four completely different businesses. I never, ever, experience a dull moment".
Part of a Thriving Market
In 2004, Business Doctors recognised a unique and untapped niche in the market: practical, down-to-earth, and holistic support for small and medium sized businesses.
The need for our services is self-evident. The Management Consultancies Association (MCA) identified three of the largest and fastest-growing markets within management consulting to be operational improvement, financial management and project management.
It’s no coincidence that this magic trio is at the heart of the Business Doctors offer. There are three million VAT-registered SMEs in the UK, and no other national network is set up to target this kind of support to them.
The Many Benefits of Joining Us
Business Doctors is a tried-and-test system with over ten years’ history behind it. With established territories in the UK and overseas, franchisees can be confident they are buying into a method with longevity and great potential.
Cardiff franchisee and former Chamber of Commerce director Graham L Morgan, says: “I was very interested in the ‘tools’ offered by the Business Doctors kit bag and with a background in supporting SMEs, I could see just how relevant and saleable they were. The fact that Business Doctors is already established across key parts of the UK also played a big part in my decision to buy a franchise”.
A recognised name across the industry, Business Doctors has won and been shortlisted for a multitude of awards, including continuous improvement winner and finalist in the overall best franchise category of the Best Franchise Awards 2014, a finalist in four categories at the Franchise Marketing Awards 2015, Business & Industry Today’s company of the year 2014 and HSBC B2B Franchisee of The Year Finalist 2016.
Another major benefit of joining Business Doctors is that you are never alone. With over 40 franchisees in the UK network, Business Doctors frequently call upon each other’s expertise and many choose to work collaboratively.
“We share best practice and our experiences of overcoming particular challenges,” says Richard Tidswell, franchisee for Avon and Somerset, who has a background in retailing, strategy and asset planning within a private utilities company. “I really appreciate the ongoing support that comes from both head office and the rest of the network,” he adds.
The Investment
The minimum investment required to launch our franchise is £37,500 +VAT* - Financing is available through third parties.
All four of the high street banks are happy to lend up to 70% of the franchise fee and working capital. We are also approved by HMRC under a scheme where you can release your pension to enable you to invest in your own business. We are happy to discuss financing options with you and point you in the direction of funding.
What do I get for my Investment?
Business Doctors will provide you with everything you require to get you started and the tools needed to build up a thriving business. Our toolkit includes:
A tried-and-tested business model – a blueprint for your success
Fully supported lead generation and client acquisition system
Full training and on-going support from our dedicated franchise support team
Your own territory in the UK – which would cover around 10,000 SMEs
A website and marketing portal
A complete and comprehensive franchise package
Training
Business Doctors provides all franchisees with in-depth training from day one so that they gain a thorough understanding of the services on offer, the marketplace, business operations, proprietary systems and much more.
You would also gain access to our comprehensive operations manual throughout the duration of your agreement, so that you can refer to every aspect of our business practice quickly and easily.
Support
As a Business Doctors franchisee, you are not alone. Our dedicated and professional support team assist you every step of the way – from the first few steps in your due diligence to launch, as well as any questions or challenges you have years down the line.
If you like what you see so far, have business experience at a managerial level, and could see yourself as part of our network, why not get in touch and we can talk this through in more detail?
Interested and want to know more?
By filling in the form below you will be able to receive a copy of the Business Doctors prospectus.
This will provide you with more detailed information on the franchise opportunity and allow you to contact them direct with any questions you may have.
This is FREE and non-obligatory; we never share or sell your personal information.
With full training and on-going support from our dedicated team, our franchisees launch and build their own thriving management business. Franchise owners operate within the consulting industry, not as traditional consultants, but offer ‘hands-on’ practical support to both small and medium-sized businesses seeking next level growth. 
Caroline Pearman
Here is one of many examples...Graham Robson, Business Doctor for Tyne Tees and former recruitment industry managing director, was looking for a franchise that enabled him to pass on what he had learned during 38 years in business. He says: “If you can’t enjoy it, don’t do it!" and we couldn’t agree more.
Chris Simpson, franchisee for Gatwick Diamond, and former IT industry CEO says: "I love doing what I do and helping business owners realise their goals"
Cardiff franchisee and former Chamber of Commerce director Graham L Morgan, says: “I was very interested in the ‘tools’ offered by the Business Doctors kit bag and with a background in supporting SMEs, I could see just how relevant and saleable they were. The fact that Business Doctors is already established across key parts of the UK also played a big part in my decision to buy a franchise”.
Another major benefit of joining Business Doctors is that you are never alone. With over 40 franchisees in the UK network, Business Doctors frequently call upon each other’s expertise and many choose to work collaboratively.
A tried-and-tested business model – a blueprint for your success