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TaxAssist Accountants is celebrating after winning Excellence in Branding at the 2026 East Anglian Marketing Awards. The award celebrates bold, distinctive and consistent brand identities and rebrands that successfully combine strategic thinking with creative execution.
GYMPODS, the private gym concept that gives members and PTs their own fully equipped workout space, is launching a nationwide franchise expansion and looking for partners to bring the brand to towns and cities across the UK. Founded by fitness industry veterans Mike and Simon, who have more than 50 years of combined industry experience, GYMPODS opened its first London location in late 2022 following two years of development and testing.
British franchise brands have once again taken podium positions at last night’s European Franchise Awards organised by the European Franchise Federation (EFF). Winning British brands were domiciliary home care brand Caremark, Franchisor of the Year (Bronze); Marlene Meyer, Mini First Aid, Franchisee of the Year (Silver) and Natalia Shvarts from Excello Law, Industry Expert (Bronze.)
A new Panku franchisee is already seeing impressive results just six weeks after taking over the Japanese food counter in ASDA, Shirley, achieving his best-ever sales week, demonstrating the potential for business growth with the right support. Since taking over the counter, Md Abul Kalam Azad has continued to build momentum, with sales growing week-on-week as he puts his experience into practice, benefitting from the support of the wider Wonderfield Group, the parent company behind Panku and YO!
Maths education specialist Mathnasium UK has launched its biggest and most sophisticated integrated TV campaign to date, as part of a significant wider investment in marketing support for its growing UK franchise network.
TaxAssist Accountants has endorsed Engager practice management software for its network of more than 230 accountancy practices, strengthening its long-standing partnership with TaxCalc.The endorsement follows a detailed review of practice management solutions and reflects TaxAssist's commitment to providing its network with technology that improves efficiency, consistency and client experience.
RNR – Restore & Recharge is heading to The National Franchise Exhibition at the NEC Birmingham on 2–3 October 2026, giving visitors the opportunity to experience our recovery and wellness concept first-hand. At Stand J240, we’re going beyond the traditional exhibition stand and bringing a fully working RNR studio directly to the show floor. Our recovery technology – including whole-body cryotherapy, red light therapy and hyperbaric oxygen – will be live and operational throughout the event.
Duck & Dry, the premium blow-dry and styling brand, has unveiled plans for significant UK expansion, targeting up to 60 locations within the next five years through a combination of franchised and company-owned salons. The expansion will be accelerated through a partnership with Hero Brands, the team behind high-growth brands including German Doner Kebab and Sides, bringing proven expertise in franchise development, operator recruitment and brand scaling.
German Doner Kebab (GDK) has partnered with Europe’s leading meat alternative brand, The Vegetarian Butcher, to introduce a new and improved recipe across all of GDK’s vegetarian and plant-based kebab offerings. Available across all UK branches, GDK’s OV Kebab Vegetarian and OV Kebab Plant-Based dishes now use The Vegetarian Butcher’s NoChicken Chunks designed to deliver the taste, texture and versatility of real chicken.
TaxAssist Accountants has been awarded 5-Star Franchisee Satisfaction status for the 14th consecutive year, as its latest independent survey records an increase in both satisfaction and participation. The latest independent survey, conducted by leading franchise consultancy WorkBuzz, also saw TaxAssist Accountants rewarded for continuous improvement, reflecting the Group's ongoing focus on listening to franchisees and enhancing the support, systems and opportunities available across the network.
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Registered Office
2.19 Nicholls House Homer Close
Tachbrook Park
Leamington Spa
Warwickshire, UK
CV34 6TT