With over half a million people currently employed in franchising, it is a business proposition that clearly has strong appeal. The event will enable those thinking of setting up their own business to explore options and gather all the information they need.
A wide range of franchise businesses across sectors such as property, home care, technology, food and retail will be at the event. These include Local People, United Carpets, Platinum Property Partners, Nomasvello, Lawn Keeper, Riverford Organic Vegetables, McDonald’s, Bluebird Care and Plug and Play Design.
Visitors can have confidence in the companies they meet, as the exhibition is still the only franchise event in the North endorsed by the British Franchise Association (bfa), the regulatory body for franchising in the UK. This means that all companies exhibiting have met the Association’s code of ethical franchising.
The comprehensive franchise event is the perfect starting point for any budding franchisee with many free features to help visitors gain answers to all the key questions they need to consider before making the step into owning a franchise.
Jane and David Allen from Leek in Staffordshire who are self-employed and visited the exhibition last year commented: “We have found the seminars very useful and there is plenty of free advice available at the show such as the bfa and the banks. The show has provided us with good ideas of where to look next and areas for further research.”
The Franchisee Panel is always a popular feature as it offers a valuable insight into life as a franchisee, providing an opportunity to hear first-hand accounts of the transition period from being employee to a self-employed franchise owner.
Exclusive to the British Franchise Exhibition are the Franchisee Recruitment Open Sessions held by McDonald’s. Visitors can find out about what goes on behind the scenes of one of the world’s biggest brands and investigate whether becoming a McDonald’s franchisee is right for them.
There is also an extensive free conference programme, which includes practical advice seminars by the bfa. During these sessions, a panel of experts will cover all aspects of franchising including how to find funding, where to go for legal advice and what a franchisor looks for in a franchisee.
For those with a large amount of liquid capital to invest on a high return franchise, the VIP High Level Investment Lounge is the perfect place to explore business opportunities and network with other entrepreneurs and franchisors.
The British Franchise Exhibition is open from 10am each day, closing at 5pm on Friday 8 June and 4pm on Saturday 9 June 2012.
