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 UNITED KINGDOM FRANCHISE NEWS ARCHIVE
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: 2009
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Peterborough leads the way in franchising world.
peterboroughtoday.co.uk - Peterborough once again became the leading example for franchising when at the recent British Franchise Association's annual general meeting, the city's group of franchise businesses stood out... [more] 18 Dec, 2009
Bluebird Care awarded coveted full membership of the BFA.
thebfa.org - Bluebird Care has marked the end of a highly successful year by securing full membership of the British Franchise Association (BFA). ... [more] 17 Dec, 2009
Laura Ashley like-for-likes rise 4.9%
retail-week.com - Homewares and womenswear retailer Laura Ashley expects full year trading to be broadly in line with company expectations. ... [more] 16 Dec, 2009
Mothercare creates 400 new jobs.
news.bbc.co.uk - Mothercare, the baby products retailer, has announced it will create 400 jobs as part of plans to open 33 parenting centres across the UK. ... [more] 18 Nov, 2009
M&S appoints new chief executive.
news.bbc.co.uk - Marks and Spencer has announced that Morrisons boss Marc Bolland will become its new chief executive. ... [more] 18 Nov, 2009
Chipotle Gets Chummy with London.
qsrmagazine.com - Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. secured its first London location and is finalizing design and building plans. The restaurant, located at 114-116 Charing Cross Road, will be Chipotle's first location in Europe... [more] 17 Nov, 2009
Baby Boom Boosts Rhythm Time Business Franchises.
news.yahoo.com - Britain’s new population explosion is boosting demand for Rhythm Time baby music classes as the business franchises expand across the UK. ... [more] 13 Nov, 2009
Threshers' franchisees are 'determined to resist' transfer to new First Quench owner.
independent.co.uk - The majority of Threshers' franchisees have told the administrators of First Quench Retailing (FQR), the off-licence chain's owner, that they plan to resist any attempt to force them into a sale... [more] 11 Nov, 2009
Revive 'Game-Keeper Turns Poacher' as Head Office Manager Buys a Franchise.
thebfa.org - What better endorsement for a franchise than when the business development manager reaches into his own pocket to buy a territory! ... [more] 5 Nov, 2009
M&S optimism on economy grows as profits beat forecasts.
independent.co.uk - Sir Stuart Rose, the executive chairman of Marks & Spencer, called the bottom of the recession yesterday but warned that it might be 2011 before the UK returns to historical growth levels. ... [more] 5 Nov, 2009
Franchise market is under the spotlight.
belfasttelegraph.co.uk - Budding entrepreneurs in the Belfast and Lisburn areas are being urged to tap into Northern Ireland’s £400 million franchise market. ... [more] 4 Nov, 2009
A Handy Franchise That's Always in Demand.
thebfa.org - 0800 Handyman is pleased to announce the launch of its first new franchise operation outside the Greater London area. ... [more] 26 Oct, 2009
Belvoir recruitment drive moves into top gear.
thebfa.org - Belvoir, one of the UK's largest independent specialist lettings agencies, enjoyed what is described as "their best show for ten years," at the 2009 National Franchise Exhibition. ... [more] 22 Oct, 2009
O’Briens bought for unknown sum.
irishexaminer.com - Abrakebabra Investments Limited (AIL) has acquired theliquidated O’Briens Irish Sandwich Bar group’s interests in the Republic of Ireland for an undisclosed fee. ... [more] 16 Oct, 2009
Spar franchise searches for first marketing director.
mad.co.uk - Spar UK, the convenience store group, is looking to fill the newly created marketing director post at regional franchisee Capper & Co. ... [more] 15 Oct, 2009
M&S forced to look within for next chief.
independent.co.uk - Three Marks & Spencer managers yesterday gave their pitch for the top job at an investor day in which the group announced a £1bn investment in overhauling its IT and supply chain. ... [more] 14 Oct, 2009
Learn the facts on franchising.
halifaxcourier.co.uk - Existing and potential franchisees can attend a seminar explaining new business opportunities available to them tomorrow (Oct 13) at an event hosted by Halifax law firm, BHP Clarksons. ... [more] 12 Oct, 2009
Thorntons UK grows following franchisee collapse.
insideretailing.com.au - UK chocolatier Thorntons traded strongly throughout its first quarter, growing sales by 2.3 per cent to £46.8 million. ... [more] 8 Oct, 2009
The Phat Pasty Co win prestigious Lunch Multiple Retailer of the Year 2009.
thebfa.org - The Phat Pasty Co has won a major national award, crowned winners of the prestigious Lunch! Retailer of the Year Award held at Old Billingsgate, London at the Lunch! Contemporary food to go show on the 2nd October. ... [more] 8 Oct, 2009
Grassroots Finalists.
thebfa.org - The lawn treatment business, GreenThumb, based in St Asaph, Denbighshire, has been named a finalist in the annual Wales Marketing Awards. ... [more] 5 Oct, 2009
'Edgy' coffee house.
business7.co.uk - The founder of the Beanscene coffee shop chain is moving into the licensed trade. Gordon Richardson's onebiggroove group is teaming up with Scottish & Newcastle Pub Enterprises to roll out two new... [more] 2 Oct, 2009
Marks and Spencer sales improving.
news.bbc.co.uk - Sales at Marks and Spencer have stabilised, reflecting an improved performance after a tough 18 months for the retailer. ... [more] 30 Sep, 2009
Martin & Co Attending National Franchise Exhibition.
thebfa.org - Martin & Co, the UK's no1 letting agent and award winning franchise, are exhibiting at The National Franchise Exhibition at the NEC in Birmingham on the 2nd and 3rd of October. ... [more] 30 Sep, 2009
Royle Security franchise expansion.
manchestereveningnews.co.uk - An Oldham security company is looking to expand across the UK by offering 100 franchises to investors. ... [more] 21 Sep, 2009
'I won't accept Scottish notes at McDonald's restaurant'.
thisissouthwales.co.uk - A fast food owner has defended his decision to not accept Scottish bank notes at his restaurants. McDonald's franchisee Ron Mounsey has come under fire from customers for refusing to accept... [more] 21 Sep, 2009
French Connection cuts costs as losses double.
independent.co.uk - French Connection today said it had cut head office jobs and closed its Northern European arm amid a doubling of half-year losses. ... [more] 17 Sep, 2009
Australian franchise rights go to Scot.
business.scotsman.com - The Australia-based speciality home retailing company Howards Storage World is to open a chain of stores across Britain and has awarded the master franchisee rights to a Scottish businessman. ... [more] 15 Sep, 2009
Recruitment benefits from recovery.
thebfa.org - Transport and logistics recruiter Driver Hire has around 100 branches across the UK and is now reporting real signs of business growth in many areas of the UK. ... [more] 11 Sep, 2009
NHS hospital begins franchising process.
cambridge-news.co.uk - A process which will lead to the management of Hinchingbrooke Hospital being franchised, possibly to the private sector, has started. ... [more] 4 Sep, 2009
Fast food's 'Fried Rice man' has a little eastern promise.
crainsmanchesterbusiness.co.uk - A Hong Kong-born entrepreneur who has built a network of branded Chinese fast food outlets is looking to either franchise his chain or take on equity investors in a bid to boost growth. ... [more] 24 Aug, 2009
Grow your industry with a gardening franchise.
thisismoney.co.uk - For some people, the idea of getting their hands dirty is very appealing. That is why a gardening franchise could be the life changing experience they are looking for. ... [more] 17 Aug, 2009
Southern-based franchise hair group set to open 3 new franchises with nationwide expansion in the North.
thebfa.org - Demonstrating that even during an unstable economic climate there are still some UK businesses which remain resilient, award-winning hairdressing group hob salons are set to open 3 new franchises. ... [more] 9 Aug, 2009
Budget Travel franchise in liquidation. A Budget Travel franchisee with branches in the midlands has gone into liquidation, it was announced today. The Portlaoise Travel Group had premises in Tullamore, Kilkenny, Carlow and Portlaoise. .... [more]
30 Jul, 2009
Coffee Republic deal due next week. Coffee Republic’s administrators have granted a period of exclusivity to a preferred buyer of all or parts of the coffee shop chain, it emerged today. .... [more]
21 Jul, 2009
Pizza Entrepreneurs Hooked On Domino's. The recession has led to more out-of-work businessmen trying on an apron for size and opening their own Domino's franchise store, eager to get a slice of the company's success while the financial sector struggles to find growth. .... [more]
20 Jul, 2009
Coffee Republic 'gave me no help' says city franchisee. Jason McGuire invested £200,000 in a Coffee Republic franchise hoping to strike a blow for a British brand in a market dominated by Starbucks. But six months later on July 7, the froth on the cappuccino went flat. .... [more]
20 Jul, 2009
Franchised delivery service boom. A former supply chain manager has set up a successful independent home delivery service after becoming disillusioned with the UK supermarket sector. .... [more]
18 Jul, 2009
Moss Bros eyes 40 new shops in 'buyer's market'. Moss Bros, the men's branded suit specialist, has revealed ambitious plans to grow its store numbers by up to 40 per cent as it seeks to take advantage of a soft retail property market during the economic downturn. .... [more]
13 Jul, 2009
British franchisees face reality of recession. From Dyno-Rod plumbers to Domino’s Pizza branch operators, Subway sandwich makers and Scottish & Newcastle pub leaseholders, British franchisees are facing up to recession. .... [more]
10 Jul, 2009
Ten Coffee Republic outlets close. Ten of the 20 outlets directly owned by coffee chain Coffee Republic have closed with the loss of 66 jobs, the firm's administrators have said. .... [more]
9 Jul, 2009
Rose embarrassed by angry investors at Marks & Spencer's annual meeting. Investors sent a clear message to Marks & Spencer executive chairman Sir Stuart Rose today that they want big changes in the way the retailer's boardroom is run. .... [more]
8 Jul, 2009
Coffee Republic in administration. The coffee chain Coffee Republic has gone into administration, becoming the latest victim of the economic downturn. Twenty of its 187 UK outlets are directly-owned and affected by the administration. The rest are franchises or concessions in cinemas or hotels. .... [more]
7 Jul, 2009
M&S set for clash with investors on chairmanship. Marks & Spencer will clash with investors this week over the retailer's continued refusal to countenance splitting up executive chairman Sir Stuart Rose's job. .... [more]
6 Jul, 2009
M&S prepares to repel rebels. Marks & Spencer has asked for the corporate governance code to clarify its rules on a chief executive becoming chairman – the key issue on which it faces a shareholder revolt this week. .... [more]
5 Jul, 2009
Coffee Republic suspends share trading. It looks like it could be the end of the line for Coffee Republic, the chain of coffee shops founded in 1995 by brother and sister Bobby and Sahar Hashemi. .... [more]
3 Jul, 2009
O’Briens sandwich shop staff ‘in limbo’ following administration. Owners of two O’Briens sandwich shops in York and their total of 14 employees are “in limbo” now that their franchisor has gone into administration. .... [more]
1 Jul, 2009
GreenThumb makes its mark in branding. A North Wales company, which earlier this year announced the creation of 1,000 jobs, has won a major award. The lawn treatment service, GreenThumb, was named Brand Builder of the Year in the British Franchise Association’s annual awards. .... [more]
1 Jul, 2009
Threshers fails to deliver for franchisees. Some franchisees of the off-licence chain Threshers are suffering a stock crisis and are furious about how its private equity-owned parent, First Quench Group, is running the operation. .... [more]
30 Jun, 2009
Double celebration for NBC Bird and Pest Solutions. NBC have 2 big reasons to celebrate. Having reached 5 years of franchising they have also just achieved Full Member status with the BFA. .... [more]
25 Jun, 2009
Franchising gold award for Cheadle Hulme firm. Horticulture, gardening & landscaping contractor Countrywide Grounds Maintenance has won a gold award from the British Franchise Association. .... [more]
23 Jun, 2009
Blackburn pizza shop switches to halal menu. A takeaway restaurant will start serving halal pizzas in an attempt to bring in more Muslim customers. Domino’s Pizza, Whalley New Road, Roe Lee, Blackburn, has secured accreditation from the Halal Food Authority (HFA). .... [more]
23 Jun, 2009
Marks & Spencer chairman Stuart Rose gives up more than £1m in share rights. Marks & Spencer executive chairman Sir Stuart Rose has given up shares worth £1.16m after shareholders objected to the level of awards under the company's performance share plan. .... [more]
22 Jun, 2009
O'Briens UK business in administration. O'Briens Sandwich Bars today confirmed that its UK business has been placed in administration. It said the move to put its 109 franchised outlets into the UK equivalent of examinership is an effort to restructure the business and to protect jobs. .... [more]
19 Jun, 2009
Marks & Spencer trumpets ethical initiatives in ad campaign. Marks & Spencer is to launch a national advertising campaign pushing its £200m ethical plan and chiding rivals for giving up on "fashionable" eco-policies due to the recession. .... [more]
12 Jun, 2009
Mobile takeaway goes at 160 pizzas per hour. Two Domino's Pizza franchisees in Scotland are launching what is claimed to be the UK's largest mobile takeaway food "store on wheels". .... [more]
11 Jun, 2009
Franchisor slams Oven Pride advert. Entrepreneur Rik Hellewell, owner of professional oven-valeting firm Ovenu, has slammed the recent Oven Pride television advert, claiming it could put homeowners at “serious risk of injury”. .... [more]
5 Jun, 2009
M&S risks shareholder rebellion with bonuses for falling short. The directors of Marks & Spencer will be able to earn bonuses even if they fail to hit profit expectations for next year, and will scoop payments equal to 45% of their salary if they merely hit, rather than exceed, targets. .... [more]
4 Jun, 2009
Franchise Industry Holding Its Own Despite Recessionary Pressures. Despite recessionary pressures, the franchise industry contributed £11.4 billion to the country's GDP last year, with overall profitability levels remaining strong, and in line with those recorded twelve months ago, according to the latest findings from the annual NatWest/bfa survey. .... [more]
29 May, 2009
Record turnover as franchise sector shrugs off recession. Scotland's franchising sector remains in rude health, generating record turnover of £800 million last year, according to new research. It marks a modest rise on 2007 and comes despite the contribution of franchising to the UK economy as a whole falling. .... [more]
27 May, 2009
SA coffee shop brand opens in London. South African coffee shop brand Vida e Caffe is defying the credit crunch, opening its first store on London’s posh Regent Street in March. .... [more]
22 May, 2009
No express of growth for sandwich shop firm. Sandwich shop franchise Baguette Express yesterday said it has scaled back its expansion plans due to delays in store openings and the banks' imposition of tighter loan criteria. .... [more]
22 May, 2009
Mothercare's profit rises, hikes dividend. Mothercare, the British mother and baby products retailer, today reported a 12.4% increase in its year profit, raised its dividend by a fifth and said it was well positioned for further growth. .... [more]
20 May, 2009
M&S cuts dividend as profits fall. UK retailer Marks and Spencer has cut its dividend by a third after reporting a fall in annual profits. .... [more]
19 May, 2009
OFFBEAT - Win and loos situation at McDonald's. A fast-food franchisee has struck gold at the loo 'Oscars' .... [more]
19 May, 2009
Tourists to pay homage to humble burger. The world’s first pilgrimage to trace the origins of the burger is to be launched, spanning eight countries, 16 cities and three continents, it was announced today. The plan by fast food giant Burger King follows a growing trend for “gastro-tourism”. .... [more]
15 May, 2009
Trading on franchising success. Starting up a small business is risky at the best of times, let alone in the middle of an economic crisis. But Andrea and Piotrek Moczarski say franchisees to their Trade Man's World business can expect profits of £50,000 in the first year. .... [more]
7 May, 2009
Franchises on Sale as Part of Franchise Direct's Exclusive Recession Buster Offer. Franchise Direct, the UK's leading portal of franchise opportunities, is excited to announce the launch of their summer Recession Buster campaign. .... [more]
1 May, 2009
LighterLife Receives Nomination for Franchisor of the Year Awards. LighterLife has announced that it has been nominated for the British Franchise Association (BFA) Franchisor of the Year Awards, in the Brand Builder category. .... [more]
30 Apr, 2009
Domino's sales up as takeaway boom continues. Britain's biggest pizza delivery chain, Domino's Pizza said first quarter like-for-like sales rose 9.3% as recession hit consumers continued to order in to save money instead of dining out. The chain also has 49 stores in Ireland. .... [more]
23 Apr, 2009
Winning Applications becomes franchise. Stephanie Klein Wassink has taken her experience on the admissions committee at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management and developed a consulting firm of her own. Called Winning Applications, the service helps students prepare applications and essays. .... [more]
14 Apr, 2009
Franchise chances go under spotlight. Budding entrepreneurs found out how to kickstart a new career by becoming a franchisee at an event attended by over 300 people. The Bradford Franchising Fair included a keynote speech by entrepreneur Sahar Hashemi, founder of coffee chain Coffee Republic which is now open to franchisees. .... [more]
7 Apr, 2009
Test drive a franchise. You always try on a pair of shoes before you buy them. It's the same with clothes or a new car but it's not often you get to try out a new business with the option to walk away if it doesn't work out. .... [more]
6 Apr, 2009
Sandwiches are route from rag trade to riches. Subway has 78 outlets in Greater Manchester, including 10 in the city centre, and expects 25 to 30 new openings during 2009. But is the explosion in numbers starting to put would-be franchisees off? .... [more]
6 Apr, 2009
UK's Waitrose to open in motorway service stations. Waitrose, the upmarket grocery arm of employee-owned British retailer John Lewis, has signed a franchise deal with motorway services firm Welcome Break to open shops in two of its service stations. .... [more]
1 Apr, 2009
M&S sales fall but beat forecasts. Marks and Spencer has reported a fall in sales for the fourth consecutive quarter, but its figures were better than expected. .... [more]
31 Mar, 2009
Harvey World bought by Vacation Travel. Stella Travel Services UK has sold its Harvey World Travel chain of stores to Vacation Travel. .... [more]
30 Mar, 2009
McDonald's eyes long-term jobless. Up to one in four vacancies at food giant McDonald's are set to be filled by the long-term unemployed over the next year, the company has announced. .... [more]
25 Mar, 2009
HiQ ramps up franchise expansion to create 500 jobs. Fast-fit chain HiQ is looking to swell its 137 centres to 275 over the next three years and expects 500 jobs to be created as a result. .... [more]
19 Mar, 2009
EasyHotel plans to jet into Capital. Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou's easyGroup empire is in "advanced" talks about creating its first Edinburgh easyHotel in a building that has been empty for over a decade. .... [more]
19 Mar, 2009
French Connection posts £17.4m loss. French Connection posted a £17.4m annual loss today as the savage downturn in global shopping took its toll on the high street chain. .... [more]
18 Mar, 2009
£1M McDonalds open. McDonald's fast food chain is investing £1m to open a restaurant at Braehead Retail Park, near Paisley, which will create about 60 jobs in Renfrewshire. The restaurant will open tomorrow, marking the first McDonald's to launch in Scotland in seven years. .... [more]
15 Mar, 2009
Fast food firms revealing record profits thanks to franchises. One business sector is booming in the recession – and the driving force behind this success is an army of hard-working franchisees. .... [more]
12 Mar, 2009
The streat franchise comes to Scotland. A former Inverness schoolgirl has opened Scotland’s first franchise for an award-winning coffee and deli-style cafe. .... [more]
3 Mar, 2009
Body Shop chain to cut 275 jobs. The Body Shop ethical cosmetics chain has announced 275 job losses worldwide - about 150 of them in the UK. .... [more]
27 Feb, 2009
Labour agency adds first franchise. Stockport-based labour supply agency, Trade Man’s World, has sold its first franchise. .... [more]
27 Feb, 2009
Fingers crossed for a national success. A nail bar has its finger on the pulse in a bid to make its mark nationwide. Nailzone, launched nine years ago by Karen Kaye, is to start a franchise programme. ....
[more]
19 Feb, 2009
Domino’s deliver 1,500 new jobs. Domino's Pizza today unveiled plans to open 50 new stores this year, creating at least another 1,500 new jobs in the UK and Ireland. ....
[more]
17 Feb, 2009
KFC to create 9,000 new UK jobs. Fast food chain KFC has said the UK's appetite for cheap food will see it create 9,000 new jobs. ....
[more]
16 Feb, 2009
Mothercare’s Irish arm returns to pre-tax profit. The Irish operations of babywear and nursery retailer Mothercare returned to profit in its last financial year, according to updated accounts filed with the Companies Registration Office. ....
[more]
16 Feb, 2009
Slimming World in Huddersfield adds weight to argument
for franchising. A slimming organisation in Huddersfield
is adding weight to the claim that franchising can succeed in lean
economic times. Slimming World has opened 214 new groups across
the country during January. .... [more]
3 Feb, 2009
Over 100 exhibit at franchise show. More than 100 companies will be represented at a franchise fair in Manchester this weekend. The British Franchise Exhibition takes place at Manchester Central tomorrow and on Saturday. .... [more]
29 Jan, 2009
Argos trial in India flops for Home Retail. Home Retail Group yesterday announced it had abandoned an attempt to develop its Argos brand in India. A trial run of HRG's franchising venture had not performed well enough to support the investment needed in the current Indian economic climate, the company said. .... [more]
29 Jan, 2009
Franchising could be your next career move. The British Franchise Association (bfa) has approached firms across Merseyside making redundancies in a bid to offer fresh hope for the staff affected by job cuts. .... [more]
23 Jan, 2009
Molly Maids - the cleaning outfit that turns a tidy profit. Molly Maid, one of the UK’s longest-running franchises, is 25 years old this year. The largest professional maid service in the UK has carried out more than two millions cleans in the past decade alone. And they’ve made a tidy profit. .... [more]
19 Jan, 2009
Franchises remain a growth area. The head of the UK’s main franchising body has written to several of the major employers that have announced job cuts in recent weeks, urging them to get their soon-to-be-redundant staff to consider buying a franchise. .... [more]
16 Jan, 2009
Franchising Starts to Prosper Due to the Recession. 2009 is predicted to be a boom year for the franchise industry according to specialist consultancy Franchise Development Services (FDS). .... [more]
10 Jan, 2009
Relief as M&S staff in Republic 'safe'. The jobs of Marks and Spencer's 2,800 workers here are safe, despite the announcement of 1,230 redundancies in the UK. .... [more]
8 Jan, 2009
Domino's Pizza UK to beat forecasts. The country's biggest pizza delivery chain, Domino's Pizza UK & IRL Plc , said on Wednesday 2008 profits would be ahead of market expectations as recession-hit consumers staying in to save money switched to takeaways. .... [more]
7 Jan, 2009
Burger King UK cancels lease with Arazim. Burger King UK's franchisee has cancelled an memorandum of understanding with Arazim Investment Ltd. to rent 25 restaurant properties and called off negotiations on a lease. .... [more]
7 Jan, 2009
Marks and Spencer cuts 1,000 jobs. Retailer Marks and Spencer will announce on Wednesday it is to cut more than 1,000 jobs, the BBC has confirmed. .... [more]
6 Jan, 2009
Grounds maintenance franchise moves to bigger premises. A grounds maintenance venture has laid the seeds for further growth with a move to new headquarters. Countrywide Grounds Maintenance has expanded into new premises at the Baglan Energy Park, Port Talbot, to accommodate increased demand for its portfolio of contracts and services. .... [more]
2 Jan, 2009
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