Whilst most economies have been fighting for positive news over the past years, Scotland’s franchising sector is now equating to an annual turnover of £800m.* It seems that now is an ideal time to get into business through franchising.
On 12 September, Radisson Blu in Glasgow will open its doors to welcome future franchisees to investigate the well-trodden path to becoming their own boss.
During the day, visitors will be able to meet franchisors from a wide range of business sectors to suit all budgets. Brands exhibiting include globally renowned quick-service restaurant McDonald’s, fitness operator énergie Fitness, homecare providers Home Instead, supplementary education specialists First Class Learning, home improvement franchise Dream Doors and dessert parlour Little Dessert Shop to name a few.
Franchise Opportunities is organised with full support of the British Franchise Association (bfa) and will be incorporated within Scottish Franchise Week. This annual event is dedicated to raising the profile of franchising in the region and achieving its untapped potential.
Visitors can explore Franchise Opportunities with confidence as every brand is either a bfa member or has been accredited by the industry’s self-regulatory body to prove they operate a business format franchise.
To guide attendees through the initial steps of investing in a franchise, the bfa will host a series of free presentations throughout the day. Panels of finance experts, franchise consultants, lawyers and bfa representatives will discuss key topics including ‘an introduction to franchising’ and ‘what to consider when choosing a franchise’.
Those looking to gain a greater understanding about the funding options available can book a complimentary one-on-one consultation with experts from Hitachi Capital Franchise Finance or speak to HSBC’s dedicated franchise team.
Suzie McCafferty, MD of award-winning franchise consultancy Platinum Wave Franchising, comments: “There’s no question that anyone considering starting their own business in Scotland should attend this event.
“Franchising can offer a much less risky route to business ownership – you’ll get training, ongoing support, a proven business model, marketing systems and a brand name to operate under. Franchise Opportunities will give you the chance to look closely at a wide range of options right here in Scotland and assess which is the right one for you.”
For those investigating franchising an existing business, industry experts and event sponsor Platinum Wave Franchising will be on hand to share their expertise on launching and building a franchise network. A free workshop entitled ‘Franchising your business – and get it right first time’ will shine a light on the key considerations, practical steps and pitfalls to avoid at 12:45.
Helen McCulloch, portfolio sales manager for Venture Marketing Group, organisers of Franchise Opportunities, adds: “The bfa are predicting that the Scottish franchise sector will be worth £1billion by 2021, Franchise Opportunities will undoubtedly help fuel this growth.
“We are continually working to ensure that our events provide innovative and effective forums for potential franchisees to find their ideal franchise business.
“Attendees will have access to a winning combination of bfa-accredited franchise brands, one-on-one consultations with professional advisers and a series of free presentations, all designed to empower visitors with the knowledge to make an informed decision about their future.”
For more information about the event, and to claim free tickets, visit ScottishFranchise.co.uk
