If you are thinking of taking up a franchise or of franchising your business then why not consider one of our franchisee or franchisor seminars.
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WELCOME TO THE BRITISH FRANCHISE ASSOCIATION WEBSITE
The British Franchise Association is the voluntary self regulating governing body for franchising. The UK market encompasses many franchise opportunities and we hope that this website will help you to make a more informed choice about which one of those franchises best suits you. All of our members have chosen to be vetted against a strict code of business practice - they endeavour to be good franchisors that can deliver the success that you want.
Our Information Request facility (look for the button) makes it easy for you to get in touch with any of our members or professional advisors.
Does not present information in a way that favours one company over another
Will not link you to non-accredited franchise websites
Membership of the BFA, at any level, does not provide any warranty as to the likelihood of achievement of commercial success by any franchisee. As with any business venture you must thoroughly investigate every franchise proposal before committing yourself.
2008 bfa Franchisee of the Year Award Finalists Announced
The British Franchise Association (bfa) are proud to announce the National finalists for this year’s bfa Franchisee of the Year Awards sponsored by HSBC and Express Newspapers.
The following franchisees all demonstrated how they ‘manage change’ – the theme for this years awards:
The Winners will be announced at a glittering black-tie gala dinner at the International Convention Centre (ICC), in Birmingham, on 2nd October.
Cheques for £5,000, £3,000 and £2,000, courtesy of HSBC, will be presented to the Gold, Silver and Bronze Winners at the awards.
Brian Smart, Director General of the bfa, said: “These prestigious Awards are the highlight of National Franchise week and celebrate the UK’s best franchisees. This year it was harder than ever choosing the National Finalists and they are all a great example of how focus and drive, when supplemented by the support of a franchisor, results in the growth of a sustainable and profitable business."
British Franchise Association Franchisor of the Year Awards 2008
The winners of the 2008 bfa Franchisor of the Year Awards were announced at a glittering Awards luncheon held at London's Sheraton Park Lane Hotel last Thursday, 22nd May.
The Awards, sponsored by Express Newspapers and HSBC Bank, seek out the top performing franchisors in the UK, rewarding individual excellence and highlighting the increasing influence of a market sector now worth £12.4 billion a year.
This year, entries were accepted across three separate categories – the Express Newspapers Brand Builder of the Year, the HSBC Award for Enterprise and, for overall achievement, bfa Franchisor of the Year where the theme was 'now and then, five years on'. Short listed companies for the bfa Franchisor of the Year Awards had to demonstrate the developments they have brought to their businesses in the past five years.
The Express Newspapers Brand Builder of the Year - which recognises franchisors that have both supported and added value to their brands during the past 12 months - was awarded to Dream Doors.
The HSBC Award for Enterprise acknowledging franchisors that have used creative business strategies to overcome unusual odds, or to find success where, perhaps, others have failed was taken home by O2 UK.
Director General of the bfa, Brian Smart, said: "This year's competition was extremely difficult to judge, with high quality contributions from many of the entrants. All the winners deserve recognition for their outstanding achievements. They have continually developed their business models to support their network of franchisees, ensuring maximise growth whilst building sustainable and profitable businesses"
2008 Franchising Seminars
If you are thinking of taking up a franchise or of franchising your business then why not consider one of our seminars to get independent franchising advice and have your questions answered. The cost of seminars is kept to a minimum and the programmes are designed to help you to make the right decision.
The 2008 edition of the NatWest/British Franchise Association survey is now out.
Now in its twenty-fourth year, this survey is the most established and reliable source for data on franchising trends.
For prospective franchisees and franchisors, it is important to carry out thorough research on the franchise market and the industries you may be interested investing in. An ideal way of doing this is by referring to the annual NatWest / bfa survey which contains the latest statistics on franchising in the UK.
For existing franchisors and affiliated professionals, the report will provide you with an in-depth and up-to-date insight into the franchising landscape of the UK, instrumental for recruitment, marketing and educational purposes.
Click here to purchase your copy of the 2008 NatWest / bfa survey or call 01865 379892.
New publication added to bfa Bookshop
The Franchisor's Handbook is now for sale in the bfa Bookshop priced at £18.50. This handbook explains every step of the process from the basics right the way through to property issues and international expansion, while underlining your key duties, responsibilities and liabilities.
Click here for more details and to purchase your copy.
The bfa's Bookshop has a variety of useful publications about franchising. These include the bfa's Franchisee's Guide - the only independently produced publication of its kind which is purchased by 33% of all franchisees before making their investment decision.
Whether you're looking to start a franchise, expand your own business through franchising or learn about international franchising or the Code of Ethics, the bfa bookshop houses an array of beneficial texts, DVDs and guide packs which you can purchase online for your personal study of franchising at your own leisure.
What makes so many expostmen, exchauffeurs, exfarmers, returning mothers to work etc. such successes in running their own business? Why should they deserve any different from you? Most importantly, why do these entrepreneurs choose franchising as their route to success?
There are over 60 case studies on this website for you to read.
The world of franchising is always evolving. The bfa website aims to provide its visitors with news of these developments together with a comprehensive calendar of events throughout the year.
This introductory section gives a definition of franchising, the role of the bfa in franchising in the UK and our relationship with franchising and codes of conduct applicable to franchising in Europe.
Including guidelines for choosing a franchise, a list of bfa membership categories and what they mean in practice and lists of bfa members - this section is a good place to begin your search for a franchise.
This section of the website contains resources to help you learn about franchising - either from the perspective of a potential franchisee or if you are contemplating the franchising your existing business.
Visit this section of the website for information about franchising outside the UK including events and exhibitions. There is also information about the EFF and the WFC - the bfa is a member of both of these orgainsations.
The comprehensive official bfa workshop programme will be touring the country throughout 2008 once again.
Attending a one-day bfa franchisee workshop is an ideal way to learn more about the industry and hear from franchisees, franchisors, banking and legal professionals all brought together in one location for a real induction into franchising.
Whether you are looking at investing in a franchise or growing your existing business, attending a workshop will help you to structure your research and identify the important strands which should make up the due diligence process.
To assist you in your evaluation of franchising, the Franchise Group for Scotland have put together a series of seminars running throughout Scotland. Click here for more details on these events.
To keep you informed about UK franchising events why not subscribe to the bfa's monthly newsletter - Newsline. You will also receive quarterly, Franchising Live produced in conjunction with whichfranchise.com.
British Franchise Association A2 Danebrook Court, Oxford Office Village, Langford Lane, Oxford, OX5 1LQ Tel: 01865 379892 Fax: 01865 379 946 Email: Click here Registered Number - 1341267; Place of Registration - England