Representatives from Recognition Express, ComputerXplorers and the ZipYard franchises led the British Franchise Association delegation to the Houses of Parliament this week.
The group met with MPs including Andrew Bridgen MP for North West Leicestershire who were interested to learn more about the benefits of franchising and how this business model could help regenerate the UK economy.
Nigel Toplis is the managing director of Coalville based Bardon Group. Within the group sit three of the country’s most successful franchises; Recognition Express, ComputerXplorers and the ZipYard.
Mr Toplis said: “Despite the fact that franchised businesses in the UK last year turned over £12.4 billion employing over half a million people, awareness of franchising as a business model is still very low. The meeting with MPs was set up so that BFA members could brief them in more detail about the concept of franchising and its continuing success.
"It’s a proven fact that success rate amongst people starting up their own business as a franchisee is far greater than those who set up without the backing of a proven business model and ongoing support from the franchisor.”
Key business and political figures have shown interest in franchising and entrepreneurship as a means of boosting job creation and economic expansion.
According to Prof Roy Seaman, managing director of Norwich-based Franchise Development Services (FDS) “We are talking next year of creating 100,000 new jobs through franchises,” he said. “Franchises are a solid foundation with which companies can expand and new jobs can be created."
With redundancies and unemployment at levels not seen since the early 80s, franchising is offering a solution to get Britain working.