This introduces you to the dedicated NIC Local franchise support team, allowing you to get to know the people who work behind the scenes to ensure franchisees receive the best possible guidance and assistance.

We began with Jo Lock, our General Manager, who spoke about the importance of building relationships from day one and providing hands-on support to maximise opportunities.

This time around, we’re meeting Nick Costello, whose role is Finance Business Partner.

We are immensely proud of the all-encompassing level of support we provide franchisees with business administration, and Nick now plays a key role in enabling this.

Since joining the team in mid-2024, Nick has become a dedicated resource for franchisees. He focuses on making financial processes smoother, and providing crucial insights to help franchisees manage and grow their businesses.

“I’m here to provide financial clarity and support”

Hi, I’m Nick! I’ve been at NIC Local for eight months, and my role as Finance Business Partner is a new one in the franchise team.

Previously, financial support for franchisees was shared across different departments, but now franchisees have a dedicated contact – me – to help them with all finance-related matters.

My primary responsibility is to bridge the gap between NIC Local’s head office teams and our franchisees, ensuring they have access to all the financial information and support they need.

I connect franchisees with the right departments, answer their queries, and provide insight into their business performance.

Managing payments and financial processes

Our franchise offering includes full back office support, including invoicing customers, payroll process, and chasing debts. So a major part of my role is preparing finance statements to ensure franchisees get paid accurately and on time.

Each period, franchisees submit invoices and data to us. I then consolidate everything to calculate their net pay and ensure payroll aligns with the data provided.

Alongside this, I prepare a breakdown of income and expenses, giving franchisees a clear view of their financial position.

By the end of this process, franchisees receive a straightforward summary that they can easily share with their accountants, simplifying the entire process.

We handle finances, so franchisees can focus on growth

One of the biggest benefits I bring to franchisees is that they don’t need to worry as much about the accounting side of things.

We handle invoicing, payroll, and credit control, significantly reducing the administrative burden. Instead of spending valuable time on managing finances, franchisees can instead focus on running and growing their business.

Engaging with franchisees to ensure accuracy

I stay in regular contact with the entire franchise network, ensuring all financial data is correct and that they fully understand their financial statements. If any issues arise, I step in to resolve it before it becomes a problem.

This direct engagement helps franchisees feel more confident about their business finances. They always have a clear picture of where they stand and can rely on me to address any concerns quickly.

Helping franchisees secure profitable contracts

Beyond assisting with financial management, I also help franchisees with new business opportunities.

When a franchisee is quoting for a contract, I help assess whether it will be profitable and how it fits within their existing portfolio.

To achieve this, I work closely with our Business Development Managers to structure competitive quotes and identify potential savings. By understanding client expectations and the financial implications of these, we ensure franchisees can secure contracts that drive genuine long-term growth.

Franchisees often ask me to review their existing contracts too, in order to identify inefficiencies or opportunities to improve profitability. I analyse their financial performance and suggest ways to streamline costs while maintaining service quality.

Assisting with the impact of legislation changes

Changes at a government level can be a real headache for franchisees.

To offset this, I model the impact of annual changes to legislation, such as minimum wage and National Insurance increases, and provide guidance on adjusting pricing to maintain profit margins.

For larger contracts where price adjustments might be limited, I help franchisees find alternative ways to protect their profitability.

“I’m the go-to contact for all financial questions”

Many franchisees call me not just for answers, but for reassurance. Often, they already know the right course of action but want to talk it through with someone who understands their business.

Knowing that they have a dedicated finance partner who is invested in their success gives them peace of mind.

Having a single point of contact makes financial management much easier. Instead of navigating multiple departments, franchisees can reach out to me, and I’ll ensure they get the information or support they need.

“We’re building systems for even greater efficiency”

Looking ahead, we are developing automated processes that will make financial management even more seamless for franchisees. Our goal is to reduce the need for manual intervention while maintaining a high level of support.

For now, I’m here to ensure franchisees maximise their earnings, secure new business, and maintain a clear financial strategy.

Helping franchisees achieve great financial success

The best part of my job is seeing the direct impact of our work on franchisees’ success.

The harder we work on financial strategy and efficiency, the more value we create for our franchisees. It’s incredibly rewarding to see them grow their businesses in the knowledge my support has played a role in their success.

If you’re considering joining NIC Local, rest assured financial support is a key part of what makes our franchise model work so well. Your success is our priority, and we are here to make sure of it.

Want to be the next success story?

If you’re ready to take control of your future and explore the exciting opportunities within the lucrative commercial cleaning sector, we’d love to hear from you!

Get in touch with our franchise recruitment team today to receive your franchise prospectus and start your journey with NIC Local.

Your success story starts here. Let’s make it happen together!