Get out there and spread health & happiness in your community
What’s so great about the business model?
It’s such a rewarding business selling and delivering fresh fruit, veg and other produce. Improve the wellbeing of people of all ages throughout your local area; at home, at work and from your towns’ markets. All while supporting your local hospice and giving back to your community.
Your fresh produce boxes will also be as plastic-free as possible – no pointless wrapping of items like you see in the supermarkets.
- It’s all about people
- Serving with warmth and humour
- Spreading health and good vibes
- Being valued by your community
- Giving to your local hospice
- It’s a community business…
Create a secure repeating monthly income from a mix of subscriptions and cash sales, all managed through our App stack that handle almost all the admin for you, from customer orders to route planning, to reporting and bookkeeping.
Simply give people a bit of time and your attention – they just don’t expect it these days! Happy customers refer colleagues, friends and family, it’s a self-growing business where people want you to succeed.
What will I be doing…?
It’s a simple weekly cycle, that builds with your commitment and reputation. There are three main areas to your role, prepping, selling at markets and delivering boxes. You won’t be driving your van all day every day, there’s a REAL mix of activities keeping it ‘fresh’! And you are in control of your time and set your schedule.
- Start off working in the business, learn it all
- Grow your customer base by following our proven model
- We’ll help you as you scale up with your own small loyal team
- Then you’ll be managing your business, enjoying a proper work/life balance
- Your role changes over time and at your pace, everyone’s different
- And we’ll be right there with you throughout your business journey
Work from your home with an allocated room setup for sorting and occasional storage of your produce. You’ll typically only hold a small amount of stock at the weekend to avoid any wastage at all. A garage, garden building or small unit can work too…
About us
Dreamt up by Sanjay, a former personal trainer, and his partner Hannah, an NHS Senior Manager, The Fruit & Veg Man was a product of the lockdowns – a good deed that’s grown into a business success story. There’s now quite a team to guide you too, across every part of your business.
We’re a positive driven bunch – we’ll encourage you to set personal goals too and be the best version of yourself, from completing a marathon, to raising £250k for your local hospice. What’s your next challenge going to be?!
When something is ‘right’, it just ‘works’. And we seem to have got so many important parts of the business right, from the Google-friendly domain name, to sharing profits with our local hospice. There’s this lovely positive vibe that’s enabled us to attract the industry’s best advisors and suppliers. It’s not just a business – we’re doing good things for our world…”
Winner – Theo Paphitis’ SBS Awards
How much do I need to get going?
To start your new business with The Fruit & Veg Man franchise you will need at least £17.5k to invest. Low-rate funding* is available (subject to status) from the government-backed ‘British Business Bank’, or the franchise units of the major High Street Banks.
Once established in your area you can realistically create earnings of c.£50-£60k per year, and at this point you may want to scale up with more people and vehicles, moving to become a manager of your business, which should now have a value for you to sell on in the future.
Following Sanjay, Hannah and the other franchisees’ proven route to success massively reduces both the risk and cost for you – we’ve made the mistakes, so you don’t have to!
We’ll map your journey with you in your own business plan. All you’ll need to do is follow it, act on the guidance from our experienced team and get out there with enthusiasm. You’ll have a solid repeating income in a matter of months, maybe even quicker if you really go for it….
Happy people
All the produce is great quality and well-priced, which customers love – combined with a bit of friendly banter of course! A local person serving with a smile and making time for a chat goes a really long way these days – people aren’t used to it. The business grows because people want it to.“
I’ve just started and it is such a joy working with the team, chatting to others in the network. The marketing works and it’s super rewarding – if you are thinking about it, stop thinking and just do it….”
While its hard work, I’ve had so much fun, it’s so fulfilling. I’m now at the stage of growing my business, getting some more employees and some more vehicles on the road – I’m going big…”
Interested?
Join a like-minded group of fellow business owners on a mission to improve health and happiness throughout the community, one area at a time.
Do you have what it takes….
- Love chatting? Serve a portion of charisma with your produce
- Go above and beyond? Never ever let your customers down
- Passionate about wellness? Make a REAL difference to people’s lives
- Want to give back? Support your local hospice with every sale
- Have at least £17.5k to invest in starting your new business
- (funding options available, subject to status)
The Next Step
Simply click the below button to get in touch with a representative from the franchise:
How Andy and Nicole brought purpose, positivity, and big profits to Bedfordshire with The Fruit & Veg Man
When you think of typical franchisees who have made it their career to sell fresh fruit and vegetables, a former hostage negotiator and a highly experienced sales and marketing consultant might not be the first combo that springs to mind.
But for Andy Rivers and Nicole Bilham, their decision to join The Fruit & Veg Man network in spring 2025 wasn’t just about pivoting their lifestyle – it was also about making a genuine difference.
With a shared passion for community, people, and positive impact, the duo have made a phenomenal start with their franchise, which covers the Bedfordshire region and beyond.
Despite being just weeks into their business, they are already turning over serious numbers, with an ambition to hit £1 million in the near future.
Their journey captures everything The Fruit & Veg Man stands for: fresh produce, fresh thinking, and a fresh start for those who want more from life and business.
Going from boardrooms to wholesalers
Nicole and Andy may come from very different professional backgrounds, but they’re united by one key trait: an unstoppable drive to connect with people and make a difference.
Nicole: “I started in sales and marketing at 18 with ITV. I climbed the ranks before leaving to set up my own marketing agency in 2019. That’s actually when Andy and I met, and over time we started working together delivering corporate training on building relationships, negotiation, and sales, as they all go hand-in-hand.
“I came across The Fruit & Veg Man and what they were doing really resonated with me. Having worked with brands for 20 years, I can honestly say they are hands down the most fun brand I’ve ever worked with. From the people, to the mindset, to the impact they want to have, it’s truly magnificent.
“I already had my own business, so I knew I didn’t want to run a franchise solo. I called Andy and asked if he wanted in. His immediate reply was, ‘Hell yes!’. And here we are!”
Andy: “I’m 59 and this is the biggest pivot of my life. I spent 23 years as a police officer, including time as a hostage, crisis, and negotiator, before retiring from the police in 2018.
“After studying in hypnotherapy and NLP, I became a positive mindset and business coach, mainly operating in the corporate world, with a focus on leadership. Helping people unlock their potential has always been my passion, because I'm a great believer everyone's got the answers – they just need to be asked the right questions.
“The Fruit & Veg Man has been the best thing that’s happened to me in a long while. It’s given me a whole new lift, motivation, drive, and energy.”
Making a difference to hospices and the wider community
For both Andy and Nicole, the connection to The Fruit & Veg Man’s mission was instant.
Nicole: “What sits at the top of our values is making a difference, and that’s exactly what The Fruit & Veg Man is all about. So us and the brand are completely aligned.
“Both us and Sanjay Roy, the founder, are born and bred in Luton, which is where Keech Hospice is located. Keech holds a dear place in all of our hearts, being one of the biggest charities in the county, and it's been part of our hometown for so long. We know others that have utilised their care and services and we know how much they support the community. So being able to help them as part of running the franchise is a huge part of why we said yes.”
Andy: “It’s also all about the people for me. My whole career has been about working with people – whether they’re at their most vulnerable, excited, or angry – so these relationship-building skills are something I’ve always done.
“It works so well with this community-focused role. I love connecting with people at the markets; the fruit and veg is almost secondary to the relationships we build. That’s what makes this business so special.”
Reaping the rewards of support that never sleeps
The training and onboarding process is vitally important when joining any franchise. At The Fruit & Veg Man, it’s overseen directly by Sanjay, with Nicole and Andy immediately reassured by just how in-depth and personal it was.
Nicole: “Sanjay is like a messiah, honestly! We’ve had formal training, shadowed him, and felt completely supported the entire time. His mindset is phenomenal; everything is a lesson, not a failure. You just don’t get that level of commitment anywhere else.
“We have the benefit of having run our own businesses in the past, which makes a massive difference in hitting the ground running. But this isn’t essential, because you can learn everything you need from Sanjay and the team.”
Andy: “There’s no hierarchy. No 'them and us'. Sanjay’s passion to help others succeed is so strong. He’s right behind you and he will not let you sink. As an example, he was at the wholesalers at 4am this morning, purely to be with us and to help load the van.
“You never feel alone, so that’s the difference. Plus, the other franchisees jump in to help all the time. It’s a proper family.”
Getting off to a flying start
Although they’re only weeks into the business, Andy and Nicole aren’t just finding their feet – they’re already sprinting!
Andy: “We’ve made such a strong start that we’ve already got two vans on the road. We’re turning over hundreds of thousands of pounds already – the pace of growth in such a quick time has been amazing.”
Nicole: “It’s almost running faster than we can keep up, but in a good way! We’ve got the full support of the people that love and know us, and truly understand why we’re doing it, which is so important.
Scaling to a million-pound operation that gives back to the community
There’s significant potential with each and every Fruit & Veg Man franchise, so it’s little wonder Andy and Nicole are aiming for big things.
Andy: “Firstly, we’ve set ourselves the target of hitting £1 million revenue, which we believe is eminently achievable.
“Thereafter, the long-term goal is to turn this into a scaled management franchise. We want a team doing the deliveries, a dedicated lock-up for stock, and an admin person to keep things ticking over efficiently. That way we can focus on growth, scaling, and supporting others.”
Nicole: “I have always been passionate about providing opportunities for others and this franchise allows us to do just that. It's one thing to grow and develop a franchise of your own but creating jobs for others is another level we are excited to get to”
Why customers are choosing The Fruit & Veg Man over the supermarket
Better quality, real connections, and local love are the main drivers, as Nicole and Andy explain.
Nicole: “We beat supermarkets on freshness every time. The way that the model works, we have a five-day lead time on any supermarket in the land, not only is the quality better but it also lasts longer. Plus, we are embedded within our community too and raising vital funds for Keech Hospice.
“Those three things together make it a no brainer. Now I’m a franchisee, I can see the impact this brand is having on our communities. The feedback is unanimously brilliant and that makes me so proud to be part of something very special”
Andy: “I used to buy from a farm shop, which meant travelling and paying high prices. With us, you can get better produce, delivered to you with a smile. The interaction is everything. Price is what you pay; value is what you get. And the value for us is in the relationship.
“We will be training our future team to deliver that emotional connection to customers as well.”
Advice for aspiring franchisees
Nicole: “It’s an incredible opportunity, but you’ve got to work at it. The one skill that will make the difference in this franchise is resilience.
“There’s a lot to keep track of – invoices, national contracts, B2B, B2C, markets, margins – so you’ve got to know your numbers and stay on top of your admin.
"Having said that, the reward is in each and every interaction. People's faces light up when they see our product and it is the very best feeling in the world."
Andy: “You must be able to step outside of your comfort zone, and you've got to be able to accept rejection. But if you have the chance to pivot your life in this direction, which nobody might expect, take it.
“It’s hard work, but it’s easy work if you’re passionate. For me, the ability to get up in the morning, pick up supplies, then go and engage with the community and leave them feeling great with some amazing produce, is hard work – but it’s great fun. I bounce out of bed every day buzzing; they’ve even started calling me Tigger!
“As everyone knows, if you love what you do, you never work a day in your life. And I absolutely love it.”
Want to grow a fresh, feel-good business that makes a difference?
If Andy and Nicole’s story has inspired you, maybe it’s time you picked up the phone.
Whether you’re a corporate escapee, a people person with purpose, or someone looking to build a business that really matters, The Fruit & Veg Man could be your perfect next chapter.
A day in the life of a Community Partner
