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.
The Search is on for the UK’s Best Franchisees
“The franchise sector is home to some of the UK's most well known brands and HSBC is proud to have been supporting this booming industry for more than 20 years. Franchisees are fundamental to its continued success and we are calling on the UK’s finest to tell us why they should be crowned bfa Franchisee of the Year 2008.” - Cathryn Hayes, Head of Franchising for HSBC Bank
The search is on to find the UK’s best performing franchisees with the launch of the annual British Franchise Association’s (bfa) Franchisee of the Year Awards, sponsored by HSBC Bank and Express Newspapers.
With nearly half of the British public preferring to use a franchise over a non-franchised business, in an industry now employing more than 370,000 people and worth an annual £10 billion to the economy, it’s an exciting time for this increasingly popular sector.
The winners will be announced at a glittering black-tie event during National Franchise Week (dates) at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Birmingham, on Thursday 2nd October.
The overall winner will walk away with the top prize of £5,000, followed by two runners-up who will win £3,000 and £2,000 respectively – all courtesy of HSBC.
Director General of the bfa, Brian Smart, said: “These prestigious Awards recognise the UK’s leading franchisees and how their focus and drive, when supplemented by the support of a franchisor, grows sustainable, powerful businesses.
“This year we are looking for examples of the franchise model that demonstrate the fusion of a franchisor driven to build and support a network, and franchisees who are committed to developing their own business.”
Yvette Taylor, Express Newspapers’ Business Advertising Manager, added: “The bfa Franchisee of the Year Awards showcase the very best within the franchising industry and provide an inspiring and invaluable insight to anyone considering starting up their own franchise.”
Entry forms are available from the bfa Offices, A2 Danebrook Court, Oxford Office Village, Langford Lane, Oxford, OX5 1LQ. Alternatively, copies can be downloaded from the Members Only section of the bfa website or from www.dailyexpressfranchise.com.
Closing date for all entries is Friday 27 June 2008.
bfa Franchisor of the Year Finalists Announced
The national finalists have now been selected for the 2008 bfa Franchisor of the Year Awards sponsored by Express Newspapers and HSBC.
These awards set out to acknowledge the high calibre of bfa members and honour the outstanding performers among them.
The theme for this year’s bfa Franchisor of the Year Award was “Now and then, five years on”, and required applicants to demonstrate how their business has developed over the past five years. Entrants to the awards could also nominate themselves in two other categories, the Express Newspapers Brand Builder of the Year Award - which recognises franchisors that have both supported and added value to their brands during the past 12 months, and the HSBC Award for Enterprise –which acknowledges franchisors that have used creative business strategies to overcome unusual odds, or to find success where, perhaps, others have failed.
Brian Smart, Director General of the bfa said: “This year the entries were of exceptional quality and all the finalists should be justly proud of reaching this stage”.
The winners be announced and presented with their awards at a gala luncheon taking place at the Sheraton Park Lane Hotel in London on Thursday, 22nd May.
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.
Click on the dates above more information or to book your place.
bfa Educational Evening Program
An educational evening program to give you the basic facts about franchising
The bfa are hosting a series of FREE educational evening programmes around the UK for people who want the basic facts about franchising.
There will be no sales promotions during the evening and it is FREE of charge to attend.
You'll get the opportunity to ask your own questions of the British Franchise Association staff.
Click here for a list of dates and to register your details.
To assist you in your evaluation of franchising, the Franchise Group for Scotland have put together a series of free 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
Our Information Request facility (look for the button) makes it easy for you to get in touch with any of our 
“The franchise sector is home to some of the UK's most well known brands and HSBC is proud to have been supporting this booming industry for more than 20 years. Franchisees are fundamental to its continued success and we are calling on the UK’s finest to tell us why they should be crowned bfa Franchisee of the Year 2008.”
The 2008 edition of the NatWest/British Franchise Association survey is now out.
The comprehensive official bfa workshop programme will be touring the country throughout 2008 once again.
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.
