bfa LAUNCHES NEW FRANCHISE GUIDES

Media Release - 2 April 2004

The British Franchise Association’s (bfa) popular educational guides for prospective franchisees and franchisors were relaunched today at the British and International Franchise Exhibition (BIFE), Wembley.

bfa Affiliate Lloyds TSB has again committed to ethical franchising by continuing its sponsorship of both the Franchisee and Franchisor Guides.

The bfa’s 2004 Annual Franchise Survey showed 40 per cent of franchisees used the bfa Franchisee Guide as an initial source of information about franchising.

bfa Director General Brian Smart said: “The bfa has always provided quality impartial advice to people considering franchising - either through self-employment as a franchisee, or as a means of growing their own business with a franchised network.
“The Franchisee Guide advises how to evaluate a franchise and looks at the advantages and disadvantages of franchising and our Franchisor Guide sets out the issues that must be considered in assessing the suitability of a business to become a franchise, and in developing the franchise concept in the UK and internationally. Both Guides also cover the legal and ethical implications of franchising in the UK.”

Both Franchisee and Franchisor Guides contain important information allowing people looking to join the franchise industry to properly assess whether franchising is for them. Guide contents include publications to evaluate and assess the suitability of a franchised business and the ethics of franchising. There is also a full list of bfa Member companies and Affiliate advisors, details of the bfa’s role in franchising, information on upcoming franchising exhibitions, a copy of Business Franchise Magazine and ‘Your Introduction to Franchising’ video or DVD.

Lloyds TSB Head of Franchising Alick Jones said: “Lloyds TSB Business is delighted to be able to continue to support these valuable publications which, as the figures show are highly regarded in the franchise sector.

“Careful research is vital to both aspects of franchising. As a potential franchisee it is essential you have a good background to what franchising is all about before you commit yourself, and fully understand the business model and support structure you are investing in.
“As a potential franchisor you need to be certain that your business is suitable to be franchised and that growing your business this way will help you achieve your aims and objectives. The bfa Franchisee and Franchisor guides meet these requirements and should be an essential purchase for anyone looking to take their franchising plans further.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

The bfa is the home of ethical franchising, with a membership base of 248 franchise brands covering 13 industry sectors. For more information visit our website www.thebfa.org

1. The British Franchise Association (bfa) evolved from the franchise industry itself in 1977 as the only voluntary accreditation body for franchising in the UK. Its remit was and is to develop and continuously improve the standards of good practice in franchising and to accredit franchisors that meet these standards. Many organisations say they are ‘franchisors’ - not all are, and not all are accredited by the bfa.
2. From humble beginnings back in 1977 with eight founding member franchisors, the bfa has grown to represent more than 250 franchise brands today, with around 15,000 franchisees operating in a bfa-accredited franchise network across the UK.
3. The UK franchising industry has a turnover of £9.65 billion, employs more than 330,000 people and is responsible for introducing approximately 3,000 new small businesses into the UK each year.
4. Last year 95 per cent of all franchisees reported profitability, with 97 per cent of franchisees operating their business for five years or more reporting profitability.

For further information please contact the bfa on tel: 01865 379892, email the bfa's Marketing department.