Why did you choose to start a franchise network?
In 2023 Prestige Nursing & Care changed ownership, with that came a new desire to drive and change the business. 2024 saw the launch of the franchise model, not only offering new franchise territories but also the sale of the 28 company owned branches, which are all available as ongoing concerns to prospective franchisees.
The home care industry faces challenges of an aging population, increased demand, and a need for skilled professionals. This was an opportunity for Prestige Nursing & Care to develop a franchise model that empowers local owners with the tools for success. We give franchisees control over local community decision making within a tried and tested trusted brand, assisted by robust technology, enhancing the client and carer experience, enabling them to build and manage their teams effectively.
Our investment in training ensures ongoing development, and our streamlined operations and technology make scaling easier. This allows franchisees to grow their businesses while maintaining high care standards. With continuous support and learning opportunities, franchisees are equipped to thrive in a competitive market.
We are also celebrating our 80th anniversary this year, which is testament to our ability to maintain a significant presence in the home care sector and a scalable business model that adapts to changing sector demands, ensuring continued growth.
What were the biggest challenges of launching a franchise network, and how did you overcome them?
Our biggest challenge was the cultural and organisational change. We had to go through a period of education and bring people along the journey of franchise understanding.
Ensuring all our systems were standardised and robust, with the security of knowing that we are experts in our field when it comes to the complex nature of the care and support we deliver.
Brand is our value with everything we do or share we are always mindful of how quickly any brand can be damaged. It’s important to have the safety mechanisms in place with a robust quality and audit process.
How do you as a franchisor support the setting up and growing of a franchisee?
We have created our “business in a box”. Everything a franchisee needs to start their Prestige Nursing & Care business is a tool within the business in a box.
We provide extensive training, mobilisation and dedicated development support, business reviews, all-encompassing IT setup and systems, clinical expertise and quality assurance, annual conference and regional seminars, marketing support and brand portal, plus much more.
We also recognised the need to refine and strengthen our brand positioning to further support new franchisees; to solidify our core message and ensure it resonates consistently across all our stakeholders. This meant ensuring that everyone understands and experiences our brand values in a unified way.
We needed to validate and strengthen our strapline proving its authenticity and impact. We also needed to differentiate ourselves from competitors in a meaningful way, highlighting what truly sets us apart.
To achieve this, we have been focusing on extracting clear proof points that support our big idea – the tangible ways we deliver on our promise.
We will be launching our brand refresh in the next few months.
What milestones have you achieved so far, and what are your future goals?
Our establishment in 1945 as a family-owned nursing agency supporting those wounded in the war marks 80 years of trading this year, a milestone we are celebrating by linking with the 80th VE Day commemorations on Thursday, 8th May. This achievement is further underscored by our dedication to 80 days of volunteering across our local communities.
Since the launch of the franchise model last year, we have already sold two of our existing company owned businesses to franchisees with several more in the pipeline. Additional to this we have also sold three new territories again with many more completions to be announced in the forthcoming weeks.
What advice would you give to someone considering a franchise opportunity?
Do your research:
Do your research, speak to other franchisors. At Prestige Nursing & Care we won’t just accept anyone as a franchisee for us it’s all about people, we are after all a people business.
Becoming a franchisee does take hard work and dedication, your business doesn’t just happen or grow overnight, it takes time. You get out what you put in.
Evaluate the market and location:
Conduct thorough market research to assess the demand for the product or service, analyse the competition and identify potential market gaps. Ensure the market can support your business.
Carefully evaluate potential locations and assess their suitability, consider factors such as demographics, and accessibility. Ensure the location aligns with the franchisor’s requirements.
Lastly, consider the future of the area, and any planned developments that could affect the business.
Understand the financials:
Obtain a detailed breakdown of all investment costs, including franchise fees, startup costs, and working capital. Ensure you have sufficient capital to cover all expenses.
Develop realistic financial projections and assess the potential return on investment. Be conservative in your estimates and consider potential risks. Have a professional accountant review any financial projections provided by the franchisor. Lastly, understand the ongoing costs, such as royalties, marketing fees, and operating expenses.
Check out our 80 Years Strong video too!
