WhiteCollarFranchise Executive and Management Franchises & UK Professional Business Opportunities For Sale
The secret to running a successful franchise.
The secret to running a successful franchise.
Lee Eaton, owner of Signs Express (Manchester) and the 2015 winner of the BFA (British Franchise Association) Franchisee of the Year award, shares the secret to running a successful franchise.
Featured Franchise
Leading Franchises

The secret to running a successful franchise.

Lee Eaton, owner of Signs Express (Manchester) and the 2015 winner of the BFA (British Franchise Association) Franchisee of the Year award, shares the secret to running a successful franchise.

How to make a franchise successful | Signs Express FranchiseA recent survey, conducted on behalf of the BFA in conjunction with Natwest, revealed that the franchising industry in the UK is stronger than ever.

It now contributes £15.1 billion to the UK economy every year – an increase of 46% over the past 10 years and an increase of 10% since 2013.

However, this is by no means an industry where you can sit on your laurels. With more people joining the franchising industry every year, you need to ensure that you choose the right business for you and you have the right mentality to succeed.

With over ten years’ experience running a successful franchise, here are a few of the tricks I have learned that have helped me to develop a business worthy of recognition.

Join an exciting industry

Choosing the right industry to join when researching possible franchises can be extremely difficult, even overwhelming – especially if you have spent your entire career in a specific environment.

Signs Express FranchiseDo not fear, all of the best franchisors will offer you the training that you need to properly understand the industry you have chosen to enter, but most importantly, the industry needs to excite you!

After your discovery day, ask to visit some existing franchisees to see what a day in their life looks like; what support they receive, their projections for the future and what the industry feels like. This should give you a feel for whether it is the business for you.

Your happiness as owner of the business will have a ripple effect on the rest of the team who work for you. So choosing an industry that not only interests you, but makes you happy and this will encourage your employees to share your passion.

A happy team = happy clients

Richard Branson famously said:

“Clients do not come first. Employees come first. If you take care of your employees, they will take care of the clients.”

Signs Express FranchiseGiving employees the tools to improve their jobs and skills, as well as showing them that they are valued members of the team through encouragement and praise, will give them a reason to stay with you.

Plus, happy employees will automatically spread this to your clients through excellent customer service.

Great employees will support you in your business decisions and will tell you when you are making a questionable decision. Keeping the entire team in the loop and trusting others with responsibilities will allow you to focus on the crucial things and your employees will take care of the rest.

As your business grows and your team expands, you need to be increasingly aware of employment law and best practices with regards to HR. Well-established franchisors will have plenty of experience to draw upon and some will even have an HR expert on board to help you in any way that they can.

Fail to prepare, prepare to fail

This is important for all aspects of work and life really. If you take the time to get it right from the start, the end result will follow. We have adopted a saying at Signs Express which is, “measure twice, cut once,” a perfect motto to follow in every aspect of your business life, no matter the industry.

Preparing a business and preparing yourself are two completely different things; you need to be ready to work hard, put in the long hours and hit a few speed bumps along the way, especially at the start. With the right preparation and the support from HQ, the strain of starting up a business can be reduced.

Go the extra mile

It might seem a bit cliché but every client is of equal importance, regardless of how big or small the job is.

Signs Express FranchiseEvery client deserves to have the knowledge that they’ve come to the right place. This experience should be portrayed by the team from start to finish and keeping the client up-to-date throughout the whole buying process is a must. 

This level of feedback and information to the client goes a long way to help gain repeat business and confidence in the brand.Indeed, some of our largest orders have come around as a result of one small job!

You are not alone

The benefit of being a part of a franchise is that you have a whole pool of knowledge and experience from other franchisees and the franchisor in order to handle national, larger and more complex projects. We found this especially useful in the early years when we lacked experience.

Being a part of a well-established franchise will also allow you to seem bigger than just one branch, which helps to quote for work and to complete multiple national works for big blue-chip companies.

Work on facts, not assumptions

Don’t assume business is going to come to you because you have taken on a franchise. Being part of a franchise can help, but ultimately it is your business and you will always be responsible for its development and growth. Ask yourself if you are willing to work long hours and make tough decisions to establish your business and to ensure that it thrives.

Find out more about the Signs Express Franchise here or use our
Search Tool to find the right franchise for you!

Management franchises you might be interested in..

GoliathTech
GoliathTech

Become a GoliathTech Screw Pile Specialist and run your own profitable Installation Management Franchise.

« read more »

Make enquiryEnquire
Money Advice & Planning
Money Advice & Planning

The MAP Finances franchise provides an excellent platform for independent financial advisors to create and build a business with their IFA Franchise.

« read more »

Make enquiryEnquire
MagiKats Franchise
MagiKats Franchise

If you are looking to swap the corporate lifestyle for one more centred around you and your family, then MagiKats could be for you.

« read more »

Make enquiryEnquire
WPA Healthcare Practice
WPA Healthcare Practice

As a WPA Healthcare Practice Partner you will have the opportunity to build a medical and health insurance business attracting new and renewal fees.

« read more »

Make enquiryEnquire
Business Partnership
Business Partnership

By becoming a Business Partnership franchise owner your income could potentially exceed £100,000 per annum.

« read more »

Make enquiryEnquire
Chop Wok Expressâ„¢
Chop Wok Expressâ„¢

Multiple franchises available for those who want to scale quickly and be the first to market in their area

« read more »

Make enquiryEnquire


Top Business Consultancy FranchisesTop Business Consultancy Franchises

Explore Business Consultancy Opportunities which include business coaching, business mentoring, business brokerage and Carbon Footprint Consultancy.

Top Cleaning Franchises in the UKTop Cleaning Franchises in the UK

Cleaning Franchises provide you with an ideal home based business offering you flexibility and a lucrative income. Take a look at our top cleaning franchises.

Top Business Consultancy FranchisesTop Business Consultancy Franchises

Business Consultancy Franchises provide you with an ideal home based business offering you flexibility and a lucrative income. Take a look at the Top 5 Business Consultancy Franchises available across th

Buy a Franchise - WhiteCollarFranchise.co.uk explains whyBuy a Franchise - WhiteCollarFranchise.co.uk explains why

Whitecollarfranchise.co.uk has been providing information on executive and management franchises since 2007.

Top 5 Executive FranchisesTop 5 Executive Franchises

Executive and management franchise opportunities are popular with those who have left the corporate world. Here, we showcase our Top 5 Executive Franchises.

How to become a Business ConsultantHow to become a Business Consultant

Business Consultancy Franchises are ideal for those looking for an opportunity that provides an intellectual challenge and utilises your expertise, management skills and experience.

WhiteCollarFranchise showcases just a few of the leading UK business opportunities for professionals within the franchise sectorWhiteCollarFranchise showcases just a few of the leading UK business opportunities for professionals within the franchise sector

The franchise sector covers most industry sectors, WhiteCollarFranchise provides you with a wide range of business opportunities for professionals looking for a new career or challenge.

Financial FranchisesFinancial Franchises

There are some franchises that do not necessarily require experience and qualifications in the world of accounting.

Invest in a business that offers excellent financial rewardsInvest in a business that offers excellent financial rewards

Gary Farrer, Managing Director of SureCare talks about why investing in a business can offer excellent financial rewards.

What is the difference between a franchise and a licence?What is the difference between a franchise and a licence?

Here we take a close look at the difference between a franchise and a licence, and what they may offer the entrepreneur.

Franchise your way to international successFranchise your way to international success

Hear from Ben Kirby of the InXpress Franchise as he talks about funding a successful franchise and why franchising is the best way to open a business .

Escape Corporate Life and take control of your careerEscape Corporate Life and take control of your career

Henry Ejdelbaum Managing Director of the AIMs Accountants for Business Franchise talks about escaping the corporate life.

8 top tips when researching franchisors8 top tips when researching franchisors

The Insurance SectorThe Insurance Sector

Finding the ideal work-life balanceFinding the ideal work-life balance

Executive Franchises for CouplesExecutive Franchises for Couples

The World Of Business CoachingThe World Of Business Coaching

Executive Franchises In The Retail BusinessExecutive Franchises In The Retail Business

The Types Of Franchise OwnershipThe Types Of Franchise Ownership

Can I remain employed whilst building my own business?Can I remain employed whilst building my own business?

The Home-Based ExecutiveThe Home-Based Executive

Advantages And  Disadvantages Of FranchisingAdvantages And Disadvantages Of Franchising

The IT industry is rapidly growing - Reap the rewards of an IT FranchiseStarting a Franchise - The IT industry is rapidly growing - Reap the rewards of an IT Franchise

How to franchise a businessHow to franchise a business

How to find the right Accountancy Franchise for you.Business Information - How to find the right Accountancy Franchise for you.

What is a White Collar Franchise?Website Information - What is a White Collar Franchise?

“There’s more to franchising than fast food and coffee!â€Starting a Franchise - “There’s more to franchising than fast food and coffee!â€

Franchising can offer more than fast food and coffee, so could you follow in the footsteps of others before you who have invested in a white collar franchise?

WhiteCollarFranchise

Executive franchises and Management franchises from White Collar Franchise. Explore starting a professional business to business franchise, management franchise or executive franchise opportunity. UK Franchise news, franchisee case studies and franchise resources are all available to help start your own white collar franchise.

Newsletter Subscribe

Interested in subscribing to our newsletter about the latest franchise opportunities and information ?

Quick Links

Franchise Search
Location Search
All Franchise Categories
All Business Types

Latest News
Case Studies
Special Features
You have selected no franchises Complete your requests