Multiple choice
- Article 2 of 3
- Business Franchise, December 2011
If you have solid management skills, why not consider becoming a multi-unit franchisee? There is serious money to be made, as Rob Buckley reports
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Will you open another store?
In current trading conditions, we need to run a tight ship in terms of costs. There is the opportunity to open a third showroom, but for the moment I am happy consolidating my current businesses.
Any tips?
Identify the right location at the right price and don’t get tied up in a ridiculous long-term lease. Be comfortable with delegation: things will happen once you have the right people there.
Domino’s Pizza
After 20 years in IT, Richard Johnson decided to go into business for himself. After buying his first store in Stockport nearly three years ago, he’s gone on to acquire four others.
Did you have any experience of retail or catering before you started?
None at all, which was one of the things I discussed with Domino’s. But I had a wide range of experience, capability in growing business and I had led teams.
What are the advantages to owning more than one store?
You can make more money, you can promote staff because it’s a larger group and move them from one store to another to gain experience.
How different is it managing more than one shop?
In general, it’s slightly less hands-on. I’m not in each store as much so I rely more on processes to make sure everything’s working properly. But you need to have good store managers. You can’t grow without the team below you to take over.
Any tips?
It’s absolutely vital to choose the franchisor correctly. A tremendous amount hinges on having a great franchisor that lets you grow to the level you want to.
What skills do you need?
You have to be a very all-round person, with lots of drive, lots of enthusiasm. But if you’ve got a great product and you believe in it, you get an awful lot of support in franchising, which you wouldn’t get on your own.
Cash Generator
After running Spar stores and creating an exhaust franchise, Mal Elwood is about to open his 11th Cash Generator store this month.
What is the attraction of owning so many businesses?
It’s quite an easy business to replicate, being a franchise, but it’s just what I do. I enjoy the challenge of growing something.
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