On the road
- Article 1 of 3
- Business Franchise, October 2011
One of the biggest concerns for anyone thinking about buying a franchise is money: how much it costs to acquire, as well as the initial outlayon stock and equipment, plus the ongoing costs. If only there was a way to keep all of those to a minimum... Well, potentially there is: the mobile franchise, as Rob Buckley discovers
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Why did you decide to go into business for yourself?
My last job was in manufacturing. It was a 24/7 operation and I was working extremely long hours, getting calls all night long. One day I had a disagreement with my boss. I went away to have a cup of tea, opened the paper and, there, staring me in the face, was an ad for Autosmart.
Were you looking for a mobile franchise?
That was one thing that concerned me. A big part of working for me is the social side. But out on the road, it's only five minutes to the next customer and I see 20 people every day.
How long did it take to break even?
Four months. The guy I bought the franchise from was making £3,300 a month: I was earning £6,900. The main difference was I stuck to the programme.
Autosheen
Former B&Q employee Rob Stobbs turned his back on the office world to become an Autosheen car valeting franchisee.
Was there a reason you set up a mobile franchise?
I was working pretty much on my own, sitting behind I desk, and I had a bit of liking for cars. And I only had so much money and the low start-up costs were appealing.
Is there much travelling involved?
About five to 10 per cent is travelling and I try to keep that to a minimum. The
more local you are, the lower the overheads. There's a lot of value in having a local brand.
What was your biggest challenge?
My biggest challenge was building up the customer base. To get my foot in the door, I'd go to office blocks and offer to clean a car outside for free.
How long did it take you to break even?
I broke even this month, which was 18 months since I set up the business. It's a lot better than my projection.
What advice would you offer others?
If you're half-hearted, it won't work.
ChipsAway
Cardiff-based David Blunt took over his father's ChipsAway franchise in 2002 and is getting ready to expand.
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