About us
Franchise Options was founded in 2001, a small consultancy practice with approaching 20 years experience of working in the Franchising and Licencing sectors.
Our Background
We are able to take a “hands-on” approach to working with our clients regardless of size and location, championing both Franchisor and Franchisee-we understand the needs of both Franchisor and Franchisee!
Working from Milton Keynes but operating across Europe and other parts of the world e.g. India, we focus on giving support to businesses of all sizes, you may be starting a new venture, have a growing managed network or be an existing Franchisor.
We advise on how to build a franchise network, how to grow it and how to manage the network support process.
Our work will help networks grow profitably and in line with local regulations but more importantly, will help achieve these goals through ensuring that your brand integrity remains strong.
Franchising your business is a bold strategic step but our aim is to ensure that your business and brand reaps all the business and behavioural benefits of Franchisees who as business owners go that “extra step” as a result of their personal and emotional investment in the business.
Our approach to franchising
“The Challenge”
Can a changed relationship between the organisation and an operator
Improve revenue and profitability?
Reduce the capital investment in the network
Contain overhead costs and maintain operational flexibility
AND, can the above three criteria be achieved whilst maintaining strong brand integrity-this is key when you consider any future “exit strategy”?
For many businesses, the move to a different form of network operation represents a major challenge. We have worked with a number of organisations that have been faced with these issues and it is vital to establish the right business context. Whatever the operation looks like, it is imperative that a “win:win” solution is developed. It is important to establish an enterprise culture within a tight framework – the “tight / loose balance” and create an environment of shared ownership and control.
We know that the development of a franchise network together with the unleashing of real enterprise behaviours can have a major impact on an organisation-
The development of ‘enterprise behaviours’ can lead to business benefits, but it needs a corresponding change in day-to-day management style.
The support systems and interface required are different – it is a real change programme at work and the ‘feel’ of the new operation is different.
The secret of the results lies in getting the balance and the releasing mechanisms right between just enough ‘enterprise flair’ and the need for systematic ways to run a well defined business formula, i.e. Tight:Loose.
Flair, flexibility, adaptability, commerciality, and enterprise are vital ingredients and need nurturing if the business is going to grow and achieve its potential.
The up-front advice and support prior to the decision is critical for:
Franchisor
to create a commercially viable deal
Franchisee
to make the right decision and commit to the plan
Investment of time in each person to recruit and select well, and to induct and train well is critical in both formal time and in the ad hoc support.
Paul Tough
Prior to founding Franchise Options in 2001, Managing Partner Paul Tough had nearly 20 years experience in corporate life-Sainsbury’s and Whitbread.
It was whilst at Whitbread that the interest in franchising started to grow, Whitbread was pretty unique in being both a Franchisor and Franchisee of major brands from across the world and Paul was exposed to some of the world’s great brands in franchising-TGIF’s, Pizza Hut, Marriott, and Costa..
Paul created and managed the Thresher Wine Merchant franchise, which grew to over 100 units across the UK giving new exciting opportunities to existing employees as well as attracting new entrepreneurial blood to the business.
And also supported Costa Coffee as they embarked on global expansion-specifically working on Franchise Profiling and Recruitment as well as structuring Operations Manuals.
Paul’s client list includes both large corporations who are looking to grow their networked business with a new business model as well as many small businesses who are seeking to realise their growth ambitions with a franchise model, both utilising the entrepreneurial behaviours of their franchisees whilst keeping a strong hold on their brand values and operations.
In 2003 Paul started a business relationship with Don Ward at The Comedy Store and in 2007 Paul and Franchise Options began their exciting journey in India which still continues today-and in 2021 Paul’s knowledge of the Indian market and how to do business in a complex cultural mix remains extremely strong.
Let's Talk
Contact
Phone
01908 616300 | 07764 183485
Address
56 Carters Close,
Sherington,
Newport Pagnell,
Milton Keynes,
MK16 9NW