The British Franchise Association’s seminars offer expert advice from the best practitioners in the sector
As the voice and self regulating body of the UK franchising industry, the British Franchise Association is uniquely placed to educate individuals and businesses alike about the opportunities franchising has to offer.
As part of its work to help those people interested in finding out more about the franchise model, the bfa runs a series of educational seminars around the UK. They aim to offer the best impartial and practical advice to those thinking of investing in a franchise and those considering using franchising as an expansion model for their own brand.
Challenges
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Prospective franchisors will hear all about how and where to start, what to look out for and what existing franchisors wish they knew when they were starting out. Prospective franchisees will hear from franchisees who are already running their businesses - the challenges as well as the successes - and both seminars feature a range of experts speaking about everything you need to know.
The bfa accredits both franchisor members and professional advisers to the industry, such as banks, accountants and lawyers. All must demonstrate a strong understanding of, and adherence to, ethical franchising practice. By using these franchisors and advisers to deliver informative presentations on their fields of expertise, alongside real-life stories from current franchisees, the bfa is able to offer impartial information from the very best practitioners in the franchise sector.
Need to know what makes a good franchise agreement and why it being weighted in favour of the franchisor actually benefits you, the franchisee? Who better to explain it than an accredited and experienced franchise solicitor? Want to know how to fund your franchise and which finance options are available to you? You can hear from, and question, a senior banker within the sector. Want to speak with bfa staff in a group or one-to-one setting? At these seminars you can do that too.
Seminars take the form of several presentations of around half an hour on a number of topics, including legal implications, money issues, what a franchisor looks for in a franchisee and what it’s like to be a franchisee - all delivered straight from the horse’s mouth. There’s no sugar coating, just telling it like it is.
It can be just as important to work out that franchising isn’t for you as deciding it is and these seminars are a great way to help you in your decision making process. Each topic is followed by ample question and answer time, where you can grill the experts on anything you want clarification on.
Locations
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Seminars take place at a range of locations across the UK, which rotate geographically on a monthly basis to ensure there will be one near you. More details can be found on the bfa website - www.thebfa.org.
These events are the place to start your journey into franchising, an industry that has prospered through the recession and which now employs 600,000 people via more than 40,000 UK businesses. If you think you might be interested in being a part of that success, then come along and find out how.
