Children’s sector franchise promotes culture of collaboration

"Working together has meant we’ve achieved great things," says Sarah Beattie, managing director of Fun Fest Franchising

Welcome to collaborative franchising, a fresh new approach; working together can we achieve great things.

By collaborating with franchisors such as Sarah Beattie and her team at Fun Fest and Canopy Children’s Nurseries, business-savvy entrepreneurs can achieve the best of both worlds: combining their vision and ideas with the knowledge, experience and proven systems of franchisors.

Sarah Beattie, managing director of Fun Fest Franchising, fiercely advocates the benefits that a collaborative culture brings to her business effectiveness and the personal satisfaction she derives from working successfully with other people.

Fun Fest Franchising, which has an extensive network of Fun Fest Holiday Clubs and before and after school clubs, has recently launched the Canopy Children’s Nurseries franchise, with its first nurseries taking root in Wembley Park, Shrewsbury and Bromley.

Open to new ideas

When asked about what collaborative franchising means at Fun Fest and Canopy, Sarah explains: “I appreciate that this is our franchisees’ business which needs to reflect their personality and passions to be truly fulfilling and that they can become frustrated if there is no scope to do this.

“This means I’m always open to new ideas and suggestions and remain flexible where it’s appropriate.

“For example, one of our new Canopy Children’s Nurseries franchisee teams have a vision for their nursery to incorporate a special educational needs centre for their community, while another wishes to establish a coworking space alongside theirs.

“As long as their vision fits with the Canopy brand and ethos, why wouldn’t I want to embrace and harness ideas that will enhance their business?

“It also makes sense to encourage collaboration between franchisees, as they’re all facing the same challenges and can help and support each other.

“For example, all our Fun Fest franchisees share their activity plans on our shared drive, providing a wealth of ideas and resources for them to use if they feel in need of inspiration.

“Again, why wouldn’t I capitalise on the wisdom and creativity of the network?”

Significant investment

Franchisees are investing a significant amount of their time and money into a franchisor’s business concept.

They choose to do this because the business model and brand resonates with them and they recognise the contribution that the franchisor’s systems, tools, training and support will make to their success.

It does not follow that franchisors will behave in an autocratic manner or that franchise agreements are unnecessarily restrictive, requiring franchisees to relinquish control of their business.

At a glance Canopy Children’s Nurseries

Established:

2020

Number of franchised outlets:

0 are open yet. 3 are being cultivated

Location of units:

Wembley Park, Shrewsbury and Bromley

Investment range:

£45,000

Minimum required capital:

£200,000-£300,000

Contact:

0121 392 2925

At a glance Fun Fest Franchising

Established:

2017

Number of franchised outlets:

25

Location of units:

Altrincham, Birmingham, Cheadle, Chorley, Coleshill, Droitwich, Dunstable, Eton, Hartford, Hounslow, Lichfield, Luton, Milton Keynes, Olton, Orpington, Redditch, Ruislip, Solihull, Stanmore, Sutton Coldfield, Watford, Wembley and Wilmslow

Investment range:

£3,000-£20,000

Minimum required capital:

£10,000

Contact:

0121 726 2595