How a redundancy package put Elaine back in the driving seat

Elaine O’Dwyer is one of the many Go-Kart Party franchisees operating in the UK

Elaine O’Dwyer’s decision to investigate franchising was driven predominately by a lifestyle consideration – she wanted to work hard and achieve goals, but have the time to take her children to school and help them with their homework, which was important to her. With redundancy on offer, it was a great way to redress her work-life balance.

Elaine had spent 15 years as a risk manager in the banking sector, working for various high street banks, which gave her a sound financial background. She attended an introductory course run by the British Franchise Association to ensure she considered all the available franchises in the marketplace and choose the one best suited to her and her family.

Robust business plan
“I was fortunate enough to receive a large redundancy payout,” Elaine says. “This, coupled with savings and family support, meant that I managed to finance the business, the van and some working capital without the need for a bank loan. I did, however, build a robust business plan that I still use today to ensure I did the appropriate market research, operational cost analysis and financial projections to ensure I was buying a viable business.

“I attended my first meeting with Go-Kart Party and, armed with four pages of questions, the two-hour interview turned into a four-hour meeting where I gathered information and learned about the support offered.

“From that day on the support has been fantastic – from training days to the management team travelling up north for two days at launch time to assist me with venue interviews and operational roll-out. Any new ideas I have are warmly received and investigated and the head office team are always happy to help and listen to my progress.

“The Go-Kart Party franchise allows you to grow your business under the banner of the national company and the kids simply love the go-karts and can’t wait to drive them.”

A fun, exciting and respected business to own
Go-Kart Party is the UK’s largest network of mobile go-kart business owners and the UK’s only go-kart franchise running events all year round, indoors and outdoors, which are exclusively for children from 4 to 10 years of age.

Go-Kart Party offers its franchisees full business support from an experienced, dedicated and enthusiastic head office team and a network of skilled and practised operators throughout the country.

As a Go-Kart Party franchisee, you will not be alone in your business. You will be working from home within your chosen territory, using venues Go-Kart Party has sourced through its unique and established relationships with the country’s leading management run leisure centres, local councils and event management agencies.

Go-Kart Party was established in 2004 and is well-respected by leisure industry professionals, event organisers and parents alike. Every day is a party day at Go-Kart Party, but there is more to the Go-Kart Party business than just parties. It operates within shopping centres, at shows, fetes, fairs and carnivals and can also provide a road safety awareness programme within schools as part of their education programmes. There are also children’s out of school clubs – in fact, anywhere there is a gathering of children. Money is earned while children and their parents are being entertained.

A number of Go-Kart Party franchisees have been with the company since 2005. As a franchisee, you can rely on the full support and experience of Go-Kart Party’s dedicated team at head office and the vast knowledge of its franchisees, who will help you to build a successful and profitable business.

Go-Kart Party helps franchisees with their business plans, obtaining funding if necessary, securing venues, launching the business (including advertising materials) and even booking events.

The go-karts are environmentally friendly, as they are battery-operated, and generate virtually no pollution, emissions or noise, enabling franchisees to hold events at indoor venues as well as outdoors. Prince Charles found this out for himself, giving Go-Karty Party the Royal thumbs up for playing its part in caring for the environment and rewarding the company by inviting it to one of his private personal events.

The franchise costs £14,000 (plus VAT), which has proved an attraction for many franchisees. All the equipment supplied is then owned by you, so all you will need to supply is transport, which can be a van or trailer.

Materials such as your policies and manuals, which are required to work within this industry, are supplied as part of the franchise fee. Go-Kart Party has employed professionals to prepare its risk assessments, method statements, child protection and health and safety manuals. Most importantly, Go-Kart Party will obtain your Disclosure and Barring Service clearance, a must when working with children.