Creating happiness

Schmidt Kitchens combine German quality and French design to provide high-end products at affordable prices

Schmidt Kitchens, established over 60 years ago, is the leading kitchen retail brand in Europe. With an annual turnover in excess of £430 million and 723 showrooms worldwide, the company has ambitious plans for the UK and you could be part of it.

Exclusive showrooms

Through an expanding network of exclusive showrooms in the UK, Schmidt franchises provide high-end, bespoke kitchen, bathroom and living solutions, at affordable prices. The products combine German quality and French design, and come in a fantastic choice of ranges and colours (over 200,000 options). Showrooms are usually located on a high street/primary road in a city centre or in a retail park and are between 150 and 350m2in size. Marielle Medaets, owner of the Bristol showroom says that customer satisfaction is at the heart of her business; her customers want their kitchens to function well, but importantly, to look beautiful too - “I love making the best use of the space”.

Support from the get go

Asam and Hanisha Mohammad who own the Epsom showroom, previously worked in kitchen design and marketing, and were interested in having their own business; the efficiency of the Schmidt head office convinced them that this was the company for them. For the Mohammads and other business owners the high level and quality of support is key to their success. Franchisees are given a total of 14 weeks theoretical and practical training and feel supported every step of the way, from securing premises and funding, writing a business plan, training and marketing, right through to dealing with first orders, deliveries, installations and sales analysis. Dedicated Head Office staff also assist with 67layout, logistics and IT. All of this is designed to make sure that you will run your showroom with ease and confidence. Franchisees are also very supportive of each other with the company actively promoting mutual respect and success.

No entry fees or royalties

Schmidt Kitchens are looking for business-orientated franchisees with a positive and hands-on approach. Schmidt franchisees benefit from a win-win relationship: no entry fees or royalties; no stock, as purchases are delivered directly from the factory to the customer; and no cash flow issues, as the business is structurally cash positive due to consumer down payments.

Typically a personal investment of circa £80,000, supported by a loan from a bank partner, is required in order to progress with a Schmidt showroom,. Schmidt will then provide an interest free loan for up to 30 percent of your project, financing the supply and installation of the showroom concept. The average all-inclusive set up costs are circa £400,000 and the average turnover for a Schmidt store is circa £1 million. A full ROI is always achieved in 5 years or less and you will have a healthy distributable income each year.

At a glance Schmidt Kitchens

Established: 1959

Number of franchised outlets: 24

Location of units: nationwide

Investment range: circa £400,000

Minimum required capital: £80,000

Contact: Rosalyn Hastings, UK Expansion Manager, Rosalyn.hastings@groupe.schmidt; 07432553713 www.openaschmidtshowroom.com