Franchise marketing specialist involved in £5m-worth of deals in first quarter of 2021

Runo Group “done more business over the last three months than over the last 18 months”

A franchise industry specialist is in a confident mood as the UK’s journey out of lockdown gets underway, having handled around £5 million worth of deals during the first quarter of 2021 involving people eager to join the sector. 

Directors at the Runo Group have had a busy start to the year, with its head office team processing hundreds of enquiries from individuals wanting to buy their first franchise and serial investors who feel now is the ideal time to snap up five, 10 or even more franchised outlets.

Runo director Andy Hulbert explains: “We’ve done more business over the last three months than over the last 18 months.

“Investing in a franchise is appealing to many because there is a huge choice of well known brands to choose from and the franchisee gets a wealth of support from the franchisor.

“Entrepreneurs who take the franchise route into business are also typically more than 90 per cent successful, compared with those who launch a non-franchised enterprise.

“Many see a good return on their investment within 18 months.”

Runo sells franchises on behalf of brands such as Paul’s Bakery, Miss Millie’s, Cupp, Capital Electrical Wholesalers and Hairdressers Low Cost.

“Over the last quarter, we’ve been handling around 200 deals with potential new franchisees - some of these are still subject to contract,” Andy adds. 

“We’re also spreading our wings internationally and talking to franchisors in France, Belgium Holland, the Czech Republic, Canada and America about introducing their franchises in the UK.”

Runo is the master franchisor for Spanish hairdressing brand Hairdressers Low Cost in the UK and Ireland.

Runo-HLC director Julie Taylor says: “We’re pleased to see growing interest from people wanting to either own and manage a salon, where they could also offer beauty treatments, and others who want to own and work in their own salon.

“We’re happy to work with new or experienced franchisees. We offer the full ‘handholding’ service and can also signpost entrepreneurs to our contacts in the banking, legal and property sectors.”