Franchisee search begins

The search is on to find Britain’s top-performing franchisees with the launch of the British Franchise Association’s Franchisee of the Year Awards 2007.

This year’s theme is ‘customer focus’, with entrants having to demonstrate to the judging panel how they are tracking consumer needs and responding through their systems, products and services to meet demand.

The top franchisees will go on to attend a black-tie event during National Franchise Week at the International Convention Centre in Birmingham on October 4, where they will be presented with their awards before an audience of 250 guests from the worlds of business, politics and the media.

The overall winner will walk away with £5,000, while the two runners-up will receive £3,000 and £2,000 respectively.

Franchisees have until June 29 to enter and must demonstrate in no more than 1,000 words how they have achieved commercial success by focusing on customer care and following a proven business formula.

Says Brian Smart, director general of the bfa: “These unique awards are an established showcase that honours the very best within the franchising industry and seeks to reward those who constantly strive for excellence and so achieve success, both for themselves and their networks.”

Entry forms are available by post from the bfa, Thames View, Newtown Road, Henley on Thames, Oxon RG9 1HG or from the members’ section of the bfa website (www.thebfa.org/members)