FRANCHISE IRELANDWinter 2005(The online newsletter of the Irish Franchise Association, 30 Tolka Valley Business Park, Ballyboggan Road, Dublin 11. Tel - 01 4991091. Email - michaelbradley@irishfranchiseassociation.com IFA CHAIRMAN REVIEWS THE YEAR – from John GreenWelcome to the Winter 05 edition of our newsletter, to update IFA members and others on activities in the franchise sector in Ireland. Franchise Ireland is also published to raise the profile of business format franchising, particularly as a means of starting or expanding a business. The franchise sector in Ireland has experienced unprecedented interest and growth in 2005 and I am pleased to review the highlights (see www.irishfranchiseassociation.com for more information or to join our free mailing list):
To IFA members - thank you for your continued support. To other franchisors – why not have a look at the benefits of IFA membership in 2006? To all of our readers – have a very happy Christmas and a healthy and prosperous New Year. JOHN GREEN, Chairman The Irish Franchise Awards 2005, which were inaugurated by the Irish Franchise Association to recognise success and achievement in the franchise industry, were presented by Mr Brody Sweeney, MD O'Brien's Irish Sandwich Bars, at the Hilton Dublin Hotel in November. The 2005 winners are: - Retail Franchise of the Year 2005 – THE SHERRY FITZGERALD GROUP The Awards were generously sponsored by Bank of Ireland Business Banking, Deloitte and the Irish Franchise Exhibition. Notes on Winners
Service Franchise of the Year 2005, Action International, the world's largest business coaching company, was launched in Ireland by former banker Paul Fagan in 2002. Fagan identified a gap in the business services market when he recognised the two main reasons that many businesses fail are cash flow challenges and a lack of skills and knowledge. Action International business coaches work with business owners on mastering cash flow, building profits, introducing systems to ensure growth and sustainability, a service that is not provided by traditional business advisors, management consultants or accountants. Retail Franchisee of the Year 2005, Geraldine and Patrick Brennan, Snap Printing, Galway, bought their first franchise in 1997, an existing franchise based on the Long Mile Road in Dublin 12. They have since sold this franchise and invested their proceeds in their current centre in Galway. They are renowned in their business for their drive, motivation, attitude and commitment to continue to invest in the business. Service Franchisee of the Year 2005, RAVI CHAUHAN, Four Star Pizza, Tallaght, is a model franchisee, who started in 1996 as a pizza delivery boy aged 18. He has since shown exceptional determination and total commitment to his business and was nominated as the best operations franchisee for Four Star Pizza, owning very successful outlets in Tallaght and Clondalkin. Best Emerging Franchise 2005, The Bagel Bar, was opened by Raymond Cowzer in response to a growing demand by working professionals for a healthier option to the standard sandwich, while incorporating a more international taste to the range of fillings and sauces used in creating The Bagel Bars unique signature bagel sandwiches. Franchise Person of the Year 2005, JOHN GREEN, Chairman of the Irish Franchise Association (IFA) and master franchisor for Chemdry Ireland, won this award for his dedication and commitment to the IFA and the franchise sector, while also running a successful franchise business. We welcome the following NEW MEMBERSMichael Finnegan & Associates (MFA) offers franchisors a personalised hands-on approach to the development of client-focused Franchise Operations Manuals and advice and guidance in the development of a Franchise Development Programme with emphasis on systems development and training programme implementation. Contact : Micheal Finnegan at 01 4588366 or email info@mfa.ie West Coast Coffee operates American style espresso bars. WCC, established in 1998, is 100% Irish and is one of the first Irish firms to identify and operate in this particular market niche selling the finest ethically sourced coffee, complemented by delicious food - all competitively priced and served in a relaxing and contemporary environment. See www.westcoastcoffee.ie Burritos 'n Blues Cafes is a young company driving tried and true
American good business practice and their system covers every aspect of the Burritos 'n Blues business helping their franchisees to maximise their investment. They are first to the market in Ireland and Europe in their sphere. The Mobile Dog Wash and Grooming Service caters for the growing demand for professional Dog Care in Ireland. They offer a professional and convenient service to customers, including washing, grooming, pet accessories and offer general advice on the well being of dogs. They use state of the art vans for washing and grooming and all franchisees are trained to the highest standards and provide a full professional service which maintains a very high rate of repeat bookings. Contact Tony Holmes, 087-9641112. See www.mobiledogwash.ie The Paul Goldin Clinics network is now expanding across Ireland and the UK, offering superb franchise opportunities for people with entrepreneurial flair and a passionate belief in their ability to make a difference. The name of Paul Goldin has been synonymous with the highest standards of clinical psychology for more than twenty-five years and has a worldwide reputation for helping people with a range of psychological problems or stress-related physical problems. This non-invasive method of treatment has become widely accepted and its effectiveness is universally accepted. Paul's franchise programme is operations based and involves both comprehensive training in the use of his proprietary techniques and direct, real patient consultations in his clinic. A medical background is not essential as full training is provided. The streat is a new and exciting café and sandwich bar franchise from Northern Ireland, now rapidly expanding throughout the whole of Ireland. Appealing to shoppers, workers, students and families alike, the streat provides the opportunity for energetic and enthusiastic people to start their own business using an award winning formula and with the support of a highly skilled and passionate franchise team. Master Franchise opportunities also exist. For more information contact Colette on 0044 2890 424280 or colette@thestreat.com, or visit our website www.thestreat.com MEMBERS' NEWS and VIEWSKylemore is proud to announce the launch of its new Quiznos store in the Powerscourt Townhouse Centre in Dublin 2, just a couple of minutes from Grafton Street. This brings to seven the number of Quiznos outlets in Ireland with an impressive schedule of new stores due to open next year, having built on the success of the brand and the product this year. Husse Ireland has appointed its first three Franchisees in Westmeath/Longford, Wicklow and Meath - they are in training and will be operational early in the New Year. Eric McClintock, Master Licensee says that he is delighted with the appointees who are of different age groups and come from a variety of backgrounds. Esquires Coffee Houses opened its eleventh unit in the new Manor Mills shopping centre in Maynooth in October with a further opening in December in The Capel Buildings in Dublin. Further openings are planned for the 1st quarter, 2006. Contact esquirescoffee@eircom.net Ulster Bank is delighted to announce the recent appointment of Orna Stokes as Sector Manager with responsibility for Franchising. Orna assumes responsibility for development of Franchisor Relationships and for provision of tailored banking packages for franchising. Orna will be delighted to hear from any Franchisors interested in discussing their Franchise Funding requirements, and can be contacted at 01-6084392 or email orna.stokes@ulsterbank.com The Wine Buff launched its eighth franchised shop in Ireland in November when husband and wife team Tom and Linda Ryall opened their first shop on Rockwood Parade in Sligo town. Tom and Linda are originally from the States, "My grandfather emigrated to Boston from Co Tipperary in the 1890's and eventually settled in Colorado. We've been to Ireland on numerous occasions and decided to make the move back in 2004", said Tom. Both Tom and Linda have strong business backgrounds. Linda has held a number of senior Human Resource positions in companies such as DHL and Coors. Jo Jingles is continuing to expand in Ireland and now has franchisees running music, singing and movement classes for pre-school age children in the following areas: Aine Dorgan in Cork City (Wilton, Turners Cross, Glanmire, Macroom), County Kerry and North Cork, Jo Tynan in Clontarf, Dollymount, Dublin North East, Glasnevin, Portmarnock and Christine Barnes, Ballybrack, Bray, Dalkey, Greystones and Kilcoole. Franchise Development Services have introduced the Franchise International ezine. The latest edition of Franchise International is now live at www.franchise-international.net. If you haven't already, take a couple of seconds to bookmark it now to ensure you have access to the number one resource on the web for internationally famous and emerging franchise brands. Exhibitors are required for the Living It Experience Exhibition to be held at the RDS 2/4 June 06 and which is directed at the 1m+ over 50s in Ireland. The audience can be regarded as either potential franchisees or users of franchised products and services. Contact Michael J Heary, Living It Magazine at 01 2603416 or mike@livingit.ie. Gulf Franchise Expo – Bahrain, will be held 24 to 26 April 2006 at The Diplomat Radisson SAS Hotel, Manama, Bahrain. Thank you for reading FRANCHISE IRELAND. |
Retail Franchise of the Year 2004, Sherry FitzGerald Group is the largest property advisory group in Ireland with over 110 branded outlets nationwide. (Left - MD Philip Sherry accepts the Award from Brody Sweeney) Sherry FitzGerald Countrywide, the franchise arm of the Group, was established in 1999. The franchise operation was designed to combine the strength of a National Brand with the benefits of a well-established local reputation and the power of local knowledge. Clients of Sherry FitzGerald Countrywide Members obtain unrivalled exposure for their properties with the help of I.T. and Marketing systems enabling their properties to be viewed in all offices throughout the country. As a group, Sherry FitzGerald is one of the top 10 advertisers in Ireland and sells more houses than any other estate agent in Ireland. Sherry FitzGerald Group sold approximately €8 billion worth of property last year.
(Left – Paul Fagan accepts the Award from Brody Sweeney) Fagan believes an Action International franchise is the perfect business opportunity for individuals who are interested in providing business coaching to the SME sector. Action International has a significant advantage over other business coaching companies in Ireland, with a global network of over 700 business coaches operating in 19 Countries. Currently, there is a team of 20 business coaches, supported by a head office team based in Howth. Opportunities to join this network of entrepreneurs who are helping Irish businesses succeed and prosper exist throughout the country.