Top franchisors shortlisted for 2012 Best Franchise Awards

Nov. 5, 2012 - PRLog -- The shortlisted franchisors were selected based on feedback from over 2,000 franchisees, gathered through an industry-wide study of franchisee satisfaction.  

Franchisees were invited to complete the anonymous Franchise Satisfaction Benchmark survey and rate the training and support provided by their franchisor, the franchise system and their overall franchise ownership experience.  The top franchisors have then been shortlisted for The 2012 Best Franchise Awards, supported by Lloyds TSB.

The programme, now in its second year, had 50% more franchisors participate in 2012.  These included £billion companies and a wide range of business sectors, offering franchise opportunities ranging from £2,000 to £325,000.  

There are five award categories and the finalists are highlighted below:

Best Training & Support:

·         McDonald’s Restaurants

·         Music Bugs

·         TaxAssist Accountants

Best Franchise System:

·         Home Instead Senior Care

·         McDonald’s Restaurants

·         Water Babies

Best Growing Franchisor (open to franchisors with less than 15 franchisees or franchising less than two years):

·         Cloud Bookkeeping

·         HomeXperts

·         Right At Home

Best Mid-Size Franchisor (open to franchisors with 15-49 franchisees):

·         Music Bugs

·         Puddle Ducks

·         Water Babies

Best Large Franchisor (open to franchisors with 50+ franchisees):

·         ActionCOACH

·         McDonald’s Restaurants

·         TaxAssist Accountants

The winners will be announced on Thursday 29th November at The Best Franchise Conference in Oxfordshire.  This includes ten best practice seminars designed to help franchisors improve their support, franchise systems and network performance.

Franchisors shortlisted for Best Growing, Best Mid-size and Best Large Franchisor awards will present to a judging panel on 20th November.  The panel includes:

·         Richard Holden, Head of Franchising, Lloyds TSB

·         Graeme Payne,  Partner, Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP

·         Carl Reader, Partner, Dennis & Turnbull Accountants

·         Derrick Simpson, Director, Franchise Resales

·         Suzie McCafferty, Franchise Consultant, Platinum Wave

·         Gary Rigby, Franchise Consultant, Franchise Development Services

Richard Holden, Head of Franchising at Lloyds TSB Commercial and sponsors of the awards initiative, said: “We are delighted to support The Best Franchise Awards, which will recognise outstanding franchisors and help drive up industry standards. The UK franchise market continues to display strong growth, reflected in the shortlisted nominees, and plays a vital part in the UK economy. We’d like to congratulate all the finalists and wish them the best of luck.”

Steven Frost, Partner, Smith & Henderson, which coordinates the programme, said, “The Best Franchise Awards are based on what really counts – the experience of thousands of actual franchisees.  These shortlisted franchisors therefore have the best franchisee support, franchise systems and ultimately, the best franchise opportunities in the UK.  We should congratulate them for their achievements.”

More information about the awards can be found at www.bestfranchiseawards.co.uk

Notes for Editors

Smith & Henderson is a leading independent franchise consultancy, helping franchisors to build even stronger franchise networks. They are also proud British Franchise Association members.

For information about Smith & Henderson please visit www.smithhenderson.com. For further information please contact Steven Frost on tel: 0207 183 3224 / 0790 3489 877 or email: media@smithhenderson.com.