Best non UK food franchise?

Best non UK food franchise?

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Discussion

GG89

3,527 posts

186 months

Friday 4th April 2014
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There's a few buddy's american diner places popped up in Glasgow in the last year or two, seem to be doing rather well. The food is great, https://www.facebook.com/buddysbardinergirllglasgo...

Chimune

3,179 posts

223 months

Friday 4th April 2014
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Keep it stiff said:
look carefully at the value that the franchise offers. You are paying for the brand, central support, the business processes and methodology. In addition there can be value from being able to source stock at lower unit costs compared with independent businesses. It never ceased to amaze me how little some franchisors offer their franchisees, just take a step back and have a real good look at the on-boarding cost and the ongoing fee compared with starting a non-franchised business in the same field.
id second all KIS said but especially this. if your franchisor isnt working their butt off for you in branding, marketing, business support and groupwide supplier deals, they arnt worth dealing with. And the only real way to find out if thats happening is to ask existing franchisees.
the good ones will have bought into the methodology and the brand 100%. they should do well and be proud of it.

HOGEPH

5,249 posts

186 months

Friday 4th April 2014
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Denny's

Would knock Little Chef into obscurity.

testosterone

96 posts

213 months

Sunday 13th April 2014
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Are you any further with your plans ? I have been meaning to post my comments but have been pushed for time.
I used to own a number of Dominos pizza stores as well as starting up some oriental food delivery stores, sandwich and coffee shops so i do know a thing or two about the food business.

Firstly lets dispel that old chestnut about franchises having a low failure rate. The reality is when a franchisee fails he is left with nothing or some second hand equipment. The lease for his store will be in the name of the franchisor who will then sell it on for another franchisee to open or continue running it themselves. This would not be considered a failure or a closure by the franchisor. Number of units is on the top of franchisors agenda and closing stores would affect the recruitment of new franchisees. Sometimes you will find stores that have closed several times but keep reopening. Dominos were very quick to tell new franchisees who they were pushing to take over previously closed stores that the reason it didnt work out for the previous owner was because they failed to follow the system ! I knew a lot of ex. Dominos franchisees who lost everything. Dominos would normally get the franchisee out before even revenue and customs got a winding up petition in as they knew they could sell it on easier than if the receiver became involved.

Franchise agreements are very one sided and so you must always ask yourself what happens if it goes pear shaped ? Normally you can only sell it to someone that the franchisor agrees to and dont forget the franchisor themself can always change hands. At the end of the day its all about trust. After talking to various bank managers and other franchisees etc. the only franchise i would ever trust is Mcdonalds.

markcoznottz

7,155 posts

224 months

Sunday 13th April 2014
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HOGEPH said:
Denny's

Would knock Little Chef into obscurity.
Little Chef don't need anyone to help them self destruct. The food market in the uk is at first simple, but fiendishly complicated in the details......

Redarress

677 posts

207 months

Monday 14th April 2014
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Take a look at Buddies Northampton. They appear to be growing in numbers and would be a perfect model to franchise. I understand they own the company that makes their own burgers.
Have had a outlet in Northamton town centre for at least twenty five year but now are opening more stores.
Good American style food in a American style bar.

Have no association with them other than liking the food and atmosphere

Gareth1974

3,418 posts

139 months

Monday 14th April 2014
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How about Tilted Kilt? http://www.tiltedkilt.com/

I'd be willing to help out when you need to recruit waitresses...

MarsellusWallace

1,180 posts

201 months

Tuesday 15th April 2014
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Miami Subs.

Best Philly Steak wrap I've ever tasted.

ozzuk

1,180 posts

127 months

Wednesday 16th April 2014
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I've spent quite a bit of time in Canada and have often seriously thought about something like a mobile/static Smokies (I think that was the name). At its most basic is cheese/gravy and chips but in reality its much more than that (and I believe the cheese is actually curd).


5harp3y

1,942 posts

199 months

Wednesday 16th April 2014
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Pie Face

Not only is it (kind of) in keeping with the snacking foodstuffs that we eat in the UK, its fappin delicious!

I'd definitely be a customer:

http://www.pieface.com.au/

schmalex

13,616 posts

206 months

Thursday 17th April 2014
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5harp3y said:
Pie Face

Not only is it (kind of) in keeping with the snacking foodstuffs that we eat in the UK, its fappin delicious!

I'd definitely be a customer:

http://www.pieface.com.au/
Agree with this. They are the perfect late night snack. The concessions all over Sydney CBD are always heaving. Last time I was over there, I was sorely tempted to look into franchising in the UK, or replicating the business model over here.

As for Harry's in Woolloomoolloo yum

testosterone

96 posts

213 months

Thursday 17th April 2014
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Lots of ideas here but most would be a disaster. What works in one country does not always work in another. Also don't lose focus on the need to make profit ! From experience it is not much fun having great sales and people telling you what a great product you have but not make any money ! I would walk away from any franchise where the hot food and labour costs exceed 50% of the selling price excluding VAT.



POORCARDEALER

8,524 posts

241 months

Saturday 19th April 2014
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McDonalds in Dewsbury just closed its doors after nearly 20 years, big shop near bus station so decently located but not drive through, chap that owns it has several but couldnt make that pay, now boarded up

markcoznottz

7,155 posts

224 months

Sunday 20th April 2014
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POORCARDEALER said:
McDonalds in Dewsbury just closed its doors after nearly 20 years, big shop near bus station so decently located but not drive through, chap that owns it has several but couldnt make that pay, now boarded up
Mcdonalds franchise failure? Can't be that common ?

hyperblue

2,800 posts

180 months

Sunday 20th April 2014
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schmalex said:
5harp3y said:
Pie Face

Not only is it (kind of) in keeping with the snacking foodstuffs that we eat in the UK, its fappin delicious!

I'd definitely be a customer:

http://www.pieface.com.au/
Agree with this. They are the perfect late night snack. The concessions all over Sydney CBD are always heaving. Last time I was over there, I was sorely tempted to look into franchising in the UK, or replicating the business model over here.

As for Harry's in Woolloomoolloo yum
Came in here to post Pieface, had a few too many of those in Australia! smile

b0rk

2,303 posts

146 months

Sunday 20th April 2014
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POORCARDEALER said:
McDonalds in Dewsbury just closed its doors after nearly 20 years
Wrong location can kill even a successful franchise brand, I'd guess it is too far outside the core town centre / shopping district to have good passing trade during daytime hours but no parking or drive thru massively limits evening and morning trade.

MarsellusWallace

1,180 posts

201 months

Sunday 20th April 2014
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markcoznottz said:
POORCARDEALER said:
McDonalds in Dewsbury just closed its doors after nearly 20 years, big shop near bus station so decently located but not drive through, chap that owns it has several but couldnt make that pay, now boarded up
Mcdonalds franchise failure? Can't be that common ?
The one opposite central pier in Blackpool closed down quite a few years ago.Too many in a relatively small area.

sooperscoop

408 posts

163 months

Tuesday 22nd April 2014
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Thankyou4calling said:
Tim Hortons
Open one of these opposite the Canadian Embassy and retire a billionaire in about a year.

I would stab all of you for a large double double, a sausauge breakfast wrap and a Boston Creme donut.

Thankyou4calling

10,602 posts

173 months

Tuesday 22nd April 2014
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sooperscoop said:
Open one of these opposite the Canadian Embassy and retire a billionaire in about a year.

I would stab all of you for a large double double, a sausauge breakfast wrap and a Boston Creme donut.
I'm off to Vancouver in June and one of the highlights is charging up my nieces Tim Hortons card and letting them treat themselves. Great places that would clean up in the UK.

markcoznottz

7,155 posts

224 months

Tuesday 22nd April 2014
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Thankyou4calling said:
I'm off to Vancouver in June and one of the highlights is charging up my nieces Tim Hortons card and letting them treat themselves. Great places that would clean up in the UK.
Or not. Tried a deal a few years ago with Spar, you can imagine the outcome. We are crap at fast food .