YOUR BUSINESS SPRING 2019 - 119

Franchising

has risen 2% since 2013 according to
the British Franchise Association/
NatWest Franchise Survey 2018.

Judge your market

While it's true that car sales have fallen
in recent years - there were 2.5 million
new car registrations in 2017, down
slightly from 2015/2016 - there has
been a steady rise in the sale of electric
vehicles, offering new opportunities.
What's more, the UK automotive
aftermarket is strong - more than 30
million vehicle services are undertaken
each year, with an average annual
spend of almost £700 per car.
Still, it pays to be cautious when
researching the franchise that's best
for you. While there's overall growth
in the sector and the trend looks

People will
always need
their vehicles
serviced and
repaired
Our top five

Considering an automotive
franchise? Here are some
popular ones to consider
1 Revive! Van-based, mobile
repair service fixing minor damage
at time to suit the customer.
2 Driver Hire Provides temporary
and permanent drivers and
transport logistics staff.
3 Mac Tools A leading franchise
in the automotive tool and
equipment business.
4 ChipsAway Takes care of
everyday car damage repairs,
such as paintwork scratches,
bumper scuffs and minor dents.
5 Waves Hand car-wash service
operating in the car parks of
major retailers across the UK.

positive, with new laws surrounding
CO2 emissions and uncertainty
around the UK's relationship with the
EU, the automotives market could
face challenges in coming years.
However, these may not affect
the franchise industry. One of the
interesting areas is new technology
in cars - after all, most things need
servicing at some point. And there's
a big difference in the investment
needed by, say, a tow bar-fitter
franchise than a car sales business.
You might like to consider one of
the following franchise businesses:
* Vehicle repair - Whether it's
fine-tuning your vehicle for an MOT,
performing an annual service or
touching up minor damage, people
will always need their vehicles
repaired. Most of us don't have the
knowledge to do it ourselves, and
turn to experts and brands they trust.

* Car wash - More and more car
wash services are popping up all over
the UK as people become increasingly
time poor and less inclined to
do the dirty work themselves.
* Mobile tyre fitting - Many
people don't have the knowledge
or confidence to change a tyre,
and some cars are trickier than
others. A mobile business that
travels to people's homes or
workplaces makes a lot of sense,
and the skills are quick to learn.

Move it!

We asked Mark Llewellyn, MD
of Revive! Auto Innovations,
what skills are required to run a
successful automotive franchise
Much of a franchisee's success
is down to attitude - they need
to have a hard-work ethic and
the desire to grow a business,
not to be just a one-man band.
Sales skills are useful, but it's
actually more about being
able to relate to people and
not being afraid of rejection.
At Revive! our franchisees prefer
being out and about, meeting
customers and focusing on sales
and customer relationships as
they grow their business
We provide our franchisees
with all the tools and training
they need to build and grow a
successful business. Most other
mobile franchises are based on
a "man in a van" but we have
evolved this model - our top
performing franchisee runs a
£1m plus turnover business with
10 vans and 19 employees.
Guidance and support is
provided by our passionate
"dream team". Our support for
our franchisees is wide ranging
and continues throughout their
journey - it doesn't stop after they
launch. In fact, in 2018, we won
the British Franchise Association/
HSBC Support Award in the
Franchisor of the Year Awards.

119
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