The British franchising scene is certainly going from strength to strength. According to the bfa, the sector’s 44,200 UK franchise outlets have a combined £15.1bn turnover – a figure that’s sure to jump even more. Adding to the good news, Driver Hire, the driver recruitment and training franchise, has just released its very rosy sales results from 2016.
With sales totaling £11.5m over the Christmas period, the company’s 85 franchisees smashed their 2015 December sales by 9%. And the extra work they put in is putting the franchise on track to increase its annual sales for the fourth year in a row. In fact, a third of its franchisees have already achieved a £1m turnover for the current financial year, so 2017 seems poised to be another good year for Driver Hire despite the uncertain times we live in. “Whilst 2017 is certain to be unpredictable, our franchisees begin it in a confident mood,” Chris Chidley, chief executive at Driver Hire. “Driver Hire is providing the exact type of service the UK economy needs right now and we’re looking forward to another successful year.”
Driver Hire isn’t the only franchise to start 2017 with a bang either. In other news, Anytime Fitness, the gym franchise, recently opened its 100th UK club in London’s Ladbroke Grove, making it one of the fastest growing franchises in the world. In other encouraging news, Franchise Finance unveiled plans to launch a £50m fund to boost franchisees’ investment opportunities last week.
All in all, it certainly seems as if Britain’s franchising industry is revving up for a glorious 2017. 
Eric Johansson
As web editor and resident Viking, Johansson ensures Elite Franchise is filled with engaging and eclectic entrepreneurial stories. While one of our most prolific franchise writers, he has sharpened his editorial teeth by writing about entertainment and fitness. Follow him on Twitter at @EricJohanssonLJ to catch up with his stream of consciousness.
Eric Johansson
As web editor and resident Viking, Johansson ensures Elite Franchise is filled with engaging and eclectic entrepreneurial stories. While one of our most prolific franchise writers, he has sharpened his editorial teeth by writing about entertainment and fitness. Follow him on Twitter at @EricJohanssonLJ to catch up with his stream of consciousness.
