Commercial cleaning business NIC Services has been unveiled as the main sponsor of the latest National Franchise Survey undertaken by the British Franchise Association (BFA). The BFA, who are the voluntary self-regulating governing body for franchising in this country, compile frequent surveys about the state of the sector.
Research for the latest survey began earlier this month, with publication expected in January 2024. Titled the ‘Landmark National Franchise Survey: Unveiling Key Insights on UK Franchise Sector for 2024’, information is gathered, processed and analysed on numerous topics.
As with previous years, the survey will reveal the most important facts surrounding the franchise sector. This includes the number of franchise operations, as well as the sector’s financial contribution to the country’s GDP (Gross Domestic Product), along with the profitability of franchisees.
And, for the first time ever, a franchisor is sponsoring the survey. With headquarters in West Yorkshire, NIC Services is a commercial cleaning company which became a BFA member in 2006.
NIC group chairman, John Spencer, said: “While building my business, I found the BFA national franchise survey to be an important source of information regarding our sector.”
John, who was also chairman of the BFA between 2018 and 2022, added: “I am proud that NIC will now be the main sponsor of this important body of work. I believe good data is a key component of making sound business decisions.”
The national franchise survey is undertaken every few years and chief executive of the BFA, Pip Wilkins, explained: “We are delighted to announce the return of the survey and our enormous thanks to sponsors NIC Services. Without their backing we could not bring this crucial information to the franchise sector, or the wider British public.
“The survey is a vital tool to promote and protect franchising in the UK. Its results support the entire sector, allowing franchisors to demonstrate the success of franchising to potential franchisees. The published data may also encourage successful business owners to consider franchising their business.
“Since our last survey in 2018, we have had the Covid pandemic, as well as the current cost-of-living crisis, to contend with. So it’s going to be very interesting to discover what the survey reveals. We very much hope the news will reflect the strength, profitability, flexibility and dynamism of this wonderful sector.”
Based in Forge Lane, Leeds (LS12 2HG), NIC is one of the largest privately-owned multi-service providers in the country. It employs thousands of people throughout the UK and Ireland, with over 40 operational centres currently active. Among the services provided, are cleaning, security, catering, grounds maintenance, waste management, pest control and facilities management.
Note: The British Franchise Association (BFA) is the voluntary self-regulating governing body for franchising. It was formed in 1977 by franchising organisations that wanted to promote franchise systems which satisfied a strict ethical and business criteria.
Business format franchising is the granting of a license by one person (the franchisor) to another (the franchisee). This entitles the franchisee to trade under the trade mark/trade name of the franchisor. The BFA has a full list of its members, as well as the code of ethics to which these members subscribe, on its website: www.thebfa.org
