Olympia opens its doors to budding franchisees, as well as those keen to extend their growing portfolios.
The world of business never stops turning and just a few weeks into the New Year, the annual British & International Franchise Exhibition is taking place at Olympia in west London. This two-day extravaganza opens on Friday, February 2nd, and will once again feature many famous high street brands.
Research has shown that more than 70% of business partners joined the UK franchising industry after meeting face-to-face with owners and officials of well-known brands. And next month’s British & International Franchise Exhibition provides the perfect opportunity to take that first step towards opening your own business.
Among the many brands exhibiting at Olympia are McDonald’s, Anytime Fitness, Vodafone, Tutor Doctor, Subway, plus hundreds more. Those who turn up will enjoy the unrivalled opportunity to learn about the training and ongoing support offered by established brands.
Check out their lucrative business models and research your investment options by attending the many free talks and workshops during a packed two-day schedule.
Visitors will be able to speak to franchise experts who will provide insights about latest trends, while offering practical tips on becoming a franchise owner. The British Franchise Association (BFA) is holding a series of educational seminars on topics such as ‘How to franchise your business?’ and ‘An introduction to franchising’.
The event is being organised by Venture Marketing Group, whose Joint Managing Director, Tracy Shah, explains: “This annual exhibition has helped thousands of visitors kick-start their journey to business ownership.
“Hopefully, this year’s event will propel many new business ventures during 2024. We are delighted to be back at Olympia to showcase leading franchise brands, alongside unparalleled educational content, as aspiring business owners seek the most appropriate business model for them.
“This year’s event is your one-stop shop to immerse yourself in the world of franchising. Take advantage of free one-to-one advice from professional advisers, specialist lawyers and funding providers.
“McDonald’s are holding a number of insight sessions which will give curious investors the chance to find out information about being a franchisee with the iconic brand. The popular ‘International Pavilion’ returns to showcase overseas franchises which are looking to expand into the UK market.
“Existing franchisees, with ambitions to expand their portfolios, are also encouraged to attend. Speakers will talk about ‘the dos and don’ts’ of creating a multi-unit portfolio. They will outline what it takes to build a successful franchise empire.”
One of this year’s keynote speakers is entrepreneur and serial investor Piers Linney. Piers has enormous business experience across a range of sectors including technology, media and communications.
He is best known as a former Dragons’ Den investor on BBC, as well as a guest on the Channel 4 program ‘The Secret Millionaire’. He is a regular business media commentator on radio and TV.
Piers champions entrepreneurship and has been a huge supporter of the franchise industry. He will discuss the secrets of business success during his talk which is titled: ‘Five essentials for launching a successful business.’
Looking ahead to his appearance at Olympia, Piers said: “I am excited to be speaking at The British & International Franchise Exhibition. Franchises are a great opportunity for entrepreneurs to build businesses in partnership with established brands.”
This year’s gathering includes ex-Premier League footballer Anton Ferdinand. The former West Ham, Sunderland and Queens Park Rangers defender founded Ferdinand Football Group (FFG) which is an exciting and modern football training facility. FFG provides an inclusive and positive environment for all its young players.
Children as young as two years old will develop skills. Youngsters are encouraged to think and train with creativity, while adopting a positive mind-set. Anton’s story, titled: ‘From pitch to profit: kicking goals in business’, takes place on Saturday, February 3rd.
Tickets to this event are free: Pre-book online by clicking here and for more information click here.
