High Street Print Franchise Wins Top Award

Kall Kwik, the design, print and digital specialist based in Ruislip, was yesterday crowned as the UK's top franchisor by The British Franchise Association (BFA).

Kall Kwik, the design, print and digital specialist based in Ruislip, was yesterday crowned as the UK's top franchisor by The British Franchise Association (BFA) in its annual Franchisor of the Year Awards.

The company's managing director, Mike Hutter, was presented with the winner's trophy by BFA Chairman Sir Bernard Ingham at a luncheon at London's Savoy Hotel.

The awards, sponsored by the Daily Express and HSBC Bank, showcase the UK's best-performing franchisors in an industry worth an annual GBP 10 billion to the economy.

This year's award theme was 'support for success', with companies having to demonstrate to the judging panel how they are delivering strength to their franchisee network through an continuing programme of help and advice.

Kall Kwik has been in business since 1978 and it now has 156 franchised centres, including four new start-ups scheduled for this year.

Franchisor turnover exceeds GBP 8.5 million and there is a a total national network value of GBP 69.5 million.

The company said that its formula puts the franchisees first with the company's goal being to help each franchisor make more money delivered through the combination of a strong brand and an innovative approach.

At the base of the model is initial support and the company believes it goes well beyond the basics, such as legal and property advice and financial planning.

Kall Kwik added that it offers nine weeks of intensive training, provides a tailored marketing plan and a dedicated business services executive, who is on site for the first two weeks of trading and is available thereafter to offer direction and support in every aspect of running the business.

The Kall Kwik managers have developed a two-way communication flow and they actively seek feedback from their franchisees and work on developing strong partnerships and maintaining shared values.

Market information is shared with franchisees, who are then encouraged to adopt their own business strategies and success is rewarded through high profile awards schemes.

There is a national conference, regional meetings and regular development workshops, as well as further support the company's intranet, added Kall Kwik.

HSBC's head of franchising, Cathryn Hayes, said: "Kall Kwik's achievements underline the many benefits franchising has to offer for those seeking to start up in business.

Franchisees have the advantage of joining a business network, which is not only tried and tested but which offers guidance and support, as well as having a well-established brand name behind it." Director General of the BFA, Brian Smart, added: "The Franchisor of the Year Awards recognise the very best within our industry - those who constantly strive for excellence to achieve success both for themselves and their networks.

The quality of all the finalists in this year's awards have been extremely impressive but the judges felt Kall Kwik really stood out in the combination of breadth and detail it delivers in supporting franchisees." Express Newspapers' advertising manager, Jon Notley, commented: "Kall Kwik clearly demonstrates how a programme of support can drive a franchisee network forward.".

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