As part of National Franchise Week (8-14 September), the British Franchise Association (BFA) is hosting a free all-day seminar event in Birmingham entitled "Creating Equal Access to Franchising". The event is targeted at growing the number of minority groups in franchising. The UK franchising industry has a turnover of some £9.5 Billion, employs over 326,000 people and is responsible for introducing approximately 3,000 new small businesses into the UK each year.

4. 91% of all UK franchisees reported profitability last year, 93% of franchisees operating their business for 5 years or more reported profitability.

The BFA works actively in partnership with CREATE (creating equal access to enterprise), funded by the European Social Fund, to encourage over 50’s, under 30’s, ethnic minorities and women into franchising.

“We really want to open up franchising to all,” says Brian Smart, Director General of the BFA. “ This is a new feature in our Franchise Week Programme and we have some top people lined up to deliver the seminars and to share their experiences and knowledge with delegates. The diversity of business sectors within the franchising industry makes it an accessible and realistic investment option for many groups that have a minority presence in business.”

Tony Sealey, the McDonalds nominee for the prestigious Franchisee of the Year Awards, who is speaking at the event says: "Minority ethnic communities provide a diverse customer base and are high volume consumers of a range of retail products. This consumer diversity should present new opportunities for BFA Members to grow their businesses by taking positive action in the recruitment of franchisees from minority communities".

Minority groups are already on the increase in BFA Members who have found that many of the skills they bring to business, are highly suited to franchising.

ABOUT THE BRITISH FRANCHISE ASSOCIATION

The British Franchise Association (BFA) evolved from the franchise industry itself in 1977, as the only voluntary accreditation body for franchising in the UK. Its remit was, and is, to develop and continuously improve the standards of good practice in franchising and to accredit franchisors that meet these standards. Many organisations say that they are ‘franchisers’ - not all are, and not all are accredited by the BFA. From the humble beginnings back in 1977 with eight founder member franchisors, the BFA has grown to represent today, over 200 franchise brands with some 15,000 franchisees operating with a BFA accredited franchise network across the UK.

To book your place at the CREATE seminar see www.nationalfranchiseweek.co.uk or call Pip Wilkins at the British Franchise Association on 01491 637042

The ‘Creating Equal Access to Franchising’ seminar is on Wednesday 10 September in Hall 8, at The International Convention Centre, Broad Street, Birmingham B1 2EA.