Platinum Wave offers you experienced, professional assistance with your expansion. Here’s just a taster of what they do
Founder and managing director, Suzie McCafferty’s own journey in franchising started by building her own retail brand from a single store in Edinburgh, Scotland into a network of over 70 outlets in six countries across Europe, the Middle East and the Caribbean. Prior to setting up Platinum Wave, Suzie built a £30m turnover recruitment agency franchise with offices in the UK and Middle East.
With 18 years international experience, Platinum Wave helps brands from a variety of business sectors successfully expand their franchises into new markets. So, whether you’re a British brand looking outwards at the world or an international brand wanting to break into the lucrative UK market, we have the experience and contacts to help you get it right first time.
We’re flexible and experienced enough to work on international development with franchise brands of any size. Through extensive research we can help you confirm if there is a demand for the product or service in the target country. Together we’ll establish the profile of your ideal master franchisee or regional developer and then we’ll create and execute your recruitment strategy. Remember, these partners will be the key to ensuring that franchisees are able to succeed in the chosen market and will enable you to maintain brand standards and reputation as your international franchise networks grow.
Hitting the market with an exciting proposition is one thing, but when you can combine that with a credible track record and a watertight knowledge of the local appetite for your product, you can very quickly find yourself dealing with your dream investment partners and an enviable development schedule.
Here are our top ten tips for getting it right
1. Know your market and competitors
2. Make sure the supply and logistics side of things is considered for international development
3. Validate your market – market research is key
4. Choose your country or regional master franchisees carefully
5. Prove your brand first with a pilot in that market
6. Don’t underestimate the investment required
7. Ensure your branding, messaging, marketing communications and business model are appropriate for the country and that you can get the necessary trademark
8. Create a strong franchisee support infrastructure and ethos from the start
9. Ensure strong brand auditing processes are in place to maintain brand standards as your international network grows
10. Don’t jump in with both feet until you’ve found people with experience that you trust to help you – and make sure one of them is a good lawyer!
Here are some examples of the UK brands we are helping to expand internationally.
World Wide Opportunities. German Doner Kebab (GDK) is taking the world by storm with its gorgeous, healthy kebabs that bridge the gap between fast food convenience and artisanal restaurant kebab taste!
GDK have around 40 stores thriving in Europe and the Middle East, and in the first 18 months opened 13 franchised UK outlets and sold an additional 200 UK territories to experienced multi-unit franchisors, many of whom have substantial franchise portfolios, including some of the world’s biggest food brands.
GDK is looking for experienced operators across the world who have the necessary skills and resources to roll out what may soon become one of the best known brand names in food franchising. Are you ready to come on board?
World Wide Opportunities. This is your chance to be part of a great British institution. World famous for our Fish & Chips, Harry Ramsden is Britain’s longest-established restaurant chain – with a proud heritage and history. Celebrating 90 years in operation, the brand has stood the test of time, with branches operating right across the UK and Ireland.
Perfect for high footfall locations such as shopping centres and leisure parks, our Assisted Service Restaurant model focuses on casual dining, offering Harry’s Great British favourites in a modern environment.
World Wide Opportunities. Ed’s Easy Diner has come a long way since this London landmark opened in Soho, back in 1987. A much-loved retro-American diner that offers a feel-good experience through its Americana all-day menu, this popular Diner provides familiar service with a smile.
Our breakfasts, infamous shakes, burgers and waffles make up a menu of diner favourites with broad appeal served from morning to night. You’ll currently find Ed’s in major UK city centres such as London, Birmingham and Liverpool, in major department stores such as Selfridges and high footfall transport hubs such as Euston and Grand Central.
World Wide Opportunities. Giraffe combines passions for food and travel to attract both pre-family diners and family guests who are hungry for new food experiences.
This successful combination has grown into an amazing brand with over 40 sites and delivers an offer that is as relevant today as it was in 1998.
Giraffe restaurants are now located in some of the UK’s largest shopping malls, most attractive high streets and in all major airports. We launched our first international Giraffe in Dubai International Airport, and followed with the Yas Mall in Abu Dhabi. We now have a 24 hour-a-day operation in some of the world’s largest airport terminals – a fantastic opportunity to introduce the brand and our passion for Giraffe to an international audience. There is also an incredible QSR model called Giraffe Stop that may be more suitable for great locations with reduced floor space.
World Wide Opportunities. Premier is the UK’s number 1 sports and physical activity provider. Since 1999, they have been supporting schools and local communities to improve the level of physical activity and the opportunities available to young children.
Now, nearly 20 years on, Premier works with over 2,500 schools every week and recorded over 13 million visits on activities last year. Its network of over 1,200 dedicated and passionate Activity Professionals deliver industry-leading programmes for sport, dance, drama and health & wellbeing. Premier also has delivery models in India, with professional football team Fateh Hyderabad AFC, and the USA, with Start Healthy Soccer. Their mission is simple; to Educate and Activate the World!
Malaysian Opportunity. NIC is one of the UK’s largest contract cleaning companies with more than 50 years’ experience in the sector. Much of its success is owed to its established network of regional franchisees who provide a very high quality service to an impressive portfolio of clients in the industrial, commercial and retail sectors.
One of NIC’s most high profile clients is from the retail sector, and is one of the UK’s largest companies. The client recognised that the NIC system could provide significant efficiency benefits over some of their current contractors and their commitment to working with NIC would provide the platform for other businesses in Malaysia to follow its lead.
To fulfill these contracts, NIC is now seeking a master franchise partner in Malaysia who will also commit to fully developing the region commercially, attracting additional clients and implementing NIC’s highly regarded business model and standards.
World Wide Opportunities. Razzamataz is a UK Market Leader with 17 years of trading history, delivering performing arts classes to 4,000 children, plus tens of thousands on holiday every year.
Backing and investment from Duncan Bannatyne, Entrepreneur and Star of BBC’s Dragons’ Den has helped the company to grow. It now has strong strategic partnerships with large holiday companies, talent agencies and industry publications.
The classes cover everything from traditional West End and Broadway musicals through to street dance and pop singing; however, the franchisees are the school Principals and employ teachers to take the classes. It is an award winning model, and surely a great opportunity for an experienced children’s activity operator to add a proven brand to their portfolio?
About Platinum Wave
Platinum Wave helps successful entrepreneurs across a range of sectors with franchising their business, franchisee recruitment, franchisee recruitment marketing, franchise network performance and international franchise consultancy and brokering.
Platinum Wave was named 2016 Service Provider of the Year at the Best Franchise Awards, and is fully accredited by the British Franchise Association.
