About Us
PartnerWise Franchise is a UK and European Franchise Support Business whose customers range from some of the world’s largest franchised brands, companies moving in to the channel and dynamic start-ups.
Using our specialist franchise expertise and a vast network of contacts we have gained a reputation for adding value and supporting the strategic growth objectives of a variety of organisations.
‘Your Growth is Our Passion’ is at the heart of everything we do. It’s a truly lived value that has been recognised through the kind words of recognition by long term customers such as Pizza Hut, KFC and more recently EE.
We support our customers through providing a comprehensive array of franchising support services. These range from the various aspects of franchise operations and set-up including investor and financing introductions, strategy and new partner sourcing and every step of franchise roll-out across a country or region. Over the last 5 years, we are proud to say we have sourced, assessed and approved over 190 franchisees into multiple brands across multiple countries.
PartnerWise Franchise primarily differs in terms of how we support you. We provide in house support services with flexibility of approach, bespoke solutions and a close collaborative style that enables us to achieve the result we are both looking for.
We look to dovetail with your business, your people, your culture and all the potential franchisees who we aim to attract. Over time we often grow to act as extensions of your business, respected brand ambassadors who deliver results and an all-round outstanding customer experience.
“A Franchise Support Business That Represents Customers From New Entrants To Globally Recognised Brands”
This sought after Franchisor accreditation indicates that the aforementioned business has been assessed and awarded the converted PartnerWise Franchise’s seal of approval for having a robust, ethical and fair franchise model within a legal framework.
The accredited seal being a quality marker for those potential franchisees looking to invest’
PartnerWise are BFA accredited and work strictly to their European Code of Ethics.
Supporting Franchise Start-up’s
Have you got a brand that you are looking to franchise?
Utilising our knowledge, experience and some or all of our service offerings we can assist and support you.
If you wanted us to provide an all-encompassing set of services, in close collaboration with you, we would aim is to comprehensively walk you through how to franchise your business, build or enhance your strategy, support on legal conversations, introduce you to financiers and investors, develop a plan and roll out your franchise offering. Alternatively if you wanted to pick and mix specific services that option is available too.
Following a relatively quick assessment of your vision and current capability the beauty of how we approach our role and what many have said makes us ‘infinitely different’ is that we work with you, side by side in your business. If you require we will be with you for all or any part of the journey that makes you successful. We are an in house support business and every part of our service and collaborative style is geared to that.
We recognise that starting or growing a business can be both an exciting yet scary time. A part of our role is as an enabler and through our expertise and proven experience we advise and put in place the necessary financial modelling and commercial foundation that facilitates sustainable growth for both yourselves and your franchisees.
With the baseline complete we can enable through our significant connections and a range of other attraction activities your franchise business to grow and flourish. Each step of the journey being carefully documented in a best practice format so that when the day comes where you no longer need our support each aspect of our work stays with the business long after we have gone.
As your business starts to move through the various tipping points of requiring additional heads some of our final tasks can be to support you with the hiring of individuals that will ultimately replace the role(s) we have played.
Building New Franchise Channels
For existing organisation creating a franchise channel has many brand and commercial benefits. It extends brand awareness, facilitates relatively low risk growth in comparison to other methods whilst providing additional revenue.
You don’t have to look far beyond some of the world’s largest and most successful retailers to witness the benefit of the channel. E.g. Body Shop is a Global brand as a result of Franchise. Mothercare likewise and then you have Inditex the owner of Zara who grew its business at record speeds due to franchise.
As a result of all the positives of having a franchise channel many more companies are considering the option. Whether you are a small, medium or even a large recognised business we can tailor our service offering and support you with this move.
Following a relatively quick assessment of your vision, plan and current franchising capability the beauty of our how we approach our role, and it’s what many have said makes us ‘infinitely different’, is that we work with you, side by side, a lot like how an interim provides specialist expertise to organisations. We are very hands on, real enablers that will be with you for all or part of the journey that initiates and grows a sustainable franchise channel.
Through our in house support service we provided considerable franchise expertise and proven experience. We can develop the foundations of the franchise agreement, the financial model that facilitates returns for all parties, your growth strategy and ultimately help you through our extensive connections at master franchise level to grow at the rate you require.
Every service is bespoke and geared to driving your success with each section carefully documented in a best practice format so when in the future you no longer need our support each part of the journey stays with the business long after we have gone.
As your business starts to move through the various tipping points of requiring additional heads some of our final tasks can be to support you with the hiring of individuals that will ultimately replace our role.
Growing Franchise Brands
Supporting recognised franchise brands as they seek further growth in their home or new country markets is at the heart of what we do.
We have a refreshing and ‘infinitely better’ approach to supporting such ambitions. We have no prescribed formula. It’s not a transactional approach it’s a service. Each service option and combinations of such are tailorable to suit the particular challenge. Everything we do is in house. It’s like having an interim with a team behind them that provides the expertise, experience and critical contacts when you need them most.
We can work end to end and side by side on a specific project that can last 6 months or in certain other cases 3+ years. It varies purely on your requirement. Alternatively we can just provide experienced interim cover in certain situations for critical positions to ensure your expansion does not stutter.
As our testimonials suggest we have delivered many successful growth projects. All have started at different points requiring different services. All have required strong collaboration. A style and culture we thrive on. Some projects initiated as a review of the current franchise offering. Others to create and develop a strategy with the core part being new partner attraction and a roll out plan across the UK and other European countries.
Every service is geared to driving your success and each section of its use is carefully documented in a best practice format so when in the future you no longer need our support each part of the journey stays with the business long after we have gone.
Mediating Franchise Disputes
Are you currently in or can see that you could be heading towards a dispute and feel there is no way forward other than a formal and costly litigation?
In either our personal or business life, most of us at some point have experienced the challenges and emotions of ‘deadlock’ with no apparent path to resolution other than through solicitors and courtrooms. This situation is what originally led us to provide a better solution, our highly valuable Mediation Service.
Our Mediation Service is available to both franchisors and franchisees and will deliver to you a roadmap for discussion, dispute resolution and reconciliation at a cost not only far less in emotional impact and mental health, but also in financial outlay.
Disputes can vary from minor disagreements to major litigation and of course, extend to anything in between. Disputes will often play out over an extended time-period and can entail a myriad of letters, calls and meetings which utilises many valuable resources. If your dispute is heading for, or certainly has already reached a point of litigation, then you should seriously consider taking steps towards a formal mediation.
Mediation is highly effective and a far more conciliatory dispute resolution method to the alternatives conducted by either a Judge or a facilitator namely litigation, arbitration, and conciliation. Mediation offers something quite different, a platform where the parties can work together for a win-win outcome.
From the expertise of our Senior Mediator – Philip Ciniglio, most franchising disputes are successfully resolved via mediation. His track record speaks for itself. 91% successful outcomes over a 15 year period
Interested in Discussing Further?
If you are interested in investigating the possibility of holding a mediation with PartnerWise, then you can call Philip Ciniglio in the first instance on 07921 387 447 for an informal chat or email him on philip@partnerwisefranchise.com
Testimonials
OUR APPROACH
Our approach to assisting you in either reviewing, planning or growing your franchise business or channel or combinations of all three is through the provision of a close and dedicated in house support service. Support that is founded and underpinned by our extensive franchise expertise, a track record of creating and delivering results and a passion for delivering exceptional service.
‘Your Growth is Our Passion’ underpins who we are and what we stand for. It’s at the heart of our culture and in everything we do.
Our service has been described as closer to that of a highly experienced interim. We work closely alongside your franchise team (large franchise organisations) or with the owners of the brand themselves (small franchisors). Over time and as our testimonials suggest we become extensions of our customers business. Trusted advisors who take as much satisfaction out of growing your business and driving results that you do.
A supportive approach that has been termed ‘infinity different’ by some and ‘refreshing’ by others as its very collaborative, both strategic and hands on. It is full of practical solutions, not at all prescriptive and full of agility both in terms of its pick and mix service options, associated fees and an ultimate legacy of documenting our work in a best practice and easily referenced format that lasts way beyond our time with you.
We exist primarily to assist and enhance your capability to grow or change quickly. We are transformational agents, catalysts for growth and through our experience, knowledge and connections we don’t need long to get up to speed with the challenge of delivering ahead of your growth targets.
OUR DIFFERENCE
Although we live in a relatively un-differentiated world, from feedback there appears various subjective reasons why our customers view us differently or what some have termed ‘refreshing’.
The foundation to such differences being that we provide an in house support service as a real alternative to the more external, often transactional and prescriptive 3rd party offering.
The service provides for partnering; a side by side approach with the focus set purely on helping you achieve your goals whether you are a start-up, a business diversifying into a franchise channel or a large recognised brand.
Whether your requirement is to set up or review your current financial model, your franchise agreement, to hire your franchise team, attain investment at various levels for growth or to create and support you in the delivery of your franchise strategy we work together on every step of the journey.
All services are exclusively bespoke and tailored as no two requirements are the same. Once the solution is agreed and scoped the team’s proven experience and connectivity within franchising facilitates our capability to get up to speed and deliver results quickly.
Our style is highly collaborative and often commented on as being more accountable when compared to other external solutions as we are there with you.
The combination of being in house, providing an exclusive tailored service with a focus on delivery and leaving a legacy through the provision of a best practice catalogue of our work are the main reasons when asked why our customers refer to us as ‘infinitely different’ in comparison to others.
However differences are often subjective and the only true way of experiencing what we provide is by working together. We sincerely hope to hear from you soon.
OUR VALUES
Engaged: One of our key differences is in our level of engagement and accountability. We want to engage with you, your people, your culture, your plan and your potential franchisees to ensure we deliver the result you require and that we promise. As we are in house we cannot hide! It’s different; It’s refreshing.
Collaborative: We work side by side with you. We provide hands on support and guidance to what is a team effort. We look to be an extension of your team, working together, discussing challenges, collaborating on decisions, helping you steer yourself along the journey to your goal.
Partner: Our philosophy is that ‘two minds are better than one’ when trying to solve a challenge for the benefit of all. In everything we do we seek to work together, support each other, provide honest accurate assessments and feedback, enhance each other’s performance and ultimately to be viewed as a customer said recently – ‘a valued partner of their team’. Partnerships grow and strengthen over time which is our goal with all of our customers and our own team of Partners.
1. STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT
There is a lot to consider dependent on whether you are a start-up, a brand diversifying into franchise or a large recognised organisation. Dependent on where you are in your evolution you will be assessing and considering where your business is now, where does it want to be in the future and essentially how you are going to get there.
To support you within this area our services cover things such as;
- Current Business Review – an independent review covering a SWOT assessment including a 360 discussion on what’s gone well, not so well, lessons learnt etc.
- Market Mapping – Looking in detail at the market, the competition, it’s size potential and any in-country hurdles you will need to overcome.
- Trade-zone development – Decide how big a territory a business should have and how close geographically franchisees can be in relation to one another.
- Growth strategy – Help you decided on which is best in terms of Single Site growth, Multi-Site franchisees, Area Development Agreements/Master Franchising as well as your mix of company owned verses franchised outlets.
- Costs – If this hasn’t already been decided we can guide you through what the cost structure should be for the franchisee from fit out and brand fee to royalty and marketing contributions.
- Franchise Agreements – We can advise on key areas within your franchise agreement to make it is the most successful for you and the franchisee.
2. NEW PARTNER SOURCING
Finding and selecting the right partners will be key to your success.
The services and best practices below were developed and written whilst working as an in house partner with various companies.
We are proud to say the New Partner Sourcing Guide as it was called has been adopted globally by KFC as best practice:
- Recruitment Strategy Development – We can build you a beginning to end recruitment strategy to source, asses and on-board capable partners to your business.
- Sourcing – Using multiple platforms and internal or 3rd party sources, we can advise on the best and most cost effective course of action(s) to generate franchisee applications.
- Ideal Profile Development – Using our vast experience coupled with your business knowledge and understanding we can build the ideal profile of a franchisee so we/you know who or where to target and what to benchmark against.
- Direct Targeting (Headhunting) – We can directly target ‘difficult to fill’ geographical areas to find suitable partners.
- Lead Generation – Through our network we can often introduce you to potential franchisees or reach new potential partners.
- Applicant Tracking – Once you have started generating the interest, communication and a swift response are key. We can introduce third parties or develop an in-house system to ensure all applications are responded to appropriately and in a timely fashion – maintaining your brands profile and reputation in the industry.
- Applicant processing/interviewing – Completely bespoke to your business, we carry out all aspects of the assessment process from screening and interviewing to testing and business plan assessment, giving you only the best talent to partner with.
- Background / CRB checks – Using our preferred supplier we are able to carry out background and criminal checks on people before you sign up to a lengthy agreement with them, preventing any adverse publicity at a future stage and protecting your brand.
3. FINANCE AND INVESTORS
Effective finance management is going to be at the centre of everything a franchisee and franchisor does. Generating income and profit is directly linked with unit growth and franchisee attraction. Just some of the areas we can support are:
- Banks – We have relationships with, and can make introductions to, numerous banks. This can be for you, the franchisor, as you look to grow and develop but also for the franchisee and establishing lending terms for your partners.
- Investors – We are strongly connected with many business angels and private equity investors who invest in various sizes and types of franchise organisations.
- Cost Structure Direction – Using our knowledge from multiple franchise agreements, we can help direct you on the best financial terms and fee structures to have in your franchise agreement which is both profitable for you and fair on the franchisee.
- Financial Modelling Development – You always need to be careful what data is shared with a potential franchisee but using your historical data and our knowledge we can work with your accounts team to develop financial modelling so a franchisee can understand what the outputs look like, when they may make profit and even cash-flow analysis.
- Return on Investments (ROI’s) – Not only can we help the franchisee with financial modelling but we can also look at the franchise program to determine when you, the franchisor, will hit expected levels of profit. This will help the pace and sequence of people and structures that you adopt.
- Local taxation – We can find out what the local laws are for things like VAT, Corporations Tax, PAYE, Employee Tax and National Insurance or their equivalents to make sure you are fully aware of any financial commitments.
- Import/export costs – If going cross-border we can understand what duties are applicable for you and the franchisee.
- Currency – If working in multiple currencies, exchange fluctuations can impact you and the franchisee massively. We can highlight these areas and ensure you and the franchisee are fully equipped with the knowledge to maximise profit and/or minimise loss.
4. LEGAL & COMPLIANCE
Acting within the law, and in line with local laws, is a pre requisite for both franchisee and franchisor. Some of the following are areas we support and assist in to mitigate the chances of you falling into any legal pitfalls.
- CRB & Background checking – Using our preferred supplier we are able to carry out background and criminal checks on people before you sign up to a lengthy agreement with them, preventing any adverse publicity at a future stage and protecting your brand.
- Franchise Agreement liaison – we can walk you and your legal teams through your franchise agreement and what the real implications are for you and the franchisee with terms in your contract.
- TUPE – if you are transferring corporate outlets to franchise, we can assist during the TUPE Transfer of employees between businesses.
- Mediation Services – Sometimes things can break down between franchisor and franchisee. If that does happen we can act as mediator to try and resolve these issues as effectively and swiftly as possible with the best possible outcome for both sides.
- NDA Development – Often you will be discussing sensitive information with a potential investor, and they will be sharing sensitive information with you. To help both parties, we can arrange for Non-Disclosure Agreements / Confidentiality Agreements to be implemented to protect all parties.
- Local laws – We will happily research laws in a country to find out any costs, hurdles or processes you may need to follow to operate a business in that country/countries.
5. OPERATIONS
This is a critical area for start-ups, brands moving into franchise and also large recognised franchise companies. It’s the point where you place your brand into the hands of the new franchise partner.
To ensure you train, develop, measure and control your brand effectively we can support through the provision of a tailored programme of best practices and franchise guidelines listed below –
- Development of Training Programmes – we can work with your operations team to develop on-boarding programmes and training programmes to make sure you give a franchisee the best chance of success, protect your brand and secure your income.
- KPI’s – Key Performance Indicators are a great way of you analysing your business and a franchisee understanding what is important in the business. We can develop these to help you monitor their performance and even break them down in to core, non-core and ‘wildcards’ when you need an extra focus on a specific area.
- Balance Score Cards – Linked with KPI’s we can develop the scorecard so you continuously look to improve your business and customer experience.
- Growth Ready criteria – You only want to expand your brand with franchisees who look after it! With your input, we can develop key criteria and levels of performance that you need to see to allow a partner to grow with you, thus protecting your brand and awarding new franchises only to those who are a worthy brand ambassador.
- Performance Reviews – We can develop the review process and/or carry it out with your franchisees to give an independent view.
6. BEST PRACTICE PROCESSES
This is a service that assists you in developing best practice process and guidelines across your franchise business.
We are proud to say we have created and developed such codification principles and processes for some of the most globally recognised franchise brands.
We also use this codification process as part of the legacy we leave you with. Everything we do when we work with you is coded and documented into best practice so it can act as a point of reference way beyond the time we leave you.
- Process Review – We assess each process in a given area or for your total operation against what we agree is best practise within franchising.
- Process Mapping – In conjunction with you and your business model we end to end map each process that improve the efficiency and capability of your operation.
- Codification – Each new or adjusted process is codified into a best practice standards of Operating Performance manual ( SOP).
- Standards of Performance Manuals (SOP) – Operations may already be doing this off the back of the work we have done with them. If not we will happily develop SOP Manuals to enable best practice processes to be maintained in the business.
- On call! – Even after we leave your business we are always available to take a call when you get stuck.
7. DISPUTE MEDIATION
What is Mediation?
It’s an informal process conducted by an expert independent and neutral mediator who assists and guides two or more parties in finding a solution to a dispute themselves.
Through the skill, expertise and support of the mediator the process is designed to clearly define the underlying issues of two or more parties which either may not have recognised or acknowledged in the heat of a dispute but yet are critical to getting the parties to hear and listen to each other, enable more productive discussions and create the resolution themselves.
Why Choose Mediation?
The scope for identifying possible resolutions throughout the mediation process is more often far greater than the remedies presented in courts.
Mediation also allows both parties greater control in comparison to arbitration or litigation where cases are presented and a judgment made.
Mediation is confidential, unlike court hearings, and generally are much less expensive and quicker than arbitration and litigation allowing both parties to return to business as usual in good time.
The process allows both parties the opportunity to present their point of view and to be heard as the basis of creating an environment for mutual resolution with all the positive benefits as outlined above.
A successful mediation offers the opportunity for both parties to reach resolution with their relationship intact and in a better state of mind going forward.
A court may also look favourably upon any party that has encouraged mediation as a method of resolution prior to a court hearing. Conversely a court may look unfavourably upon a party should the opposite be true.
Mediation is a voluntary process. It works for the many. However you can withdraw at any time and pursue the more formal routes as expressed above.
How is the Mediation Process Hosted?
Mediation ideally is conducted face to face at a neutral location with both parties consent. It can also be conducted via video conferencing.
Is Mediation Successful?
From the expertise of our Senior Mediator – Philip Ciniglio, most franchising disputes are successfully resolved via mediation. His track record speaks for itself. 91% successful outcomes over a 15 year period.
Interested in Discussing Further?
If you are interested in investigating the possibility of holding a mediation with PartnerWise, then you can call Philip Ciniglio in the first instance on 07921 387 447 for an informal chat or email him on philip@partnerwisefranchise.com
EE (MOBILE PHONE RETAIL STORES)
EE (Mobile Phone Retail Stores) – large well know retail brand who were looking to roll out a franchise program after a successful initial trial.
We were appointed by EE at an early stage to help develop a franchise offer and roll out their franchise program starting with all the financials and legalities.
Over an 18-month period we approved over 35 franchisees and franchised over 90 stores (mix of new and transfer) accounting for c20% of the retail estate.
Coupled to this we helped develop numerous in-house processes such as KPI & Balance Score Cards, ‘Growth Ready’ criteria and Performance Reviews for franchisees when on-board.
Once all the above was established we then recruited the people and expertise to continue this growth as we step away from the business.
KFC, CENTRAL & EASTERN EUROPE
KFC, Central & Eastern Europe – Global food brand looking to enter new markets
Sourcing of large scale Franchise Partners (such as Private Equity businesses / large corporates / high net worth individuals) to be responsible for a county, or regional, growth of the brand.
The work included in-market liaison with investors as well as location analysis, market entry modelling, business plan assessment, significant partner attraction and negotiation of long-term development agreements in line with our market development strategy.
We also processed and codified the entire sourcing process which has been rolled out globally within KFC as best practice.
PIZZA HUT DELIVERY
Pizza Hut Delivery – Appointed to step-change store growth through increasing the number and quality of franchisees.
We worked internally to develop their New Partner Sourcing Strategy and deliver it over a 3.5-year period. This involved everything from sourcing strategies, web development and marketing through to hosting discovery days, interviewing, background screening and business plan analysis.
Delivery included the attraction and full end to end on boarding of over 30 franchisees a year with up to 50 stores a year being opened.
The original 6-month contract was renewed 7 times and our processes and procedures were adopted by the Legal and Ops Directors for Turkey, South Africa, EAME and Canada.
Taco Bell
Taco Bell – Blending Mexican food and California style Taco Bell has been running since 1962 and has over 7,500 restaurants globally, yet only a relatively small footprint in Europe. A unique ‘category of one’ position in the UK fast casual dining market Taco Bell is very much ‘on trend’.
PartnerWise were tasked with managing and accelerating unit numbers through the current franchise network as well as sourcing and securing new franchisees. Plus also open new European markets. The success of which meant the contract kept rolling in line with the unprecedented new restaurant openings and step change in financial performance.
During this time we also recruited people in to key roles to ensure the ongoing success of what we had created as well as acting as a sounding board to US parent company.
BT
BT – When BT bought out EE they turned to PartnerWise to look at, refresh, re-model and re-launch their BT Local Business Licensing Model off the back of PartnerWise’s success rolling out the EE franchise for the previous 18 months.
BT Local Business is a network of c40 independent businesses serving the SME market selling exclusively BT products and services since 2002. Already a successful model they wanted to ‘shake up’ what they currently do and raise their profile in the franchising/licencing market to secure talented partners to redefine what good look like in terms of financial performance.
And that’s what PartnerWise have delivered and continue to do so. Everything has been revamped from marketing collateral and profile raising to financial modelling and applicant processing with new partners already in the channel.
Oltco
OLTCO – are leading resin bound surface specialists providing surfaces for the commercial and domestic market including driveways, paths and patios, balconies, swimming pool, playground and commercial kitchen flooring.
Founded in 2004 their ethos is to ensure their franchisees maintain a good work/home life balance. With their recent launch of the world’s first recycled plastic surface they are an innovative company and recently came first in a franchise industry article with brands set for success.
With customers such as John Lewis, Wembley Stadium, the NHS and British Airways they are a company that are truly one to watch
Scrumys
Scrummys – David, the brains behind Scrumys, was successfully running the business, a rugby themed kids learning company promoting respect, discipline and fun, in the Windsor area and was keen to grow his brand, and national coverage, through franchising. But first he needed the support to take what he had developed and make his business a franchise opportunity.
Promoting healthy lifestyles in children and with no direct national competition, David had developed over a 100 programs for kids from 18 months to 11 years, all OFSTED compliant. This multi-revenue stream business is an exciting prospect for anyone interested in kids and/or sports franchising.
Since meeting David we have worked through all aspects of the business model and made it franchise ready. Already sponsored by Canterbury and backed by the Rugby Football Union, during this time we have also been joined by England World Cup winner Will Greenwood OBE who is our brand ambassador. The business is now ready to expand and our next job will be looking for franchisees.