Thinking about setting up a franchise network? You’d do well to implement proper training programmes for franchisees, says one UK success story.
John Davidson founded Gas-Elec in 1996 after realising no other company offered a combined gas and electrical safety inspection for residential lettings. He franchised the business a year later and twelve years on, now has 18 regional franchises and 115 inspection franchises.
During that time, Davidson has also added additional services to the £10m-turnover company such as gas boiler servicing and energy performance certification.
With such a wide remit comes a need to ensure all employees have the right skills set. “One of the most important parts of a franchise is proper training for franchisees,” Davidson says. “We have built a new training centre, largely to support the franchise network but we also offer training courses to the outside world.”
Davidson notes tha Gas-Elec has been very innovative since its inception. “Another enterprising thing we’ve done is developed another brand – Fire-lec – that focuses on fire safety risk assessments for the SME market,” he adds.
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