Posted:28-January-2009
Franchisor to Franchisee at Martin & Co
It is a significant reflection on the quality of a franchise operation when a franchisor becomes a franchisee. Too often the marketing promises of franchising businesses fail to live up to expectations, but the case of Martin & Co’s Chelmsford franchisee, Stephen Frost, is a great example of a businessman really putting his money where his mouth is.
Following a ten-year career as a residential letting agent, Stephen was appointed to join a national operations team of 4 as an Operations Director with Martin & Co, one of the UK’s largest letting agencies, with over 150 franchised branches across the UK. Stephen’s role during that time was to support franchisees in terms of business generation, facilitating the integration of the Martin & Co systems, supporting franchisees with the growth of their businesses.
He must have done a pretty good job, as he realised that the opportunity for franchisees was so robust that he should himself buy a Martin & Co franchise and see some of the fruits of his own advice. Stephen knew the ropes, understood the systems, was aware of both problems and opportunities, but was above all passionate about the service provided to landlord and tenant clients of Martin & Co.
As a seasoned professional letting agent, he could have gone it alone as an independent. “I did consider the independent route…but not for long,” he admitted.
“For me it was an easy decision to embrace fully the systems I had previously been supporting as an Operations Director. I know that there is no façade with Martin & Co. They are right there for their franchisees, with solutions to common problems, a productive website, encouragement when required, and a recognised brand and support network that is outstanding. This ranges from a dedicated internal recruitment screening service, to a shop-fitting facility, and just introduced, an Acquisitions Manager whose job it is to source and acquire competing businesses or lettings portfolios so that franchisees can quickly ramp up their growth beyond their organic expansion plans.”
“I was keen to express my entrepreneurial spirit, and, knowing what I know about the company from within, there was no question that a Martin & Co franchise was the right route for me, and I haven’t looked back,” he continued.
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