{"id":15921,"date":"2022-08-29T09:00:33","date_gmt":"2022-08-29T08:00:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/?p=15921"},"modified":"2022-08-26T18:37:41","modified_gmt":"2022-08-26T17:37:41","slug":"franchise-exhibitions-in-the-uk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/franchise-exhibitions-in-the-uk\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Make The Most Of Franchise Exhibitions in the UK"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_89 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #101010;color:#101010\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #101010;color:#101010\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/franchise-exhibitions-in-the-uk\/#1-go-in-with-a-game-plan\" >1. Go In With A Game Plan<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/franchise-exhibitions-in-the-uk\/#2-prepare-questions-and-form-connections\" >2. Prepare Questions And Form Connections<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/franchise-exhibitions-in-the-uk\/#3-keep-an-open-mind\" >3. Keep An Open Mind<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/franchise-exhibitions-in-the-uk\/#4-dont-forget-to-follow-up\" >4. Don\u2019t Forget To Follow Up<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/franchise-exhibitions-in-the-uk\/#mark-your-calendar-for-national-franchise-exhibition-2022\" >Mark Your Calendar For National Franchise Exhibition 2022<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<span class=\"span-reading-time rt-reading-time\" style=\"display: block;\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\">Reading Time: <\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\"> 3<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">minutes<\/span><\/span><p>Franchise exhibitions are practically paradise for prospective business owners.<\/p>\n<p>You can learn about up-and-coming franchise opportunities, engage in free seminars and lectures from industry veterans, and interface with like-minded entrepreneurs.<\/p>\n<p>However, these behemoths can also be incredibly daunting in their sheer scale. With dozens or hundreds of different franchise booths to explore, how do you separate the sound from the noise?<\/p>\n<p>Well, you\u2019ll need a bit of research, notetaking, and a lot of preparation. We\u2019ve compiled four key tips to help you make the most of your next franchise exhibition.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" td-center aligncenter wp-image-15922 size-large\" title=\"image2\" src=\"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/image2-1024x715.png\" alt=\"how to make the most of franchise exhibitions in the uk | Franchise Local\" width=\"1024\" height=\"715\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/image2-1024x715.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/image2-300x209.png 300w, https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/image2-768x536.png 768w, https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/image2-1536x1072.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/image2-150x105.png 150w, https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/image2-600x419.png 600w, https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/image2-696x486.png 696w, https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/image2-1392x971.png 1392w, https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/image2-1068x745.png 1068w, https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/image2-1920x1340.png 1920w, https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/image2-602x420.png 602w, https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/image2-1204x840.png 1204w, https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/image2-100x70.png 100w, https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/image2-200x140.png 200w, https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/image2.png 1999w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1-go-in-with-a-game-plan\"><\/span>1. Go In With A Game Plan<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Many people allow franchise exhibitions to pass them by due to one avoidable mistake \u2014 lack of preparation.<\/p>\n<p>With the bright lights and plethora of opportunities available, it\u2019s easy to feel like a deer in headlights.<\/p>\n<p>Nearly all franchise exhibitions publish their <a href=\"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/uk-franchise-directory\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">franchise directory<\/a> weeks ahead of the event. Carve out some time in the days leading up to the event to glance through the show catalogue.<\/p>\n<p>Highlight the exhibitors you know you\u2019d like to visit and underline those that pique your interest.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re seeking a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/low-cost-franchise\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">low-cost franchise<\/a> opportunity, then you probably don\u2019t want to spend too much time around big players that require a hefty minimum investment. Research allows you to spend your limited time wisely.<\/p>\n<p>Better yet, go into the franchise exhibition with a measurable goal in mind. For instance, <em>I\u2019d like to finish each day of the franchise exhibition with at least two franchise disclosure documents.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>This might seem daunting as franchisors usually only offer disclosures to qualified prospective franchisees. However, this could be just the fire you need to make a lasting first impression on the brands you care about.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-15924 size-large\" title=\"man raises hand at franchise exhibition\" src=\"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/image1-3-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"man raises hand at franchise exhibition\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/image1-3-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/image1-3-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/image1-3-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/image1-3-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/image1-3-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/image1-3-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/image1-3-696x464.jpg 696w, https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/image1-3-1392x928.jpg 1392w, https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/image1-3-1068x712.jpg 1068w, https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/image1-3-1920x1280.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/image1-3-630x420.jpg 630w, https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/image1-3-1260x840.jpg 1260w, https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/image1-3.jpg 1999w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2-prepare-questions-and-form-connections\"><\/span>2. Prepare Questions And Form Connections<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Building off your existing game plan, you should prepare half a dozen questions for every brand you\u2019re interested in.<\/p>\n<p>You can start with some useful stock questions like:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>What are the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/franchise-royalty-fees-what-are-they-and-how-much-should-they-be\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">franchise fees<\/a> and average startup costs for a new franchisee?<\/li>\n<li>Does the franchise offer comprehensive training programs or support systems?<\/li>\n<li>Does a new franchisee choose where to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/where-do-i-locate-my-business-to-attract-the-right-customers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">locate their business<\/a>, or is that decision made for them by the franchisor?<\/li>\n<li>Are there any patterns you\u2019ve observed in franchisees that don\u2019t find success?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>While these stock questions can offer you a great deal of information about the business, some of that information might already be available online or in a brochure.<\/p>\n<p>Remember to listen to each representative carefully and ask personalised questions about their experience as an entrepreneur and within the franchise:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>What\u2019s the company culture like?<\/li>\n<li>Do you have direct contact with the CEO or headquarters?<\/li>\n<li>Were there any mistakes you made along the way? How would you rectify them today?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>These are conversations that you\u2019re rarely exposed to over the phone, so make use of your in-person advantage.<\/p>\n<p>When you\u2019re ready to move on to the next booth, ask for business cards or contact information from anyone you strike up a conversation with. You never know when it might come in handy.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3-keep-an-open-mind\"><\/span>3. Keep An Open Mind<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Franchise exhibitions are a perfect time to realise opportunities you might not have considered before.<\/p>\n<p>Maybe you thought you want a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/home-based-franchise\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">home-based franchise<\/a>, but during the show, you realise that a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/van-based-franchise\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">van-based franchise<\/a> is more up your alley. Or perhaps you were convinced that you needed a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/low-cost-franchise\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">low-cost franchise<\/a>, but you stumbled across a brand like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/snap-on-tools\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Snap-On Tools<\/a> that offers low-cost business loans through their in-house bank.<\/p>\n<p>You have to keep an open mind and allow yourself to consider other possibilities. Otherwise, you\u2019re missing out on the benefits of serendipity.<\/p>\n<p>So, block out the majority of your day with franchises that you researched and prepared questions for. This ensures that you\u2019re spending most of your day purposefully and intentionally.<\/p>\n<p>However, make sure to leave an hour or two free so that you\u2019re able to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/hot-trending-franchises\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">explore franchises<\/a> that you didn\u2019t even know you\u2019d be interested in.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4-dont-forget-to-follow-up\"><\/span>4. Don\u2019t Forget To Follow Up<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Alright, so you made the most of a franchise exhibition. You crafted your questions and formed connections. Now comes the final but most important stage \u2014 the follow-up.<\/p>\n<p>Read through the documents and notes you\u2019ve collected, and schedule a time to chat further with representatives of brands that intrigued you the most.<\/p>\n<p>Once you\u2019re further along in the process, you can open up discussions with a franchise attorney, get your finances in order with your accountant, and submit your application to become a new franchisee.<\/p>\n<p>This process can take anywhere from a few months to a few years, so don\u2019t get discouraged.<\/p>\n<p>If you have multiple franchises that you\u2019re interested in, submit multiple applications. This improves the odds that you\u2019ll be approved for an opportunity you care about.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"mark-your-calendar-for-national-franchise-exhibition-2022\"><\/span>Mark Your Calendar For National Franchise Exhibition 2022<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Franchise exhibitions can be invigorating, but they can also be plenty intimidating.<\/p>\n<p>Whether you\u2019re thinking of attending the National Franchise Exhibition 2022 in Birmingham or the 2023 British &amp; International Franchise Exhibition in London, you\u2019ll find somewhat of a familiar scene: hundreds of established and up-and-coming brands all crammed into a convention centre.<\/p>\n<p>For the uninitiated, it might seem impossible to separate the wheat from the chaff. The secret is to slow down. Look at your franchise directory, pop the cap off your highlighter, and start whittling down your options.<\/p>\n<p>When you approach each booth, ask questions, form connections, and keep an open mind. If you follow these steps, you\u2019ll leave each franchise exhibition feeling more knowledgeable and more exhilarated for the future.<\/p>\n<p>As you\u2019re gearing up for other steps in your franchise-owning journey, browse our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/franchising-tips-and-advice\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Tips and Advice<\/a> page to learn what to do if you\u2019re <a href=\"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/are-you-unable-find-a-suitable-franchise\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">struggling to find the right franchise<\/a> and whether you need <a href=\"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/do-you-need-help-to-buy-a-franchise\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">financial help to secure your first franchise.<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Franchise exhibitions are practically paradise for prospective business owners. You can learn about up-and-coming franchise opportunities, engage in free seminars and lectures from industry veterans, and interface with like-minded entrepreneurs. However, these behemoths can also be incredibly daunting in their sheer scale. With dozens or hundreds of different franchise booths to explore, how do you [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":15923,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[29],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-15921","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-tips-advice"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/image3-1.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15921","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15921"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15921\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/15923"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15921"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15921"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15921"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}