The National Franchise Exhibition (NFE) is a leading franchise event in the UK, bringing together aspiring business owners with hundreds of franchising concepts across every sector imaginable.
As a veteran of franchise exhibition for over 30 years, Nigel Dawson Franchise Director / Board Director and Co-Founder of easyStorage is sharing his insider tips on how to make the most of your visit to the NFE and find the right franchise opportunity for you. They're also giving a sneak peek into some of the quirkier aspects of the UK's biggest franchising show.
According to Nigel:
“We are always actively looking to expand our franchisee network. The NFE is the perfect venue to meet aspiring business owners interested in running an easyStorage franchise.”
Specifically, the team is eager to discuss two exciting franchise opportunities:
Launched in 2022, after a successful container pilot site in Steventon. Nigel explains:
“This appeals to those seeking a flexible business that generates ongoing income from storage rental. It’s like property investment but without legislation of domestic lets.”
With low overheads and investment, it’s ideal for part-time operation alongside other ventures.
The easyPod franchise, running since 2018, opportunities still exist to operate easyPod in regions like Northern Ireland, Leeds, Sheffield and Newcastle. Nigel notes:
“Although we have strong national coverage, resales also occasionally come up as some franchisees move on. We capture details at the NFE of those interested in certain areas for when territories do arise.”
Alongside growth opportunities, easyStorage meets existing franchisees at the NFE. The event allows them to share insights on the latest offerings and where the brand is headed next.
With exhibitors filling multiple halls and thousands of visitors over two days, the scale and buzz of the NFE can seem daunting especially if you’re new to franchising.
However, Nigel, explains that while massive in scale, the event has evolved to be much more streamlined and business-focused than the shows of 30 years ago:
“The NFE today is far more business orientated. It's designed for people who are interested in going into business to see a whole variety of franchising opportunities, from small mobile operations to major brands like McDonalds.”
The diversity of exhibitors is vast - from mobile franchises you can run from a van, to retail stores, business services, pet care, home maintenance and everything in between.
However, rather than booths giving away freebies to attract passers-by, Nigel finds franchisors now focus on explaining their proposition and if it's the right fit for you:
“Exhibitors today never have to explain the concept of franchising - visitors already understand it. People come to our stand wanting to know specifically about the easyStorage opportunity.”
The NFE gives you the chance to explore different franchising models and sectors, then engage with brands aligned to your interests and investment appetite.
With so many franchisors to talk to, having a plan is key to making the most of your time according to Nigel:
“Go to the NFE to see what appeals to you across different sectors and models. Make contact with brands you're drawn to and understand if their proposition fits what you're looking for in a business.”
It's wise to note down exhibitors you want to be sure to talk to, so you don't miss any concepts that intrigue you.
As the exhibition days are busy, Nigel explains franchisors can only provide a high-level overview when you visit their stand:
"At the show itself, you can only get a snapshot. Many visitors come to our stand so we give a brief explanation then invite people who are interested to a follow-up discovery event.”
This is where the real value lies. Nigel suggests this is an invaluable next step:
"The discovery event is a 2-3 hour deep dive where interested visitors can really get under the skin of the business. You get all details about the investment, operations, and support so you can determine if it's the right fit.”
Capturing information at the NFE then attending focused discovery events for franchises that interest you based on the initial conversations is crucial. This gives you the insight needed to make an informed choice on whether the opportunity aligns with your skills, interests and financial requirements.
Beyond the exhibition itself, Nigel highlights that the NFE offers wider exposure and connectivity in the franchising world:
“It's the PR, media coverage, show guides and events around the NFE that make it so vital to the industry. Sponsors like the British Franchise Association also do great work promoting franchising nationally and regionally.”
For easyStorage, the NFE has been their most effective recruitment channel over the years:
“The NFE is our single most important event for franchisee recruitment. We get exceptional interest in our stand and consistently sign up new franchisees through the exhibition.”
Nigel attributes this to the quality of visitors specifically coming to the NFE to explore franchising. He notes:
“People attend because they have already made the decision to start their own business through franchising. They come prepared and are actively looking for opportunities, which leads to great engagement.”
This focused audience makes exhibiting incredibly rewarding to connect with motivated candidates serious about launching a franchise business.
With hundreds of franchises on display, Nigel believes several factors make brands stand out on the busy NFE floor:
Consumers today demand meaningful brands they connect with. Nigel advises looking for concepts you inherently relate to:
“People come to our stand because they love what the easyStorage brand represents. Good branding like our distinctive orange and bold ‘easy’ name really resonate with people.”
A brand you believe in and are excited to represent gives you an edge in promoting the franchise.
Seek franchises addressing clear customer needs - does the service offer real value for consumers? As Nigel notes:
“easyStorage taps into constant demand for storage space. People understand the need for our service which makes it easy to promote.”
Look for evergreen, needs-driven concepts versus passing trends.
A franchisor needs to be as invested in your success as you are. Engage with brands that show genuine interest in you and your growth.
From location selection to marketing, the franchisor should outline what ongoing support you can expect. A lack of transparency is a red flag.
By focusing on these factors, you can zero in on opportunities that align with your personal interests, values and business goals.
Attending the National Franchise Exhibition is an invaluable opportunity to jumpstart your journey into franchise ownership.
To make the most of the UK’s premier franchising event, keep these tips from franchise veteran Nigel Dawson of easyStorage in mind:
By following this advice, you can narrow down the right franchise opportunity for you and get one step closer to owning your own business.
Be sure to visit easyStorage at Stand M45 in Hall 3 at the upcoming NFE on October 6th-7th and keep up with all the action by following us on social media Facebook: @easyStorageOfficial, Twitter/X: @easyStorage_UK, LinkedIn: easystorage and Instagram: easystorage_uk. Our team will be on hand to discuss how you can tap into the thriving self storage sector. See you there and we wish you the best of luck on your franchise journey!
Book your storage online in a few clicks. We've made that easy too! (10% discount)
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Our storage packages have the added benefit of free removal of your items, saving you up to £1,000. All you need to do is pack your items (or we can pack for you, supplying boxes and packing material) and we’ll pick-up your items and store them in our safe and secure easyStorage facility. Then when you are ready, we’ll deliver them wherever you need us to. You just need to give us two working days’ notice. Perfect if you are moving house, running out of space, or just need somewhere to store your stuff.
Our storage plans provide you with a cost-effective alternative to renting your own lock-up storage space as we’ll only charge you for the storage space you need, making it cheaper for you.
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