Business Franchise June

26
Chris Mark
Former Red Cap Chris Mark has been in some own initiative. So if I saw something that needed changing, I’d change it.’
hotspots in his time, but nothing quite prepared him He began with two outlets – Colchester and Ipswich – but soon saw that
for the challenges of his own Oggy Oggy franchise. a van-based operation could cut overheads and increase proﬁ ts, so he cut
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In just over four years, the business has grown so he back to one outlet and added ﬁ ve vans.
now has a string of vans As a former Royal bodyguard who has toured in
as well as the Colchester Albania, Algeria and Northern Ireland, Chris has
outlet – and while he still always wanted to be an entrepreneur – and
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puts in 12-hour days, the a large payout after 22 years put him in a
hard work is paying off. prime position. ‘I put the lot into this, and I’m
‘In 22 years with the military police, delighted I did,’ he says. ‘I’d hate to work for
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I’d been used to following rules and anyone else now, because I get such a buzz
regulations,’ says Chris, ‘but I’d also used my out of being my own boss.’
Oggy Oggy Pasty Company founder Brian Stanleick Generator business model lends itself well to both buoyant times and also
is equally delighted with franchisees from the forces. ‘Some franchisees might buy those more challenging economic climates, helped considerably by the multiple
a franchise and want to change it, because they think they know better,’ he adds. income streams of the business.’
‘But ex-servicemen in particular are well suited to following a formula or a system.’ And after many years in the forces, many new franchisees make the transition
With one former Red Cap who is now a successful franchisee (see box), a from disciplined ofﬁ cer to equally disciplined businessman incredibly quickly.
former ﬂ ight lieutenant and another ex-services franchisee coming on stream this Warrant ofﬁ cer John Murray ended his 23-year career in the British Army one
September, Brian would be delighted to see more. Friday afternoon in 1999, and began intensive training with Cash Generator on
Ex-servicemen typically have a ﬁ nal payout which they can use to set up a the Monday.
franchise. And instead of searching for premises, Brian points out, they can have ‘I always dreamed of becoming a successful businessman making enough
a van-based operation or industrial unit which are much easier to mobilise and money to lead a quality life,’ admits John, now Wishaw franchisee. ‘When I ﬁ rst
become proﬁ table quickly: ‘No one else is doing freshly baked traditional pasties, came across the concept of Cash Generator, I knew I was going to be part of it.
just sandwiches, and so franchisees have a head start.’ A brand new concept and an attractive business format franchise is not available
Oggy Oggy Blackpool franchisee John Jerrell is delighted he made the move. very often so I grabbed the opportunity.
The product sells itself, says the former Royal Navy lieutenant commander from That army experience of working with different groups of people in difﬁ cult
Penzance who used to ﬁ nd he could not buy a decent Cornish pasty away from situations helps him manage his staff, John believes: ‘My staff are my business’s
Cornwall, ‘though there were plenty of poor imitations.’ strength, and if they are happy it will reﬂ ect in the cash counter.’
And moving from his Royal Navy existence to franchising was ideal, says John: For the right franchisee, the rewards are substantial. Cash Generator franchisee
‘We’re used to doing what we’re told, and following a set of instructions – we Nick Bourne moved from a police career to a Cash Generator franchise in
follow the procedures as laid down.’ That doesn’t rule out initiative, he adds – but Weymouth just under two years ago - and could hardly have imagined that within
it has always meant taking a bright idea one step up the ladder, and then often a year his business would be so successful that he would be able to buy his dream
seeing a superior ofﬁ cer take the credit. car, an Aston Martin.
‘I’ve worked hard all my life, but the difference is that now I’m doing it for us,’ With a turnover of over £1m in the ﬁ rst year, buying the car of his dreams
says John, who works with wife Allison and son Nathan. ‘When we work hard was the icing on the cake for Nick. ‘I love the sense of achievement I get from my
now, we get the beneﬁ t, and I think that’s wonderful.’ business,’ he says, adding that he plans to buy his wife her dream car – a Porsche
Those successes are set to continue, says Robin Page at Cash Generator. – in the next nine months. Putting years of discipline to use as a franchisee has
‘With the amount of people currently leaving the services, franchising provides paid off for Nick, as it has for so many former services, police and ﬁ re ofﬁ cers
them with an off-the-shelf turnkey package to self-employment. The Cash around Britain. ■
Next month’s Special Feature: A look at holiday and children’s franchises
June 2008 www.businessfranchise.com
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