Choosing a social franchise or Business in a Box

1. Choosing a social franchiseor Business in a Box Keith Richardson ESFN, CoRE and Economic Partnerships

2. Social Franchising defined • The social franchisor • A social franchisee • A common brand • Interchange of knowledge

3. Why take up a social franchise? 3

4. Why take up a social franchise Reduces cost Speeds up development May be impossible without it Share development costs Proven model Established brand Strength in Unity 4

5. Advantages in practice An established and credible brand; CoRE website & Network ESCoRE, CoRE’s Energy Supply Company, Support and expertise from existing CoREs; Joint purchasing and links to technology providers; Shared development models Shared equipment eg Met Mast Shared documentation – eg land lease Technical expertise Training courses 5

6. Advantages in practice But retain Local control, Local knowledge, Local credibility, Enthusiasm. 6

7. Other examples

8. Advantages in practice Known brand – known buss-model Acces to group and railway company-benefits Location # bicycle racks Secured parking (hardware, software, orgware) … Financial benefits Financial return from Holding Lower Renting prices Smart business-plan/model Communication Website Railway stations Brochures/flyers/… 8

9. Advantages in practice Extra - Services Tourism: B-dagtrip Blue-bike Only possible as network Knowledge Learning network Network notes Example-contracts, pricing,… Joint purchasing and links to hardware providers; Shared development (ex. Blue-bike) Shared documentation Technical expertise Training courses New partnerships are possible 9

10. What to look for in a social franchise Operates in a local growth area A well developed model Capacity of social franchisor Tangible benefits at the right price

11. What to look for in a social franchise Adds credibility Successful profitable franchisees Internal quality systems for monitoring franchisees Growth benefits all

12. Resources ESFN - Opposite’s Attract, Case Studies, Directories Social Enterprise UK Social Innovation Exchange

13. Group Exercise Select a social franchise What are the advantages What are the disadvantages?

14. Key lessons learnt?

15. Contact www.socialfranchising.coop keith@socialfranchising.coop

16. Key points from group 1 Need strong model first Importance of the brand Franchisees must be allowed flexibility Innovation also comes from franchisees Range of working approached that is very developmental to fixed model Don’t need a licence Social franchise s happens to people

17. Key points from group 2 How can we all get involved in social franchising? How do we all get involved in starting up social franchising – not just for social franchisors Ensure jargon free plain English Social franchising brings independence – it does not increase dependence