Franchising
Case Studies

Case Study: Andrew Thompson, Driver Hire Swindon

Andrew Thompson went down the Driver Hire route six years ago. He has found that the franchising formula certainly works for him and the Thompson family in general. Andrew owns the Driver Hire Swindon franchise and his sister, Lorraine, owns the Driver Hire Oxford office. Andrew's business continues to go from strength to strength. Earlier this year his franchise's strong business performance earned him a 'Diamond Award' for achievement.

Driver Hire, with over 100 offices nationwide, is the UK's leading supplier of temporary workforce to the transport industry. Andrew's Swindon office supplies all types of driver for LGV's, vans, 7.5 tonners and even forklifts. So if a haulage contractor, or indeed any business, is short of a driver, they'll put a top quality reliable and suitably qualified person behind the wheel.

Whilst ex-serviceman Andrew had some experience of working in the transport industry - he was a goods vehicle driver before buying his Driver Hire franchise - he's quick to point out that previous experience isn't a pre-requisite for franchise success.

"Other successful Driver Hire franchisees include a bank manager, an engineer, a teacher and a senior manager responsible for railway catering," says Andrew. "Driver Hire is an ISO 9002 business, an Investor in People and a member of the British Franchise Association. All new franchisees go on an excellent induction course which is then backed up by ongoing support. They do everything possible to make sure you are a success."

And that word 'success' is key to franchising. Something which Ian Doig, Franchise expert with the Royal Bank of Scotland would agree. "With an established franchise, which has BFA full membership, you're buying into a proven business success story. Figures show that 95% of franchisees are in profit within the early years, compared to 45% of normal business start-ups."