5 Tips for Running a Van Based Franchise

Elliott Fudge, writer

Published at 31/10/2021, Updated on 04/05/2022 , Reading time: 5 min

5 Tips for Running a Van Based Franchise — Photo © 5-Tips-for-Running-a-Van-Based-Franchise.jpg

There are lots of ways to run a van-based franchise. As with all new businesses though, starting a new venture can be challenging and difficult. Thankfully, we’re here to cover some of the top tips for running a van-based franchise, so if you’re looking for advice on how to push your business to the next level, this is the article for you.

Van-based franchises are quickly becoming an important part of the UK retail and service scene. Where high street stores are struggling with costs, restrictions on trading and footfall, van-based franchises are at liberty to go wherever their customers need them. No surprise then that so many aspiring franchisees want to run their own van franchises. But how can you run one successfully?

Why start a van-based franchise?

Van-based franchises are becoming more and more important to many franchises around the country. As the pandemic has touched so many businesses in so many adverse ways, some of the most popular enterprises in the country have been forced to innovate to keep going. And when it comes to running a van-based franchise, it’s easy to see why:

You have the ability to choose where to take your business
You can access high-footfall events, festivals and locations
Your labour costs will be minimal
You will have total flexibility and independence about your operational area
Have a lower level of risk compared to smaller and medium-sized businesses

There are lots of reasons to start a van-based franchise, so if you’ve decided this all sounds right to you, here’s how you can run your own van franchise.

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5 tips for running a van based franchise

So, having decided that running a van-based franchise is the right thing for you, you then need to start honing in on how best to run your franchise. For that, consult the following 5 tips:

1. Build your business around flexibility

The single biggest advantage that any van or mobile-based franchise has is flexibility. Be it in how or where you work, van-based businesses are at liberty to go wherever they see fit. When it comes to building out your franchise network, emphasise the operational flexibility at your disposal.

Within a franchise business, most franchisees will work within a designated operational area. As you recruit and start to build a network of franchisees, try to build your business with this in mind. Find the right locations for your business and encourage your employees to work locally and build up a solid regional base.

2. Discover your unique selling point

If you haven’t already, discover what it is that makes your business different to your competitors. Maybe it’s your price point, suppliers, equipment or your response time, but whatever it is, ensure that’s it’s front and centre on as much marketing and advertising material as you can possibly do.

A unique selling point can be as simple as carrying out the same service for a cheaper cost. Or, it could be using a brand new, unique piece of equipment. But find what makes your services different and use it to seize a section of this market for yourself.

3. Tap into environmental trends

Businesses can’t get away without meeting environmental commitments anymore. Particularly in an industry as emissions-heavy as a van-based franchise. As you make preliminary meetings with potential franchisors, ask them about whether you need to source your own van, whether one is included as part of the franchise agreement and to what extent is it a green vehicle?

Not only will this help you meet commonly agreed green targets for businesses, this is also something that will help draw additional customers to you. While you may be a vehicle-based franchise, your emissions can still be low.

Electric cars are already more sustainable than petrol and diesels with an internal combustion engine (ICE). At the moment, they generate around half the emissions of their ICE counterparts. This figure will only improve in the future as the UK electricity grid decarbonizes further, increasing EV sustainability with each passing year. - Drive Electric.

4. Recruit properly

Finding the right employees can be a challenge for lots of businesses. With so many businesses already being hit hard by labour shortages, this has only gotten more difficult. Try to set out your stall early when it comes to recruitment and consider what kinds of individuals and skills will be a good fit for your franchise.

You might want to narrow your search for employees with:

Good organisation
Good customer-facing skills
Organisation
The ability work as part of a team
A good understanding of your business ethos

Building a good company culture will help your business perform better and will ultimately make it a more attractive company to work for.

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5. Use your franchisor

Your franchisor can help develop your skills, scale up your business and put you in touch with like-minded franchisees. Franchisors are there to help guide you through many of the ups and downs of your franchising experience, so be sure to stay in touch with your franchisor as much as possible. You never know when you might need them.

Start a van-based franchise today

Running a business always brings some complications. But, overcoming them and growing after them is what makes a great franchisee. In order to run a business that turns a profit and benefits both you and your franchisor, some of the above tips are a good place to start.

If running a van-based franchise doesn’t sound quite right for you though, you could have a look at the UK franchise directory. You’ll be able to search sector by sector to find the right industry and franchising opportunity for you.