The results are in: The winners from the 2018 bfa HSBC Franchise Awards.

The top franchises in the UK were shortlisted back in February as part of the British Franchise Association (bfa) HSBC Franchise Awards, and since then the nominees have been bursting to find out who the winners are.

The wait was finally over when the kings and queens of franchising were announced at the black-tie event at the ICC in Birmingham on 28th June 2018. The ceremony was crammed full of motivational stories of outstanding contributions to the franchising industry and a celebration of worthy winners.

If you’re considering buying into a franchise, then what better opportunities to consider than those chosen by experts from within the franchise industry. All of the winning franchises named below will now have the right to display a bfa HSBC franchise award winner logo. This will act as proof to prospective franchisees that they’re one of the top franchises to invest in.

bfa 2018 award winners

Without further ado, here is the list of winning franchises as voted for by industry experts and representatives from the British Franchise Association.

AWARD: Emerging Franchisor of the Year Winner: We Love Pets

Buying into a franchise can be a daunting prospect but getting to combine your passion with being the boss can remove much of the worry. If you're an animal lover, this is precisely the opportunity that We Love Pets can offer. Franchisees with the business provide a range of services including dog walking and pet sitting.

The franchise was established in 2014 and since then has grown significantly. Now boasting 14 branches all over the UK, it’s easy to see why We Love Pets won the Emerging Franchisor of the Year award.

AWARD: Young Franchisee of the Year Winner: Right at Home (Almas Adam)

At the tender age of just 27, Almas Adam has been running his Right at Home franchise in Loughton for three years. His homecare business employs 40 people and provides exceptional care for more than 60 clients. Almas struggled as a teenager with shyness but winning this award goes to demonstrate the power that franchising can have to empower young people.

AWARD: Customer Focus Winner: Dyno-Machmade

You can only become one of the top franchises if customers buy your products or use your service. This is why the Customer Focus award is a sign of a franchise that makes their customers their number one priority.

This year’s winner was Dyno-Machmade. In fact, this is the second year running that the plumbing and heating franchise has won this award. It’s a real testament to the franchise's business model which provides a 24 hour / 365-day emergency service to both contract and on-demand customers.

AWARD: Network Contribution Winner: InXpress (Neil Hatt)

Neil Hatt, a franchisee at the shipping franchise, InXpress in Birmingham, was the proud winner of the Network Contribution award. Neil has been an integral part of the InXpress franchise by mentoring less experienced franchisees within the business.

Neil’s mentoring support has been so valuable, that he is now helping to recruit prospective franchisees. His passion and success make him the perfect candidate for this role. Neil is also playing an active part in the franchise’s growth plans into Europe.

AWARD: Brand Awareness Winner: Stagecoach Performing Arts

One of the most significant benefits of buying into a franchise is the brand awareness that comes from investing in an established business. This is why back in 2015, Stagecoach gave some serious thought to the power of their brand.

It was decided that to remain current, a rebrand of the entire business was necessary. This was a big decision which saw an investment made in refreshed marketing collateral, websites and uniforms. The rebrand was a success with the entire UK network adopting the new brand identity within six months.

AWARD: Innovation Winner: Tutor Doctor

This home tutoring franchise is the winner of the Innovation award thanks to the introduction of exciting new technology known as Bramble. Tutor Doctor has always excelled at face-to-face tutoring, but this new audio and visual system enable them to offer the same service online, giving customers flexibility and convenience.

Similar software to FaceTime and Skype along with an interactive whiteboard enables Tutor Doctor franchisees to connect with their students as if they were with them in person. This pioneering functionality has given franchisees the chance to earn via an additional income stream and keeps the franchise one step ahead of the competition.

AWARD: Franchise Support Winner: Revive! Auto Innovations (UK) Ltd

Revive! are the UK’s leading provider of paint repairs, with more than 70 franchisees operating 130 mobile repair vehicles up and down the country. And as the winner of the Franchise Support award, Revive! helps each one of these franchisees through every stage of their franchising journey.

The Revive! support system is there from helping franchisees to take on their first employee to growing their business. The award-winning support package includes assistance with interviews, employee training, as well as help with contracts, and induction programmes.

AWARD: Multi-Unit Winner: Costa Coffee (Diljit Brar)

If you’re buying into a franchise with the objective of becoming a multi-unit franchisee, then Costa Coffee could be the opportunity for you. You could become the next Diljit Brar, a franchisee with Costa Coffee who has an incredible 71 franchises. Considering the prerequisite for the award was to own more than three franchises, it's no wonder Diljit walked away with the award.

AWARD: Franchisor of the Year

Bronze - Driver Hire Nationwide Driver Hire is a management franchise that has proven that they’re a good investment time and time again for over 30 years. The recruitment business specialises in temporary and permanent drivers and logistics staff and is a well-established franchise with a tried and tested business model.

Silver - Agency Express Agency Express is the only estate agency board company to cover the whole of the UK. The franchise now boasts a network of over 114 franchisees and has built up a name as being the market leader. Franchisees get the opportunity to be part of a well-known brand with a good reputation and comprehensive franchise package.

Gold - McDonald's Restaurants Ltd McDonald’s has been one of the most famous franchise brands in the UK since 1986. Today more than 70% of McDonald’s restaurants are run by franchisees. It’s no surprise that this global giant has won the sought-after Franchisor of the Year gold award.

Who knows, if you become a successful franchisee, you could be at the British Franchise Association award ceremony next year.