Q&A: Does Bargain Booze Franchise in the UK?

Lily Sweeney, writer

Published at 04/02/2022, Updated on 04/05/2022 , Reading time: 5 min

Q&A: Does Bargain Booze Franchise in the UK? — Photo © Q_A-Does-Bargain-Booze-Franchise-in-the-UK.jpg

If you’re a business-minded person looking to make a profitable franchise investment in 2022, starting your own liquor store franchise is a strong option. As the owner of a Bargain Booze convenience store, you’d enjoy plenty of loyal custom, steady profit and a huge amount of franchisor support and guidance. Keep reading, and find out everything you need to know if you’re considering starting a Bargain Booze business of your own.

Bargain Booze has been around, in one form or another, since the early 80s. It’s a very resilient liquor and convenience store business that’s survived dynamic changes to the industry, a buy-out and a global pandemic. For those looking to find the right retail franchise investment and thrive, there are few options on the market as worthy of consideration as Bargain Booze.

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Does Bargain Booze franchise in the UK?

Looking to make more money and stand out on the high street? We’re easy to work with and have a flexible and agile approach to doing business. - Bargain Booze

If you’re wondering whether starting a retail franchise of your own with Bargain Booze is in the cards for you, you’ll be pleased to know that yes, Bargain Booze does franchise in the UK. Up and down the country, there are over 600 stores and 320 franchisees in the Bargain Booze network. The franchise programme is well-established and thriving, at the core of the Bargain Booze business model, and you could get involved right now.

The history of the Bargain Booze liquor store brand

Bargain Booze, which offers customers discounted prices on a range of alcoholic drinks, non-alcoholic drinks, snacks, confectionery and e-cigarettes, was the brainchild of Allan Whittle and Robert Mayor. The two were owners of a wholesale wine and spirits business who opened their first retail unit in 1981 in Sandbach, Cheshire. Their first franchise opened just seven years later in 1988 (and marked the first time the ‘Bargain Booze’ branding was used). Since this time, a great deal has happened.

Most notably, Bargain Booze formed a huge part of the Conviviality Retail chain of stores for a long time, and became the largest off licence chain in the UK in 2010. But in 2018, when Conviviality Retail was in danger of going into administration, Bargain Booze was purchased alongside another convenience store brand named Wine Rack for £7 million. The purchaser? Bestway Retail. Though the buyout has caused some restructuring, a franchise investment with Bargain Booze remains as possible - and viable - as it ever was.

I have been with Bargain Booze for 21 years and grown from a single site operator to having 5 sites with them. The simplicity of Bargain Booze helps me operate multiple sites and has helped me grow my business - my LFL sales are up in double figures! [...] I would highly recommend Bestway Retail to anyone wanting to grow their business further. - Gareth Wynne, Bargain Booze

Start a franchise in the convenience store industry with a Bargain Booze liquor shop

If everything you’ve learned so far has only left you ever more keen to start a Bargain Booze franchise - and ever more certain you’ve been able to find the right retail franchise for you - keep reading. The questions below (and their answers) will tell you everything you need to know in order to make a fully informed franchise investment with Bargain Booze...

1. How do you go about opening your own Bargain Booze store?

You can find out more about launching a Bargain Booze store of your own by contacting the company directly (via its website). Note, before you do, that though you won’t necessarily need previous experience in the retail or convenience spaces, you will need suitable premises, a licence for selling alcohol and a record that you’ve passed important checks (CRB check, DBS check, etc.) Plus, Bargain Booze is looking for franchisees who:

Actively want to improve their business skills
Like to use proven systems and structures
Believe that customers must be highly valued and respected
Have an entrepreneurial spirit

2. How much do you need to invest?

In order to start a Bargain Booze franchise, you’ll need around £15,000 in working capital. The full cost of your investment will depend on the location of your store, the size of your store and all the fees associated with set-up, marketing and more. You can find out more about costs by getting in touch with Bargain Booze, but to give you a sense of pricing in the wider retail sector, here are a couple of examples:

Ecigwizard - In order to become an Ecigwizard franchisee, you’ll need to make a minimum initial investment of £40,000, with a total investment cost of £60,000.
Zip Yard - In order to become a Zip Yard franchisee, you’ll need to make a minimum initial investment of £38,500, with franchise fees of £15,000.

3. What do you get for your investment?

Once you’ve invested with Bargain Booze, you’ll receive “a licence to trade using the Bargain Booze name and the backing of the reputation and national marketing of the group” [Bargain Booze] and a comprehensive franchise package. This package will include training (at head office and in your own store, covering operations, marketing and the EPOS system) and much, much more. You’ll receive:

Franchisor support as and when you need it (store set-up and fit-out, day-to-day running, merchandising, marketing, computing, legal - you name it, you’ll be advised on it)
Technical assistance
Operational and financial assistance
Access to an industry-leading delivery service with up to two deliveries per week and delivery teams that always go the extra mile
Access to a best-in-class range of alcohol

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Bargain Booze franchise opportunities make running your own business with plenty of franchisor support possible

If you’re 100% a sales-oriented person and you’re finding the concept of a franchise investment appealing, Bargain Booze might be ideal. Or, it might not. If it doesn’t feel like your cup of tea, stick around on Point Franchise and browse the wide range of available retail franchise investment opportunities. From Signorini Tartufi to Cash Converters, you’re sure to find something that suits you perfectly.