Q&A: Does Utility Warehouse Franchise in the UK?

If you’re interested in starting a franchise in the convenience store sector, why not consider a partnership with Utility Warehouse? A Utility Warehouse partnership isn’t quite a franchise, but it gives you the opportunity to work with an established business and receive extensive training and support.

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The Point Franchise team has plenty of expertise to offer on the subjects of franchising and investing, and if you’d like to start a business relationship with this multi-service utility provider, this comprehensive Q&A will give you all the information you need to benefit from all the advantages of running a retail franchise in the highly profitable energy sector which supports over 700,000 UK jobs [Energy UK].

Does Utility Warehouse franchise in the UK?

No, Utility Warehouse (often stylised as UW) does not franchise in the UK. But that doesn’t mean there are no opportunities for you with this exciting multi-level marketing company with more than 600,000 customers [The Guardian]. And if your heart is truly set on a franchise investment over anything else, don’t fear. Similarly game-changing franchise opportunities in the energy sector are available.

One great example is Green Square, a sustainable energy supplier founded in London back in 2012 that has “a vision of keeping the sector dynamic and establishing a national framework of local branches”. You can become a Green Square franchisee for a minimum initial investment of £35,000, with a total investment cost of £700,000, and after investing you’ll be fully trained and supported.

Exploring the history of Utility Warehouse

Founded in 2002 as a subsidiary of Telecom Plus, Utility Warehouse is the UK’s only genuine multi-service provider, fully regulated by Ofgem, Ofcom and the FCA (Financial Conduct Authority). Essentially, the UW aim is to make the lives of customers easier by bundling all their home services into one simple bill.

The business relies on its trusted and experienced network of partners to spread the word about its unique services, and these partners recommend UW to people in their community. This business model has been working for over two decades, and Utility Warehouse now serves over 600,000 customer accounts with the help of over 45,000 independent distributors.

Starting a Utility Warehouse unit in the convenience store sector

Utility Warehouse gives you the opportunity to become a Partner within the discount club, and once you’re in the club, you’ll be actively encouraging others to switch and save money. Though this type of work isn’t for everyone, people with a strong sales background can experience real success with no ceiling as a Partner. Here are the three questions you’ll need to know the answer to before you invest:

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>> Read more:

• Top 5 Convenience Store Franchises in the UK
• Convenience Store Franchise Opportunities

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1. How do you go about becoming a Utility Warehouse Partner?

To become a UW partner, you don’t need any prior experience. A huge advantage of working alongside an established business is the extensive training and support you’ll receive, just as you might if you were a franchisee. Enter into this agreement with little to no knowledge, and it won’t be long before you’re filled with interesting finds and savings. That being said, helpful skills for a role in which you’ll be encouraging others to join a service include:

• Communication
• Sales and persuasion (as mentioned above)
• Patience
• Politeness
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively
• Passion for the work/the UW service

2. How much do you need to invest?

If you’re tempted to become a partner, it’ll cost you £10 if you’re a customer first. However, if you’re not a customer, the initial investment is £50. There’s also a monthly licensing fee of £3. If you’d like to invest in a franchise, it will cost you considerably more, but this comes with many other advantages.

The average cost of starting a franchise is £42,200 [British Franchise Association], though the true cost will totally depend on the brand’s name, size and location, and the level of risk will be substantially lower than it would within a multi-level marketing scheme like Utility Warehouse. As mentioned earlier, options like Green Square await, and there’s also energy-adjacent franchise businesses that might suit - like Envirovent, a manufacturer and supplier of energy-efficient ventilation products.

The cost of joining UW as a distributor has been reduced by 75% in recent years and now costs just £50 [...] This £50 license fee is covered by an unconditional 14-day money back guarantee. On top of this and subject to new distributors completing their getting started training, the company [extends] this money-back guarantee to 90-days. - Business Opportunity Plus

3. What do you get for your investment?

Whether a franchise or not, there are many advantages to joining an established business rather than starting one from scratch, not least the level of support you’ll have access to and the pre-existing operational guidelines you’ll be able to follow. As a Partner with Utility Warehouse, you’ll have access to:

• All the selling tools and tips you need to thrive
• Unlimited training (initially and on an ongoing basis)
• Unlimited resources
• A dedicated website and email address
• A wide range of marketing materials
• Regulatory licensing
• Public liability insurance

As a Partner, your role is to recommend our services, helping people switch to UW. How you go about it is up to you, whether it’s through informal chats over a cup of tea (our Partners’ preferred method), virtually from the comfort of your home, or even reaching out to people you might not have met before. And fear not, you’ll be fully supported when you start – we’ll give you all the tips, tricks and know-how to help you get off on the front foot. - Utility Warehouse

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>> Read more:

• 5 Advantages of Franchising for Young People
• 9 Things to Know Before Becoming a Franchisee
• Mythbusters: Common Misconceptions About What Makes a Successful Franchisee
• 5 Great Reasons to Become a Franchisee
• Franchising 101: Are You Ready to Become a Franchisee?
• Franchising 101: 6 Things to Know Before Becoming a Franchisee

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Start running your own business today with the Utility Warehouse business model

Hopefully, you’re now certain - one way or the other - whether UW is the right fit for you. If it isn’t quite right, and you’d like to keep exploring your options, stick around on Point Franchise. Browse the extensive UK franchise directory to discover an investment opportunity that’s 100% up your street.