Q&A: Does Boots Opticians Franchise in the UK?

Alice Tuffery, writer

Published at 22/02/2018, Updated on 04/05/2022 , Reading time: 5 min

Q&A: Does Boots Opticians Franchise in the UK? — Photo © boots-opticians-franchise-informatiion.jpg

Looking for a business opportunity with consistently high demand and fantastic brand reach? You could partner with one of the UK’s leading eye care companies. Let’s find out whether there are any Boots Opticians franchise opportunities available.

The Boots brand has been around since the mid-1800s, so it has a wealth of knowledge and experience when it comes to succeeding in the optical industry. Let’s find out more about the impressive company.

Does Boots Opticians franchise?

Yes; although the wider Boots company isn’t a franchise, the business does use the model to expand its eye care subsidiary brand in the UK.

Now recognised as the biggest and most established retail optical franchise in the UK, Boots Opticians is an exciting company to join. Franchisees who invest in its system become part of a market leading brand and trade under one of the most reliable and respected companies in the industry.

History of Boots Opticians

Boots dates back to 1849, when entrepreneur John Boot set up a herbalist store in Nottingham to sell affordable alternatives to traditional medicine. But it wasn’t until 1925 that the business launched its pharmacy branch, with a 24-hour outlet in Piccadilly Circus. By 1988, Boots Opticians was a successful brand, growing across the UK.

Today, Boots is a household name, and provides a wide variety of different services, with specialisms in vaccination, hearing care, photo printing and parenting.

You can find out more about the history of the Boots franchise brand in our dedicated article, Q&A: Does Boots Franchise In The UK?

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Starting a Boots Opticians franchise unit

Boots Opticians is looking for investors who want to establish a long and successful career with the brand. Prospective franchisees should have a passion for offering the best possible care for patients while building relationships and loyalty in the local community.

To become a Boots Opticians franchise partner, you’ll need an entrepreneurial spirit and the dedication to set up and run a profitable business over a number of years.

If you think the Boots Opticians franchise model is right for you, the next step is to request a call with one of the company’s franchise portfolio managers. During this initial chat, you can ask questions and provide details of your experience in the optical industry.

Next, you’ll visit a selection centre and present a business plan demonstrating why Boots should partner with you. Following some personal checks, the Boots Opticians Operating Committee may give their approval for you to become a franchisee.

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Becoming a Boots Opticians franchisee:

Boots Opticians offers three pathways to entrepreneurship:

1. Buying an existing franchise unit

When existing franchisees want to sell their practice, Boots’ franchise team can put you in touch with them. With this system, would-be investors can buy a business with a ready-made customer base and inherit a team with relevant industry and local knowledge.

2. Set up a new franchise unit

Boots Opticians have identified suitable franchise territories across the UK, and there may be an available region in your preferred location. If you decide to start a new franchise business, Boots will be able to share information about local customer demographics through its Boots Advantage Card system.

The Boots franchise team will also help you design your store layout to meet specifications, manage building teams and deal with local planners. As a result, new franchisees can save time to concentrate on perfecting their business before launch day.

3. Convert an existing business

The Boots Opticians franchise team may allow you to convert an existing opticians business if it’s in a location where the brand isn’t yet established. This option provides an excellent opportunity for opticians to benefit from the recognition and reputation of the Boots model.

How much you need to invest:

Boots Opticians is a household name with a high level of industry experience, so franchisees should be prepared to invest a significant sum. The total cost of launching a store will vary depending on its location, size and the package chosen, but should be between £160,000 and £310,000.

As part of this total cost, you’ll pay the franchise fee of £10,000, which allows you to trade under the Boots brand for 20 years. Then, the site renovations should come in at between £160,000 and £210,000, depending on the size of the store.

Plus, you’ll need to accommodate stock and equipment costs of £60,000. There are also legal fees of £10,000 to consider, as well as IT hardware and installation costs, which are roughly £20,000.

You should also plan to put aside some working capital to keep your business afloat until it breaks even.

What you get for your investment:

The Boots Opticians franchise package includes a wealth of business support to help investors get their branches off to a great start.

As a franchisee, you’ll receive help while developing a business plan, securing funding and finding and negotiating property leases. The franchise team will also be on hand to provide guidance with the design and management of the store renovation, product selection and IT implementation. Plus, the experts can advise you on launching local marketing campaigns.

Once your business is up and running, the Boots Opticians franchise team will continue to provide quality guidance in order to help you get the most out of the opportunity. They’ll support you with financial management and cost control, implementing processes and driving positive performance. You can also rely on help with staff training and development, and local marketing activity.

As part of the investment package, Boots Opticians offers initial and ongoing training programmes, which are tailored to your individual needs. They include both classroom-based learning as well as on-site activities to help you boost your skills effectively.

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