Chock Shop franchisees see success during pandemic

Chock Shop has revealed how its Berkshire franchisees, Will and Trish Shaw, launched and grew a profitable business during the pandemic.

Before the couple invested in the dessert franchise, Will Shaw was in and out of jobs; he wanted to do something he loved while pursuing his passion for football. As he had never run a business before, the pair were attracted to the idea of franchising as a way to access a proven model and high-quality support.

Now, Will and Trish run their very own brownie business selling delicious chocolate cakes to hungry customers across Berkshire. They set up their stall at a wide range of events, from food and music festivals to county shows, horse trials and even dog competitions.

Will said,

“Being self-employed is great, I am my own boss, which gives me the freedom to choose when I work and not having to be told when/what to do… We love engaging with our customers, it doesn’t really feel like hard work; people are always friendly, it’s such a fun job to have.”

Although Will and Trish launched their Chock Shop unit in June 2020 and were immediately forced to adhere to government safety regulations, they have been able to see success. They took part in weekly outdoor food markets and are now looking to hire an employee so they can launch a second stall. In the next five years, they hope to expand into an additional territory.

By taking part in both weekly markets and other events, Chock Shop franchisees can expect to bank over £80,000 per year. And the best bit? The franchise team is on hand to help, not only by providing initial training, but also by finding suitable events for franchisees throughout the year.

Will added,

“Chock Shop was nothing like I expected - it was better.”