Click Here To Request Your buy-LOCAL.net Ltd Free Franchise Pack
About Us
buy-LOCAL.net is a multi-Award Winning web-based Franchise, launched in 2006, that enables customers to order quality local goods and produce online, and have it delivered to their door, at a time that suits them!
Already the recipient of several local and national accolades and awards, the Bedford-based business is the brainchild of husband and wife team Rick & Lisa Sanderson. The business is built on the premise that the easiest way to connect local people to local food is to deliver it in a more modern and convenient format.
Growing the business through franchising is now the target for buy-LOCAL in 2008, with Bedfordshire and Gloucestershire already in place. We now aim to establish franchise hubs right across the UK that will benefit from our knowledge and support. Your expertise, passion, and knowledge for your area will be the key to unlocking value in your local food chain. Our package starts at £10,995, so we offer a great low cost way to turn your interest in food into a profitable business opportunity.
In terms of accreditation we have been awarded with Farmers Weekly Magazines ‘Food Miles Hero’ certificate, and been given Bedford County Council accreditation as part of their ‘Tastes of Beds’ Local Food campaign. We have been mentioned by David Cameron in his speech to the Oxford Farming Conference as a leading example of a ‘Sustainable Business’ and we were also awarded support from DEFRA as part of their ‘Rural Enterprise Scheme’.
In 2007 we were runners up in the Regional Finals of the Shell Livewire Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards, and also Regional Finalists in the UKTV ‘Local Food Heroes’ Competition. In the summer of 2007 we were ‘Highly Commended’ in the East of England Tourism ‘Enjoy England Awards for Excellence’, and were one of the final 50 companies in the 2007 ‘Run the Gauntlet’ Business Investment Competition.
In November 2007 we were winners in our local media groups ‘Rising Stars’ Competition of the ‘New Business of the Year Award’ and Highly Commended in the ‘www Business of the Year’ 2007, as well as being one of five companies short listed for the overall ‘Company of the Year’ Award.
In 2008 we were Runners up in the ‘Bright Sparc’ Awards for ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ and ‘Best use of Technology in Business’ Awards in Milton Keynes, along with appearances on BBC's Dragons Den, Ready, Steady, Cook and Radio 4 Farming Today.
So we have proven that our franchise can attract customers, media attention, and awards, and with a fast growing franchise network, this is an exciting time to get on board!
Rick & Lisa Sanderson, Founders
Training and Support
As a buy-LOCAL Franchisee you will be joining a business that is committed to offering fully comprehensive support and training.
Our expertise will enable you to hit the ground running-by running our own “pilot area” in Bedford we have been through all of the key start up processes, ensuring that when the time comes for you to launch the business you are ready and able to develop a thriving and ethical business-we do not just hand over the systems and processes and let you get on with it, indeed this is more of a true partnership.
Our Training Programme is very comprehensive and will provide you with all the training you will need to get the business up and running, as well as providing you with an ongoing package of support. Our programme is aimed at ensuring we pass on all the expertise that we have gained from operating our “pilot operations”
The Training Programme is not just focussed on the range of products that we sell; it is vital that we pass to you all our knowledge through a varied programme of classroom and field based training that includes;
· Product Knowledge and Local Suppliers
· Web Site Build and Development
· Sales and Marketing
· Customer Service
· Administration and Accounts
· The Van Programme
· Running A Business
The programme will cover all you need to know about how to operate the system and will give you an opportunity to develop a close working relationship with the management team. The programme is classroom training aworking with the owners of the business. Our Franchisees will never have to implement anything that they have not seen in action!
We also provide you with a comprehensive package of Operations Manuals and Training materials.
During your initial business set-up, our team will be on hand to guide you through all the key stages including company set up and VAT registration, and during your launch period we will be on-hand to lend support and guidance.
In addition we will be offering ad-hoc training and marketing updates throughout the course of your franchise, giving you an impressive package that will allow you to develop a prosperous business.
Financial Information
Becoming your own boss is not a decision to be taken lightly, but the opportunity to change your lifestyle by developing your own business is an exciting one. Joining our franchise network will require your total commitment and it will be hard work, but our business model will enable you to develop a thriving business, however, you will need to make a financial commitment to the business!
(a) Initial Franchise Fee
The initial investment is £10,995 (exc. VAT) and includes-
- Licence to trade and operate under the buy-LOCAL.net trade name
- Training Programme
- Branding and Stationery Pack
- Full Corporate Uniform
- Launch Programme (e.g. Direct mail campaign, leaflets, local press advertising and PR)
- Operations Manual and Training materials
In addition, our Franchisee will join a van programme and we have put in place a van leasing scheme (together with a number of other financing options) based on a fully liveried and fitted out vehicle.
This, together with working capital to support your business through the first couple of months will ensure that you set the business up in the correct way!
(b) On-going Fees
Franchisees will pay 2 on-going fees-
1. Management Fee based on 5% of gross sales revenue
2. Sales and Marketing Fee based on 2% of gross sales revenue
(c) Franchise Projections
Following on from your first meeting with our team, the company will fully disclose detailed financial information including information that will enable a Franchisee to build a robust Business Plan.
We can even provide you with support in initial funding as we have worked in conjunction with a number of the leading Franchise Banks, who will be able to tailor the best package for your circumstances!
Are you for us?
Whilst we believe that we have covered every angle of the business, starting up a new business in an area will require your total commitment and a lot of hard work!
We do not expect you to be an “expert”, as we can train you in all the key systems and processes and then support your development during the life of the franchise, but there are a number of qualities that we are looking for-
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A passion for ethical operations
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Customer focussed
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Confident and enthusiastic
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Good interpersonal skills to deal with both suppliers and customers
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Self-motivated and committed to delivering high standards
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The ability to organise your daily routines in order to maximise your financial returns
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Business aware – you will be running your own business and will need to be able to organise, plan, resolve difficult situations and take difficult decisions.
The business is driven by a strong sales and marketing package, and our franchisees will need to be sales focussed at all times.
We take great care during the recruitment process to ensure that the buy-LOCAL.net opportunity is the right one for both you and ourselves. We see this as the start of a long and thriving relationship for both parties – so it is vital to get this right!
- To start the process, we ask you to complete the Franchise Application Form and return it to us with any other information that you consider to be relevant. Then, if we believe that you have the right potential and the relevant experience that we are seeking, we will invite you to a meeting at which we can explore your application in more detail and give you a lot more information about this exciting opportunity!
- We will ensure that as part of the process you have the opportunity to see the business in action and will arrange for you to spend some time experiencing the business at first hand.
- We will also provide you with key information that will help you to develop a robust business plan whilst also giving you full access to our franchise agreement.
Territories/Locations
We are very much customer led in terms of establishing our franchise territories. Each franchise will be given postcode driven territory of roughly 30 miles from which to source suppliers and find customers. We can help in terms of scoping out your chosen location, have a marketing toolkit to help you find customers, and are flexible in terms of building the territory you want!
According to IGD figures, the £2.4bn UK online grocery market will more than double over the next 5 years to reach £5bn in 2012. Online grocery retailing sales have already grown by 30% in the past year, with 1 in 10 customers saying they won’t visit a supermarket in 5 to 10 years time, doing all their shopping online. 40% say they would like to use ‘Specialist Stores’ for at least part of their shopping in 5 to 10 years time. Despite all this growth, the online grocery market is still only 2% of the overall grocery trade, but growing 6 times as fast. 61% of UK households are now on the internet, with 18% buying some form of groceries online.