What Franchise Issue 21.1

GRO Franchise brings landlords, prime retail sites, and experts together to help franchises make smart choices Location is everything 01 Showing support First event dedicated to franchise property “The biggest reason franchisees fail is because they don’t open in the right location, identify the best terms or sites for them, or understand how to go about it properly. This event is the first dedicated property showcase for the franchise market,” says Harrison Sharp, Senior Sales Manager at GRO Retail. This year, the event brought together 150+ franchise operators, 750+ retailers from the UK and internationally, over 2,000 decision-makers, 600 pre- arranged meetings, and insights from 40+ industry expert speakers in the buzzy atmosphere of Old Billingsgate Market. 02 Identifying the blind spots Franchisees are trained to run a business – but not to secure the right property. Without location expertise even the strongest operations and marketing cannot save a store. In many cases brand strength, systems and processes take centre stage while property selection is left to chance. A poor site or unfavourable lease terms can drain cash and doom a venture. Yet onboarding for new franchisees often focuses on operations leaving property issues under-explored. This silent gap in preparation is one of the leading contributors to franchise failure rates, making GRO Franchise an essential pitstop. 03 Common mistakes in site suitability Many franchisees overpay for unsuitable space because they don’t know how to benchmark rents or negotiate incentives. Others pick sites with poor footfall or mismatched demographics. Some sign punitive leases without considering break clauses or rent reviews. Harrison Sharp notes that franchisees often lack the knowledge, contacts and expertise to secure property on the right terms. These errors are compounded by time pressure to secure a site, fit it out and open.Without guidance franchisees risk committing to landlord- first deals and under- estimating hidden costs. Part of the flagship GRO Retail event at Old Billingsgate Market this autumn, GRO Franchise is the UK’s go-to destination for founders, franchisors and franchisees looking to scale, and ambitious entrepreneurs aiming to take the next step. Whether you’re searching for your first location or expanding into newterritories, GRO Franchise brings prime opportunities straight to you. At this year’s event, attendees met leading UK landlords, explored prime retail spaces, and gained insights from franchise consultants, property experts, and financial backers, while networkingwith like- minded peers. GRO Franchise is where franchise dreams take root – and growbigger. 42 WHAT FRANCHISE Issue 21.1