What Franchise Issue 21.1

benefiting from national promotions, supply chains, and the strength of a trusted, established brand. This balance allows them to retain their independence but grow with confidence under theWelcome umbrella.” Guided not governed Fitton recognises that for many independent retailers, the ideal franchise isn’t one that takes over every decision. It’s a model that offers support without taking away control. “Most independent retailers want to retain some independence. They like the umbrella of a franchise – the systems, support, and promotions – but they also want the freedom to put their own stamp on the business,” he says. “That’s why soft franchise models are so popular: they balance brand strength with entrepreneurial flexibility. Full franchises will grow steadily, but not rapidly. And, of course, independence becomes less of a sticking point if the profitability is proven. If you’re making serious money, giving up some freedom is much easier to live with.” Franchising is often mistaken for a loss of independence, but Fitton is clear that’s not the case with Welcome. In fact, the support they provide is designed to empower franchisees to run their stores confidently and make decisions for their local market. “Before a new store even opens, we have a dedicated opening manager on site, working alongside the franchisee and their team,” he explains. “They’re in the store one to two weeks ahead of launch and then spend two to three days a week there for the first 12 weeks. “During that time, they train the team, work through a detailed checklist, and make sure everything is covered. At the end of the process, the franchisee, store manager, and Operations and Development manager sit down together to sign it all off before handing over.” Southern Co-op ensures operational consistency for every franchisee, with a support team ready to step in whenever needed. “We’re there to guide them through,” Fitton adds. “That’s our strength: constant, hands-on support so franchisees never feel left on their own. Too often, new retailers get a bit of training and are then left alone – that’s when it all unravels.WithWelcome, the difference is the level of support.We don’t just hand over the keys and walk away.” New routes to revenue Expanding into new categories is no longer optional for convenience retailers. Diversification is now key to staying competitive and capturing additional revenue streams. “The market is so competitive that if you’re standing still, you’re going backwards,” says Fitton. “For some of ourWelcome franchisees, diversifying has meant adding QSR franchises like Subway into their stores. It works well because it attracts extra footfall, and while customers are there for food-to-go, they’ll often pick up groceries too. It’s a great way to use space more effectively and complement the existing offer.” Karak Chaii, inspired by authentic Indian street food and popular chai culture, offers a concession-style format that fits seamlessly into existing retail spaces, allowing owners to introduce high-demand, takeaway-ready products without disrupting their core business. “Convenience store owners already have deep knowledge of their local market, high footfall, and a strong community presence,” Abhijit Chauhan, Karak Chaii’s Operations Director, explains. “They’re Zain Hyde Head of Coffee to Go, Lavazza on the Move “The value to our brand of being at Retail’s Best is really, really high.” Carissa Penfold Head of New Business, Cook “A brilliant opportunity to connect with a wide range of engaged and influential retailers.” Shamly Sud Director, GHSL - award-winning multi-site retailer in Glasgowwith franchise concessions including Speed Queen, Subway and Tubbees “A great opportunity to meet up with other retailers and pick up new ideas to copy into your own business.” Hemant Tandon Director, Park Garage Group - third generation, family-run convenience store business in southern England with franchise concessions including Creams, Subway, Starbucks and Bakery 79 “I’ve been to Retail’s Best for many years and it’s where you meet all the key people in the industry.” W H A T T H E E X H I B I T O R S S A Y : WHY CONVENIENCE RETAIL IS IMPORTANT 50486 stores in mainland UK, accounting for... £48.8bn +71% TOTAL SALES OF STORES ARE RUN BY INDEPENDENT RETAILERS £10.5bn IN GVA OVER 443,000 JOBS £916m INVESTED SOURCE: ACS LOCAL SHOP REPORT 2025. Mike Fitton, Head of Franchise, Southern Cooperative 65 WHAT-FRANCHISE.COM Ins ight