One of the most famous names in agency in the north of England, Dacre Son & Hartley, is seeking to expand through offering franchises.
Dacres operates now from 21 offices, has 120 staff and an annual turnover of around seven million pounds*.
It aims to offer at least six sales and lettings licences within the next 12 months. In addition to residential sales and lettings, survey and financial services, the company also offers land development, planning, commercial property management, commercial agency and specialist professional services via Dacres Commercial.
The franchise fee starts from £12,500 plus VAT, 10 per cent of monthly turnover and a monthly management charge. For that franchisees will receive a five-year renewable licence - with no renewal fees - plus use of the corporate software, website and brand in a specific territory, bespoke induction and training, payroll and accounts preparation, access to the corporate marketing department and inclusion in the annual business review.
The firm says it is happy to discuss franchising anywhere in the county but is looking specifically at Wakefield, Selby, Northallerton, Thirsk and Easingwold, Clitheroe, Halifax and Huddersfield.
The recent improvements in the economy and the property market make this the ideal time to bring our franchise offering to the market. We have a very successful business model that has stood the test of time and continued to thrive despite challenging economic conditions. We are keen to grow the business and franchising is the next logical step says Patrick McCutcheon, head of residential sales and franchise director.
The firm says ultimately it may expand further south - but that is in the long-term.
*This corrects an earlier version of this story which gave an incorrect turnover figure.
%20-%20IMAGE%20Client%20Accounting%20%E2%80%93%20what%20are%20your%20options.jpg)
Comments
12,500 upfront seems a bit steep for the pleasure of having someone else's name above your door! The question is though, if you know what you are doing, do you need the help of a franchise package...
Famous in the North - so why a stock photo of London boards
This is what happens Graham when you copy and paste an article from the Yorkshire Post without checking!
http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/yorkshire-living/leisure-fashion/homes/agency-launches-franchise-in-bid-to-expand-1-6845617
Dacres turnover is around 7m and the YP will be correcting this next week.
A real tragedy that in order to break up the old partnership with 20 odd directors a great brand like Dacres must be taken down the Franchise route. Nothing like a good old fashioned bit of estate agency spin though.
Graham Norwood - as author of the article can you confirm that 120 staff turn over 120M a year in the North of England Sounds a bit bullish to me!