News

Practitioners will have the chance to explore franchising and joint venture partnerships at Optrafair next year as high street multiples gear up to recruit business partners at the show.

Specsavers, Dollond & Aitchison, Vision Express and Boots Opticians will promote the commercial strength of their brands at the NEC show from April 21-23 2007.

Specsavers director of professional recruitment Chris Howarth said most of its 560 stores were joint venture partnerships. Optrafair was an opportunity to find out more about franchising but also for pre-reg student recruitment. The Guernsey-based group will also promote opportunities in Europe having opened its first franchise in Southern Spain, with further plans to extend its presence next year.

Vision Express business development director James Windsor described the group's franchising as a 'real alternative' for those looking to set up their own business, while D&A head of franchise recruitment and acquisition Phil Horth said that franchising was 'at the heart' of the company's success.

'With a D&A franchise you own 100 per cent of the business which means you can retain all the profits and have a great deal of autonomy over how you run your business.'

Boots Opticians head of professional services Richard Edwards said he believed many practitioners would be drawn to the strength of its brand following 'a major transformation aimed at putting professionals at the heart of the business'.

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