UK Websaver reaches its century

UK Websaver reaches its century

UK Websaver – the loyalty card scheme which was one of the fastest growing franchises of 2007 – has signed up its 100th franchisee.

The franchise business, designed to reward customer loyalty by offering discounts on-line and off-line on good and services, is also proving increasingly popular with retailers and other traders.

Participating businesses posted more than 800 customer offers in the first two months of 2008 alone – a rise of 80 per cent on the same time last year.

These latest achievements follow hot on the heels of  impressive results in  an independent assessment of franchising opportunities in which UK Websaver scored 9 out of 10.

The points were awarded by a due diligence company which has more than 14 years’ experience of assessing franchised businesses and reporting back on their viability.  
Other franchises with a similar investment level to UK Websaver scored no more than 5 out of 10 when assessed by the same independent company.

Based on the principle that everyone likes to save money – particularly in today’s challenging economic climate – the scheme has quickly caught the imagination of the British public.

Members of the public buy a loyalty card for £4.99 which they can then use at a variety of participating businesses to save pounds, quickly recouping the initial cost of the card.

Franchisees buy a post code area and after signing up their first 50 businesses to the scheme, sell the cards to members of the public.

And in a move aimed at giving something back to the local community, UK Websaver makes a donation to a local good cause from the proceeds of its card sales once the 50 are on board.

Coming up with a concept that is simple and easy to understand has made marketing UK Websaver quite straightforward – both for the businesses taking part and   for their customers as well as the franchisees themselves.

Simon Rickett, founder and co-director of the Leicester-based franchise added: “It’s an idea that has real appeal as the response from our franchisees, businesses that join the scheme and members of the public using the cards clearly shows.”

“We’re thrilled to have signed up our 100th franchisee so soon after launching UK Websaver and at the dramatic rise in offers. The speed at which we have grown is further testament to the concept’s popularity and its credentials as a franchising opportunity.”

 “With high street independents struggling to compete with the major multiples in an increasingly difficult retail market, smaller business owners and managers are keen to look at new ways of enhancing sales, profits and footfall.

“Our loyalty cards encourage customers to return to their businesses time and again – and allow retailers and other traders to reward loyalty without the hefty expense of operating their own individual card scheme.”

“Bars, restaurants, gyms, hair salons, grocery stores and taxi firms are among the diverse businesses who now accept UK Websaver at their outlets which demonstrates just how popular the scheme has become.”

Keeping it local is another important selling point used by the franchise when seeking new franchisees, scheme participants and card holders.

Additionally, UK Websaver continues to be an attractive opportunity for prospective franchisees from a diverse variety of backgrounds – especially those who are looking to improve their work/life balance.

Although a few of its  postcode areas are run by former sales people, the majority are not, with young mums and other franchisees with no previous selling experience among its many success stories.

And with an initial fee of £6,995 plus £175 a month management fee, Simon believes the franchise represents great value for money.

He said: “Many franchises cost much more to buy than ours does and yet we have the testimonials to prove that there is huge market potential for our product.

“In addition we offer all our franchisees training and support which is second to none.

“Assuming that they follow our tried and tested business model, all our franchisees need is the determination to make the franchise work by getting out into the community and talking to people about it.

“In many cases the franchisees already frequent their local shops, bars and hair salons so they either know well or have at least previously met the people they’re selling the idea to.

“Similarly, membership cards can be sold to friends and family as well as contacts made through local schools and community groups.

In many cases, franchisees operate UK Websaver alongside other ways of earning a living, visiting potential scheme participants on their days off, at weekends and in the evenings.

Simon added:  “As UK Websaver is accepted by increasing numbers of businesses the word will spread and we’ll see even more prospective franchisees keen to take advantage of what can is an excellent opportunity whatever their circumstances or background.”

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