While most analysts are predicting a tough year ahead for the economy amid expectations that many firms could go to the wall in 2012, Roy Seaman, managing director of Franchise Development Services (FDS) said that with major banks like NatWest, HSBC, Lloyds TSB last year lending than more than ever before both to companies wishing to expand by franchising and to individuals who want to be their own bosses, the outlook for franchising remained positive.
He said his company, whose headquarters is in Surrey Street, had been working hard with banks to make sure funds would be made available and he was “very satisfied†with the reactions on the banks.
“When we look back to the year 2000, we can see that there has been 50pc growth in both the number of new franchisors and new franchise owners,†Prof Seaman said. “In fact, since the company first began in 1981, there has been growth in franchising year on year. Continue reading.