Jul 2011 - Issue 5 - National Federation of Fish Friers

And in terms of setting up the business transfer side of things,
how did that come about?
SP: We felt that to achieve our overall goal for the Graveley’s group
that it could not be done by us alone. We needed help. So that is
one reason we set up Graveley’s Business Transfer Agency
alongside John, who has a wealth of experience in the fish and chip
industry and good knowledge of many of our target areas around
the country.
John Cairns: I have been involved in property and business transfer
for about 30 years and for the last 12 years have got to know
Simon and his family, selling them many businesses. Having built
up a strong working relationship, around two years ago we decided
to set up a business transfer agency solely concentrating on fish
and chip businesses, because we felt that the industry needed the
professionalism we can offer.
“Simon and I have a very similar vision of where we feel the
industry is and where the industry is going in the future.”
It seems like the industry is starting to realise the changes that are
happening and the changes that need to be made in order to stay
competitive. But it’s not just us, its people like yourselves (NFFF)
and many other people in the industry. Increasingly we seem to
all be singing from the same hymn sheet.
So what are your aims for Graveley’s Business Transfer Agents?
JC: My message to all fish and chip shop owners is if that if you
want to sell your business, now or in the future….. Get your house
in order!! Make sure your business is presented correctly and that
your accounts reflect what you say you are taking. It will make life
a lot easier and attract buyers, because there are plenty of buyers
out there.
We have embraced technology and utilise all the main advertising
media in the industry offering the full, one stop shop, for both
prospective buyers and sellers. We can offer finance, solicitors,
accountants, everything. We’ll hold your hand the whole way and
offer the right advice whether you are buying or selling.
Franchising fish and chips has always been seen as notoriously
hard, what are your goals and what obstacles are you most
wary of?
Issue 5 July 2011
SP: In terms of targets, in the next 7 – 10 years, if things take off,
we expect to have around 200 stores in specifically chosen
demographic areas of the country. These will all provide consistent
quality products and service every day. Backed by our group of
owner investors, all trained and producing a quality talked about
product.
In terms of obstacles it has to be pessimism, banks and bottle. We
don’t expect it to be easy and know there will always be obstacles
in the way, but we just have to navigate around them.
JC: We feel the industry needs this and wants this and most
importantly we feel the potential franchisee wants to be involved
with a trusted name within the fried fish industry like Graveley’s of
Harrogate.
What’s your inspiration behind this business plan?
SP: In our world everyone knows a good chippy and everyone
knows a bad chippy. This subject is constantly talked about, just
as much as the weather is between friends and colleagues. It’s a
British obsession.
Our vision for the franchising business is to give the country a
trusted view of a quality natural product that is served to a
consistently high standard, full of flavour, without cutting corners.
It will be created by quality trained operators and be talked about
by folk, young and old in a positive way. That’s what we are aiming
for and in my view is a good aspiration.
What’s your current view of the industry?
SP: We need a change in the public’s perception. Like any
industry, you will find good and bad operators, good and bad
suppliers, there are more and more professional people on a daily
basis wanting to invest, retrain and join our industry.
Since setting up the business transfer agency, our database has
grown considerably and I feel confident that the many quality
operators out there can be of assistance in some way to a new
band of people wishing to enter our industry, which will in turn
create a better respect for our industry and its employees. “It’s
about creating careers for people and not just stop-gap jobs”, as
lots of society seem to take this view of our industry.
JC: For business transfer the market is improving slowly, but
coming back to this idea of getting your house in order, the days
of reckless lending by banks are finished. If you have everything
in order then the banks will lend. Due to demand from fish and
chip shop operators we are looking at various sites in the south for
a southern based office - watch this space!
SP: This is a fully fledged traditional British industry that needs care
and nurture, for my part I want to expand on that tradition,
challenge the confusion about what fish and chips is and regain the
public belief in our product. We need to give the public back that
understanding and trust that they are eating something that’s good
for them and compliments part of a healthy balanced diet.
Thanks to Simon and John for sparing their time.
www.graveleysofharrogate.com
www.graveleysbt.co.uk
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