Member Article

Fantastic Services Celebrates New 'Top 100' Franchise Ranking

HOME cleaning and maintenance firm Fantastic Services is celebrating after being named one of the UK’s best franchises.

The company, currently celebrating its 10th anniversary, offers a full range of domestic services, from cleaning and gardening to handymen, removals and pest control.

And the company has just been ranked 14th in a new UK ‘Top 100’ list compiled by industry experts Franchise Direct.

That puts Fantastic Services ahead of international giants like Costa Coffee, Burger King, Papa John’s and Wimpy, and it’s the third highest-placed firm originating in Britain.

Co-founder Rune Sovndahl says he’s delighted with the accolade, as he targets 30 per cent growth in 2019.

Rune said: “After forming in 2009, we’ve worked hard to get to the point where we now have more than 300 successful franchising partners, who provide more than 25 types of professional services to 15,000 UK clients each month.

“And we’re pleased this new list has been published in the month we celebrate our tenth anniversary.”

The ‘Top 100 Franchises’ report is, according to Franchise Direct, the first of its kind launched in the British franchise industry.

The list was compiled by analysing everything from system size and financial performance to financial assistance to franchisees, corporate social responsibility and environmental policy.

Rune says that at the heart of the Fantastic Services model is ‘The Three Ps’: ‘Proven’, ‘Profitable’, ‘Pain-free’.

He adds: “Our franchisees can rely on a system which is entirely automated, where all interactions between management, service providers, and customers happen online.

“It’s about making things as streamlined as possible while cutting operational costs.

“The system is underpinned by a custom CRM (Customer-relationship management) system that works in sync with our websites and mobile applications.

“Customers can book all the services they need from their mobile device, 24/7, with just a few taps using the GoFantastic app, which is available for iOS and Android. .

“And we don’t just want to connect freelance tradespeople with customers, we will work closely with local franchisees operating under our brand to ensure they’re fully supported.”

Initial fees for franchisees vary dependent on the service, the package and the region in which they’re operating.

Cleaning franchises begin at around £1,970 while removals starts with an investment of £2,590.

‘Master Franchises’ are also available, for those who wish to recruit, develop, manage and lead a number of units in their geographical area, with the cost of initial investment starting at £10,000.

Mr Sovndahl adds: “Customer service is paramount to us as a brand, and as such all franchisees undergo initial training and support so they can offer the best experience possible.

“And most of all, we’re looking for people with a go-getting attitude as well as a commitment to honesty and reliability.”

Fantastic Services franchisees operate through the ‘Bfantastic’ mobile app, which lists any work scheduled, allows technicians to receive updates, and to tick-off any work completed.

Fantastic Services currently connects more than 15,000 UK clients with 2,000 professionals every month.

By the end of the year, it expects its customer base over the year to have risen by nearly 200,000 as new ventures in 10 areas, including Manchester, Chester, Birmingham, Sheffield, and the South West, become established.

Monthly active users of the GoFantastic app in the UK have grown by 45.5 per cent between August 2017 and August 2018.

Over the same period, bookings via the GoFantastic app have grown by 85 per cent, and in-app revenue grew by 76.6 per cent.

Meanwhile Anne-Claire Herel, lead author of the Franchise Direct report, states: “Compiling this research was really interesting because of the diversity of brands that are franchising successfully in the UK.

“Even though the food industry is well represented in the ranking, many franchises that made it to the Top 100 come from a variety of industries like home care, child education, fitness, retail, etc.”

Top Franchises in the UK 2019, according to Franchise Direct: McDonald’s Domino’s Starbucks Pizza Hut Swarovski KFC Subway Molly Maid Expense Reduction Analysts Husse Home Instead Senior Care InXpress Sandler Training Fantastic Services Costa Coffee Wimpy Burger King TaxAssist Accountants Kaspa’s Desserts Oscar Pet Foods

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Marco/Richards PR .