Franchise award hopes for Preston pet food company (From This Is Lancashire)

Franchise award hopes for Preston pet food company

4:33pm Sunday 27th April 2008

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A Preston based pet food company has been named a national finalist in the British Franchise Association's (bfa) Franchisor of the Year Awards, sponsored by Express Newspapers and HSBC Bank.

Oscar Pet Foods, which has 88 franchisees across the UK, is hoping to be named bfa Franchisor of the Year on Thursday, May 22, at London's Sheraton Park Lane Hotel.

In an industry now employing more the 370,000 people and worth an annual £12.4 billion to the economy, the awards showcase Britain's best performing franchisors as well as recognising outstanding brand building and enterprise.

The theme for this year's Awards is "Now and then, five years on", and it requires Oscar Pet Foods to demonstrate to the judges how their business has developed over the past five years.

Five years ago, no one would have believed that Oscar Pet Foods, as one of the most successful pet food delivery suppliers in the UK, could be quite so different.

The family business, which has focused on quality and service, has grown from strength to strength.

Following a management buy-out Oscar improved almost beyond recognition in the competitive pet food arena.

A large part of Oscar's success is due to their new commitment to establishing a strong partnership with the franchisees, even embarking on a UK tour where the directors met each and every franchisee.

Their opinions are important to the franchisor and they hold regular meetings at their Preston head office to swap ideas and consult on strategy.

Oscar's success has been supported by a new marketing initiative and a complete re-branding of the company.

With new products, professional packaging, an innovative new van design and a re-launched uniform they set the scene for growth.

PR has played a key part too as Oscar went from very little publicity to receiving more than 1,000 pieces of national and regional press coverage by taking advantage of the great pet stories the franchisees encounter.

Brian Smart, director general of the bfa, said: "The bfa Franchisor of the Year Awards recognise the finest examples of franchising and pay tribute to the efforts that franchisors have made in developing their businesses over the past five years.

"This year's entries were of exceptional quality and Oscar Pet Foods should be justly proud of reaching this stage."

Yvette Taylor, Express Newspapers' Business Advertising Manager, added: "This year's National Finalists have successfully demonstrated the benefits that can be gained from franchising and by following an established business model.

"Express Newspapers fully appreciate the advantages of building a strong and successful brand, and we look forward to sharing the winner's story with our readers and seeing them reap the rewards of their success."

Cathryn Hayes, HSBC's Head of Franchising, said: "For over 20 years HSBC has been supporting the franchise industry and we are delighted to honour those franchisors who stand out as leaders within their field.

"Oscar Pet Foods is a first-class example of how franchising is a proven and successful way for businesses to expand and develop."

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