ANC franchises on offer
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• A total of 15 ANC franchises are up for grabs from Kent to Scotland, and industry sources say that none of the depots is worth less than £1.m.
Up to eight of the operations are available immediately: all 15 are available because the previous franchisees have gone into liquidation or failed to meet the required standards, and ANC has stepped in to rescue the businesses.
Now ANC is satisfied that the territories have recovered, and is seeking new companies to join its 65-strong network. "We are not prepared to name the areas yet," says marketing manager John Gardner. "We do not want to put off any applicants because they feel they are not close enough to an operation — we hope they will discuss the advantages with us first."
Some of the territories, however, are known to be in London and Midlands areas.
ANC has yet to forge a national agreement that is acceptable to all its members. Several different agreements exist, tailorrnade to suit indi vidual businesses as they joined the franchise operation.
Now ANC wants to reach a single agreement that sets standards throughout the UK, but because of the diversity of the franchisees there are sticking points. "It is not an issue of major importance — the business goes on as normal." says Gardner. His confidence is shared at ANC Billingborough, where owner John Huggins says the "daggers-drawn" days are over.
"Under the present management we are happier than we have been at any time in ANC's history," says Huggins, who has held an ANC franchise for 10 years.