Ashtons Franchise Consulting

Ashtons Franchise Consulting Practical franchise experts helping on your journey to successful franchising, with tailored development.

Assisting, guiding and mentoring businesses to develop and expand through franchising.

A big thank you to one of our recent franchise feasibility study clients for taking the time to share this lovely feedba...
09/09/2026

A big thank you to one of our recent franchise feasibility study clients for taking the time to share this lovely feedback about working with our consultant, Rob Hall.

A franchise feasibility study isn’t about telling every business that franchising is the answer.

It’s about taking an honest look at the business, exploring the opportunities and challenges, and helping the owner decide whether franchising is actually the right route for them.

In this case, the conclusion was not to franchise – and that’s absolutely fine. Our role is to provide honest, balanced advice, even when the answer isn’t the one a business owner might initially expect.

Full review:

"Working with Rob was an absolute pleasure from start to finish. He's incredibly down to earth, takes the time to really listen, and brings a huge amount of knowledge and experience without ever making things feel overwhelming. Throughout the process, Rob was patient, accommodating, and always happy to talk through the different options available to us. We genuinely enjoyed our conversations with him – he took the time to understand our business, answer our questions honestly, and help us explore what franchising could look like for us. Although we ultimately decided not to take our business down the franchising route, we never once felt under any pressure. Rob's advice was balanced, thoughtful, and always centred around what was best for our business. He's not only an expert in his field but also a genuinely lovely person to work with. We wouldn't hesitate to recommend Rob to anyone considering franchising or simply looking for honest, knowledgeable advice."

The speaking schedule for The National Franchise Exhibition is out – and we’re excited to be part of it!First up on Frid...
08/09/2026

The speaking schedule for The National Franchise Exhibition is out – and we’re excited to be part of it!

First up on Friday morning, our Managing Consultant Phil Mowat QFP will be taking to the stage to present:

‘How to franchise your business successfully and effectively’

If you’re considering franchising your business, this is a great opportunity to hear practical advice on what it takes to build a franchise that works, both for you and your future franchisees.

Planning to be at the exhibition? Come and say hello to us on stand J130.

Free tickets here: https://www.franchiseinfo.co.uk/franchise-exhibitions/the-national-franchise-exhibition/

If franchising your business is on your radar - our free masterclasses are for you!The next session is taking place on 1...
03/09/2026

If franchising your business is on your radar - our free masterclasses are for you!

The next session is taking place on 16 October, bringing together franchise expertise, legal insight and financial advice in one informal, interactive session.

You'll hear from:
🔹 Phil Mowat, Managing Consultant at Ashtons Franchise Consulting - what needs to be in place to successfully franchise your business and the key steps involved.
🔹 Damian Humphrey, Franchise Lawyer at Ashtons Legal LLP - the essential legal considerations.
🔹 David Concannon, Franchise Development Manager at NatWest - franchisor support, franchisee funding and other franchise services.

Whether you're just starting to explore the idea or already wondering what your next steps should be, it's a chance to get practical advice and ask questions.

Register via Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/how-to-franchise-your-business-essential-steps-tickets-1991546401899
Or email [email protected]

We've been writing about franchising for a long time. And not just about how to franchise.Over the years, our consultant...
25/08/2026

We've been writing about franchising for a long time. And not just about how to franchise.

Over the years, our consultants have contributed to articles covering everything from franchise recruitment and relationships to technology, AI, sustainability and the future of franchising.

We've brought a selection of them together in one place.

If you're thinking about franchising your business - or you're already a franchisor looking for some fresh thinking - there's plenty to explore.

👉 Browse our press articles: https://lnkd.in/eg2EmdVE

45 years of franchising has taught us a few things…• Good franchise relationships matter• No two businesses are the same...
20/08/2026

45 years of franchising has taught us a few things…

• Good franchise relationships matter
• No two businesses are the same
• There isn't a one-size-fits-all approach to franchising
• A great first franchisee doesn't automatically mean you've built a great franchise model
• And bigger isn't always better

We've seen businesses succeed, change direction, grow, adapt and sometimes decide that franchising wasn't the right route after all.

That's the reality of 45 years in franchising, and it's experience that shapes the advice we give today.

Our consultant Phil Mowat worked with EBG Empowering Business Growth to develop their franchise. We received this fantas...
19/08/2026

Our consultant Phil Mowat worked with EBG Empowering Business Growth to develop their franchise. We received this fantastic feedback!

"Working with Phil at Ashtons Consulting has been a game changer for my business. His expertise, clarity, and strategic insight helped me transform my operations into a fully franchise ready model with confidence. Phil doesn’t just advise he supports, and delivers real results. Highly recommend!"

Empowering Business Growth (EBG) is a UK-based business coaching and consultancy helping business owners scale with clarity and confidence - and they’ve launched their franchise model. Discover more here: https://empoweringbusinessgrowth.co.uk/franchise-opportunities/

13/08/2026

Sometimes it’s easy to focus on the practical side of franchising - the strategy, the planning, the recruitment and everything that needs to be put in place.

But watching these client comments back reminded us of something equally important: the relationship behind all of it. Franchising is a big step for any business owner, and we’re proud that so many businesses have trusted us to be part of that journey.

The plans matter. The expertise matters. But so does having someone alongside you who understands your business, challenges you when needed and is there to support you along the way.

A big thank you to everyone who took the time to share their experience with us.

Could franchising be the next stage of growth for your business?We don't want to wish summer away… but October will be h...
12/08/2026

Could franchising be the next stage of growth for your business?

We don't want to wish summer away… but October will be here before we know it!

Our next Franchise Your Business Masterclass is taking place on 16 October, bringing together franchise expertise, legal insight and financial advice in one informal, interactive session.

You'll hear from:
Phil Mowat, Managing Consultant at Ashtons Franchise Consulting - what needs to be in place to successfully franchise your business and the key steps involved.
Damian Humphrey, Franchise Lawyer at Ashtons Legal LLP - the essential legal considerations.
David Concannon, Franchise Development Manager at NatWest Group - franchisor support, franchisee funding and other franchise services.

Whether you're just starting to explore the idea or already wondering what your next steps should be, it's a chance to get practical advice and ask questions.

Register via Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/how-to-franchise-your-business-essential-steps-tickets-1991546401899
Or email [email protected]

We're looking forward to exhibiting at the National Franchise Exhibition at the NEC Birmingham this October – just 2 mon...
06/08/2026

We're looking forward to exhibiting at the National Franchise Exhibition at the NEC Birmingham this October – just 2 months to go!

If you're thinking about franchising your business, planning your next stage of growth, or simply want to understand what's involved, drop by and see us on stand J130.

Come and say hello, we're always happy to talk franchising!

What do you do when your franchise network grows faster than you expected?You stop recruiting.It’s a nice problem to hav...
05/08/2026

What do you do when your franchise network grows faster than you expected?

You stop recruiting.

It’s a nice problem to have. But it’s still a problem that needs managing.

That’s exactly what happened to The Leak Detective.

After rapid growth in 2025, the business made the decision to turn off its franchisee advertising and pause recruitment for four months. Not because demand had disappeared. Quite the opposite.

They wanted to take a step back, consolidate the network and make sure their existing franchisees were properly onboarded and supported before continuing to grow.

And the result is impressive - The Leak Detective now has 16 locations across the UK.

That’s a significant achievement for a specialist business and a great example of what can happen when strong demand is matched with a clear vision and the right foundations for growth.

It’s also a reminder that successful franchising isn't simply about how quickly you can recruit franchisees. Sometimes, knowing when to slow down is just as important as knowing when to grow.

We’ve taken a closer look at The Leak Detective’s journey from specialist Scottish business to growing UK franchise network.

Read the full story: https://www.ashtonsfranchise.com/news-and-resources/afc-news/how-the-leak-detective-is-scaling-across-the-uk/

Address

Trafalgar House, 4 Meridian Way
Norwich
NR70TA

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+443300160028

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