Just a number

It's official - age discrimination is dead in franchising. While the jobs market might be full of barriers around age and experience, those hurdles disappear in franchising - indeed many good franchisors actively seek out older and younger franchisees for the unique qualities they bring.

A measure of how the profile of franchisees has changed is provided by the annual franchising survey by the NatWest and British Franchise Association. Over the last decade, the surveys have found that the average age of franchisees has risen by a total of four years (to 47). In 1992, over half of all franchisees were under 40, while now it is fewer than one-third.

Moreover, the 30-50 age group makes up the bulk of franchisees. But there's plenty of scope for enthusiastic young people, and mature people looking for a good outlet for their skills. The survey found that 27% of new franchisees last year were over 50, and 13% were under 30.

"The pull of creating a sustainable business and being your own boss, compared with full-time employment, is an attractive proposition," says Graeme Jones, head of NatWest and Royal Bank of Scotland's franchise team. "More mature franchisees are actively sought by franchisors as they are well placed to take up a franchise, and may also fit with the desire to have more franchisees being responsible for a larger number of territories or outfits." It can also be an ideal opportunity to bring in younger family members, he says, so they can carry on the business when the franchisee decides to retire.

Age is not a particular concern for Dean Watmough, the managing director of ORCA, a website design service "We only recruit people with the ability to get on well with others, and form long-term business relationships," he says. "Business experience is an advantage, but as the old saying goes, 'people buy people'. Age is irrelevant - attitude is everything."

As the clouds loom over the world economy, uncertainties in the jobs market will be giving many a discontented employee the impetus they need to make the move to go it alone. Numbers of franchise applicants typically rise in recession, as job uncertainties - or sometimes a big redundancy pay-off - push experienced people into a second or even third career.

"With the economy as it is, many people take time to reflect on their lives," says Mr Watmough. "They'd rather be in control of their own destiny, rather than lay their futures in the hands of employers." And older franchisees can bring special skills. "Often a more mature franchisee brings a great deal of life experience with them," he says. "Just like a good rugby team, we have a great balance of older and younger heads."

The right franchise can also bring financial security. Mature people who buy a business for less than £20,000 can build it up and sell for six-figure sums, says Terry Steel, a septuagarian franchisee of The Wedding Guide. "Franchisees aged 60 and over often have a significant advantage over younger whiz kids, because they have the credibility and can relate to families," says Mr Steel, who has become group chairman. "Becoming older and mellower gives you a real advantage, as long as you have five years plus of work in you, because while you may have less energy you have more ability and maturity."

Younger faces can bring the enthusiasm that drives a franchise. But they can lack credibility - as well as security on a loan. The credit crunch has arguably exacerbated this, making it increasingly difficult for younger people to find funding. Nevertheless, many will still be able to draw on family backing to start them off in franchising.

At CHIPS, franchise manager Debra McCabe points out that joint managing director Nik Agar was just 17 and full of enthusiasm when he set out to launch in business. But he failed to secure a loan or premises until he set up in business with partner Don McCabe, 10 years his senior.  Working with a more experienced partner meant combining energy with business acumen and experience, she says.

CHIPS never rejects applicants purely on age or experience, Ms McCabe adds, though a strong work ethic is crucial - every franchisee needs to stand on their own two feet. "The young ones often bring the drive and the ideas, and the older ones bring experience, so they temper each other," she says.

It's a similar story at Oscar Pet Foods. "We benefit from a range of age groups within our network," says Janet Walmsley, Oscar Pet Food's franchise manager. "Combining the experience of the older generation with an input from our younger applicants helps us develop an all-round approach to our support package." And fresh faces often do brilliantly, she adds - at 24, north Devon franchisee Rory Cheetham is bringing endless energy to the franchise he funded with a bank loan and his own savings.

So while the average age of franchisees may be rising, the young and enthusiastic can still use the tried-and-tested formula that is franchising to start their own strong business, with family backing or outside investment.

And while employers still favour the under-50s, a turbulent jobs market could be just the push that older people need to make the leap and use all that experience to build their own successful franchise.

Maureen Hyndman

At an age when most women are looking towards retirement, Maureen Hyndman was thinking of her next business opportunity. She spotted an advertisement for Rosemary Conley franchisees, and it changed her life.

She started as the health and fitness club's Melton Mowbray and Rutland franchisee in April 2007, and has never looked back. While some might have worried about their fitness levels, Ms Hyndman - who turned 60 in September - has found that raised activity levels and running all her classes has kept her fit and healthy. She has not had a day off yet.

Her previous career as a credit manager left her with the communication skills she needs to make a real success of the business. "People skills are crucial in this business. But that's not hard, because I look around and see so many lovely people around me," she says.

Some callers worry about their age, and whether they would manage a class, but Ms Hyndman is quick to reassure them that she manages very well. And while becoming a franchisee is a steep learning curve, other franchisees are generous with their advice on overcoming glitches.

"I simply love it," she says. "And I couldn't imagine retiring and doing nothing all day long. I've promised myself that I'll review it when I reach 65, but in the meantime I couldn't imagine anything better. To anyone else my age and who is wondering whether they could do it too, I'd simply say - go for it."

Kem Galbraith

Australian-born Kem Galbraith had always wanted his own franchise, but it took him years to find the right one. After time in the Army, he trained in a copy shop while he waited for his own franchise opportunity there.

When none became available, he opted for a US-based franchisor, which soon went bankrupt, leaving the more enterprising of the franchisees to go it alone for the next 18 years. By his late 50s, he was bored and looking for a change when he heard of X-Press Legal Services.

"I had my own blueprint, but for ages couldn't find anything I wanted to do," says Mr Galbraith, 63. "Then I read about X-Press, which instantly appealed to me. It offered a good return on my investment, and there is plenty of variety in the work."

He has never looked back. Customers in his previous business had told him that he scored on good customer service and reliability, and he brought those qualities to his X-Press Bournemouth franchise. "My attitude is that if there's a problem, I'll fix it."

And even with a stepson now showing interest, he has no plans to retire just yet. "I'll give it at least another few years, because I feel pretty energetic and I enjoy what I do," he says. "It took a long time to find X-Press, but it suits me perfectly and I have no plans to move on."

Ant Meehan

Getting a toehold in franchising was hard work for Ant Meehan - some franchisors refused to take him seriously. Even at 26, he finds that customers walk into his Ormskirk CHIPS games store and ask him if they might speak to the owner. But he has actually been joint franchisee with his father, Michael, for two years.

With a marketing and computing degree from a local university, he returned to his old stamping ground and a student market he knew very well. He had worked in games stores since he was 16, and knew it was what he wanted to do.

Persuading his father to put up the funding was a different matter, though. "He's pretty cautious, and wouldn't part with a penny until we'd done a year's research," he says. Though his father now takes a back seat, leaving the day-to-day running of the store to Ant, he still makes sure the accounts are kept straight.

"Games are my passion," he says. "But I always shied away from opening my own games store because I thought it would be too difficult without support." He found that support in an established franchisor, and network of existing franchisees, many much older.

"Younger people bring a lot of enthusiasm to franchising," he believes. "And this is perfect, because I've grown up with games and with this market. I love it - I've worked with games for 10 years now, and since I haven't got bored yet, I don't think I ever will."

Alexa Young

A stint working in her local Job Centre before university gave Alexa Young an insight into how the other half lives. "It showed me exactly where I didn't want to end up - working in a dead end job or not being able to find one at all. I also used to sign on plenty of graduates who couldn't find employment, which made me realise that you need to come out of university with more than just a degree."

The 26-year-old's own good degree, and strong track record of holiday work, helped her find a railways job where she was rapidly promoted. As a high flier and continually on the move, she wanted to return to her native Beverley, Yorkshire, but while keeping the flexibility and good salary.

So a franchise with ORCA, which designs websites for small and medium sized businesses, was ideal - she used her own savings and capital raised when she sold her property to downsize, and worked closely with the franchisor to build a customer base.

Happy customers keep her motivated. "Financial motivations are also good," she admits. "When I'm earning as much as I was in my previous job and working half the hours, that will be a good feeling." Then she plans to start recruiting staff to grow the business further, as part of a franchise she can grow over the years with her enthusiasm, drive and hard-won business experience.