Make a break – there's muffin to it

IF YOU want to enjoy the sweet taste of success and be your own boss, you could do both with Muffin Break. The bakery café opened its first store in Queensland, Australia in 1989 and now has 50 outlets in the UK, on top of the 250 in its native land.

With opportunities available for outlets in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dunfermline, Dumfries and Inverness, now is the perfect time to swap your briefcase for an apron and take control of your working life.

Opening a Muffin Break franchise is the ideal way to set up your own business, safe in the knowledge that you are backed by a company with a proven international track record.

In 2004, Kareen Nicoll (50) did just that, and now she owns two Muffin Break franchises alongside business partner Gillian Reid (45) and silent partner Stewart Nicoll (55).

Kareen said: "When setting up a franchise, do your homework, double check the facts and remember there is no such thing as a daft question. We did extensive research into Muffin Break and its parent company Foodco and we just loved their upbeat attitude. Nothing was a problem to them. After meeting with them and speaking to their other franchisees, we took a leap of faith and have never looked back."

With over 26 years' experience in local government, opening a catering franchise was a quantum leap for both Kareen and Gillian as neither had worked in the sector before.

Although the world of franchising seemed daunting at first, Muffin Break ensured the transition from working for the boss to actually being the boss was easy.

The partnership opened its first store in 2004 in East Kilbride Shopping Centre and, following great success, they opened a second outlet in Paisley just two years later, and now employ a total of 24 staff.

Kareen said: "I knew that if we opened up a Muffin Break franchise there was less chance of failure because there was a full support structure in place, which was crucial because we didn't have a catering background. The training we received, from learning how to make muffins from scratch to how to run a franchise successfully, was second to none, and proved to us we had made the right choice."

Unlike many global corporations, Muffin Break has retained its core values as it has expanded, operating very much like a family business where the success and well-being of its franchisees are paramount.

Extensive research and negotiations are undertaken by the company to ensure that each new franchise opens in the right location to ensure maximum returns.

The company also takes care of the more tricky elements of setting up – including negotiating a lease, and designing and building the store. It also provides full training and once the franchise opens, it constantly monitors each outlet's progress to head off any problems.

Mike Arbuckle, franchise managing director, Muffin Break UK, said: "Muffin Break is a true partnership because the success of our franchisees is our success. We provide ongoing support and constantly monitor each store because we want our franchisees to enjoy their work and keep learning. That's the key to success."

To find out more, visit www.muffinbreak.co.uk