A busy year for innovation and the birth of new concepts, 2019 follows on from 2018, when the number of networks rolling out exceeded the 2,000-brand mark for the first time. To help you find your way around and choose the concept with the best chances of success, we offer you a short flashback to the franchises that have won awards over the last 12 months...
Les Révélations de la Franchise 2019
The "Révélations de la Franchise" competition has become a not-to-be-missed event over the years, with the aim of highlighting concepts that are still in their start-up phase, at least in the franchise sector.
This competition is organized jointly by the Fédération Française de la Franchise and its College of Experts, and Reed Expositions France, organizer of the world-class event dedicated to networked commerce, Franchise Expo Paris. The Franchise Expo Paris show is also the venue for the awards ceremony, which takes place every March.
In 2019, the big winner was Wok to Walk, which offers a cheap and healthy alternative to mass-market Asian catering. Nadège Robin, founder and CEO, has high deployment ambitions for the brand, as she told us in this interview:
Two other concepts were in the running and deserve a mention, as they emerged from an initial list of dozens of networks.
The first is L'Alsacien, a convivial flammkueches bar with two popular locations in Paris (4th arrondissement) and Besançon.
Another promising brand, Cuisines Venidom, was also singled out for its original positioning: the brand offers franchisees a truck-store selling kitchens. This makes it possible to reach people who are far from the big cities and their showrooms, as Maxime Gérard, the company's founder and director, told us:
The 2020 competition is waiting for candidates. You can find all the information you need about how to enter on the dedicated website
Les Coups de Cœur de l'Express 2019
Also awarded at the Franchise Expo Paris trade show, the Coups de Cœur de l'Express awards focus on established concepts, highlighting their achievements in specific areas.
This year, five of them had the honor of receiving an award from the prestigious magazine.
To begin with, Eléphant Bleu was awarded the prize for Sustainability and Growth. A logical step for the well-known concept specializing in high-pressure cleaning, which has hundreds of locations and is by far the leader in its sector.
The jury then turned its attention to services, and singled out Aquila RH in the Participative Network category. This is hardly surprising, given the way in which the company's managers involve their franchisees in all strategic decisions, through regular meetings, dedicated committees and feedback by telephone or e-mail.
The New Concept prize went to Bye Bye Nits, which distributes specialized lice treatment centers across the country, using an exclusive technique that has proven its effectiveness.
A major name in pools and spas, not only in France but also abroad, Piscines Desjoyaux won the Export Strategy award, which comes as no surprise. The brand is present in over 80 countries worldwide!
Last but not least, the "Coup de Coeur" for the "Enseigne Etrangère" in France was awarded to Tom&Co. The brand has dozens of pet specialty stores in Belgium, and has been operating successfully in France for several years.
We recently interviewed one of the franchisees, who runs the Coignières unit in the Paris region:
Les Rubans de la Franchise 2019
Awarded only every two years, this year's Rubans de la Franchise were particularly emotional, as they provided an opportunity to thank and salute Chantal Zimmer, the organization's Managing Director for over 20 years, who is stepping down from her post at the end of the year.
But above all, the Ceremony was an opportunity to highlight the many players in the network business.
To begin with, 10 franchisees had the pleasure of receiving a Silver Ribbon, from the O² Care Services
- (Thierry Beaucousin), Babychou Services
- (Sophie Aimée Lorain-Gangnon), Mondial Tissus
- (Delphine Picarra), Ucar
- (Anthony Moreau), Michel Simond
- (Lucas Fattori), Daniel Moquet Signe Vos Allées
- (Christophe Jouin), Yves Rocher
- (Sualika Huré-Gouley), APEF
- (Olivier Muller), Mikit
- (Joel Ranque) and Cavavin (Alain Le May).
Source: Franchise Observatory
