Frequently Asked Questions

• use of our recognised brand and logo
• Use of our successful systems and methods
• Access to our huge network of contacts
• Benefit from our media profile and promotion in the National/international press
• Central marketing, sales and accounting services (additional fee payable but cheaper and more effective than external services)
• Access to deliver services in your area for our existing national contracts – for advice, training, events, waste reuse network and sustainable product sales
• Help with acquiring premises and funding if needed
• Specialised training to start up, operate your business and to understand the market we work within (sustainable business, eco building and self sufficiency practises)
• ongoing support to operate your business sustainably
• central 0845 telephone number and answering service, website and printed promotional materials
• positive association with our organisation and partners
• discounted or free office furniture and equipment available from our reuse centre
• flexible business model that can be tailored to your own circumstances and the needs of your local community

Bricks and Bread is a multi faceted business do I have to operate the whole business? No, our license fee enables you to become an official point of contact for our business in your area.  We have divided the business into different parts these are available as either a whole operation or as separate options.  There are different aspects to the business

• Expert Advice
• Skills training
• Waste reuse
• Sustainable product sales
• Events management
• Sustainable/social enterprise business incubator

Do I need premises and work full time to be a franchisee? – No, the need for offices and premises is dependent on which parts of the Bricks and Bread business you want to set up, a warehouse is ultimately required for the waste reuse centre and office/conference space will be required to incubate businesses, run training courses or events.  However to become a franchisee and start up this business it is not immediately important that you have premises or work full time on the project.  With our network of contacts and contracts it is possible that depending on the area you are based within we may have partners, premises and experts locally who you can collaborate with.

What level of investor is a Bricks and Bread franchise attracting?

• Test the water level – people who think Bricks and Bread is a good idea and want to work for themselves but not sure what to do, don’t have the start up money, expertise or time to dedicate to this yet.  But can see the need for a green training skills, advice or waste reuse business in their local area.
• Incubator business – people with an existing business involved in sustainability or social enterprise that needs support to be a profitable/income generating.
• Collaboration partner– people who have an existing income generating business or a public sector organisation wanting our know-how, systems and contacts.
• Investor level - you have funds to invest for philanthropic reasons or want a financial gain and believe that Bricks and Bread offers a sustainable business model

How long does the license last for? – You can buy a 5 year or 10 year license

How much does it cost to start a franchise? There is a fee to pay to become the Bricks and Bread license holder, which is £5,000 a year.  Additional fees may apply depending on the structure and nature of the franchise you wish to operate.

What if I dont have any funding available to pay for the franchise license fee? Attitude, ambition and practical skills are the driving factors to success in this business.  As this company has become successful based on this formula we are open to allowing people with no funding to join our network of franchisees. Therefore lacking the necessary funds does not prevent you from obtaining a Bricks and Bread license providing that you can demonstrate that you have skills, knowledge and the determination to overcome this issue.  Terms can be negotiated that will return the license fee at a later date once funds or profit allows.

Can you help us find funding for the license fee and business operation? Yes, we have a proven track record and great contacts within the investment world who are keen to support our growth and are confident in our ability to return a profitable and socially beneficial business.

How long before I see a return from taking the license fee? This depends on the initial size and type of investment raised to establish your business, however we will work with each franchisee to help write your plans and project your financial returns.  We are confident that with our support and if you follow our systems a return on investment, or a profitable business can be established faster and with less risk.

Can I run the Bricks and Bread business model in collaboration with my existing business/social enterprise/public sector organisation? Yes you can, collaboration is welcomed and is the cornerstone of our business model, our license can fit alongside and compliment most business operations.  We of course reserve the right to verify any potential partners.

Can I buy the license to simply invest in for business reasons and reserve the Bricks and Bread model to benefit my local area for others to run? Yes, in this situation your license fee would enable others to get involved and run their own Bricks and Bread business, you can invest or secure the area and become a silent partner.  Depending on your reasons for wanting to do this we can help establish the business and operate it on your behalf, to either return you a profit for your investment or help make change happen in your local community.

Do I need to become a social enterprise to run the Bricks and Bread business? No, whilst we would prefer you set up a social enterprise in the format of a Community Interest Company (CIC) there are many formats of social enterprise, charity and public sector organisations that can fit our license agreement and business operations.  Despite this, you can choose to establish a standard Limited Company to operate a franchise that is investment led and purely profit driven.  In this case we will set terms in the agreement that ensure your operation returns community and social benefits to your local area – i.e. we would ask for a % of your events, advice sessions, training placements and enterprise support services to be subsidised by your profits.

Restrictions -

• Our logo must be used and displayed in compliance with our marketing terms.
• All products sold must be first verified centrally by our sustainable procurement team at head office
• Authorisation must be granted by us for any other partnerships the franchisee might undertake that will benefit by association with Bricks and Bread’s name or its premises
• The ethics and social benefits of the Bricks and Bread corporation must not be compromised

I am not an expert in sustainable business, eco building or social enterprise – can I still run your franchise? Yes you can – not only do we provide the training in the franchise fee that will help you understand the marketplace we work within, we will also ensure you have on going support tailored to your needs.  Our business is being a hub of experts who share our knowledge, this huge network and information base will be accessible to you and we will give you the systems and marketing tools to enable you to add to this network with your own experts and suppliers in your local area.

I have never run a business before – does this matter? No, part of our existing business is incubating new start up enterprises, so we have the ability to help you learn and support you in operating a company.  Also by becoming a franchisee you are buying the systems and know-how that will fast track you into running a business.

Can the license be terminated at any time? – If 3 months notice is given a franchisee can terminate the license, however there are certain legal ramifications, full information about this is given to all potential franchisees at the intro day.  Or if our franchisees break the terms of our contract with them and they do not retify the issue in a reasonable timescale then we can terminate the license.