The UK business confirmed it has acquired Cartridge World France and now has the rights of Master Franchise for France, Spain and Portugal.
AC Franchise (French) reported that the expansion into continental Europe offers huge opportunities, and both CEO Paul Callow and COO David Almond determined planned partnerships with strategic suppliers. They have also achieved the “exclusive retail rights” to the range of A4 printers and UTAX MFPs, as well as warranty services on printers from HP Inc, a promise of rebates on some select Canon models, and discounts on direct sales.
The company reported in November last year that the franchise had acquired the master franchise rights for France, Spain and Portugal, with this latest development a completion of the deal. The retailer said that this would be “effective from 1 December”, and that the development will “grow the network of Cartridge World franchisees” that are stewarded by Callow and Almand to around 200 stores, which will meant a combined revenue of around €30 million ($31.9 million).
Callow said that “this expansion in continental Europe offers tremendous opportunities to our current and future franchises”, while Rod Young, Global CEO of Cartridge World, said that the enterprise “allows incredible savings and provides reassuring reliability of our products for business and residential customers who have needs of impressions”.
Cartridge World France was launched in 2003 by Englishman David Parkinson, who explained in 2004: “The French market has always interested us but despite the expertise demonstrated by our rapid and significant success in the UK, we were aware of our need to succeed in France, but we did not know the right people, the media, etc. in short, we had to find a French partner.
“Jean Samper, his partner Philippe Dassié and the AC Franchise team helped us [with] analysis, adaptation, structure, recruitment. Today, 12 months later, March 29, 2004, we [are] already opening the 12th store in France and we have 20 reservations for other stores to open. So, to all those who say that the French market is different from the British market, I confirm that it is true.
“But I can also tell them that if a good English franchisor gets help from good French professionals in the franchise, nothing is impossible.”