Craig Brown, managing director of sign-making franchise company Signs Express, was among the attendees at a meeting with 30 UK MPs recently, at which the issue of franchising and its economic impact was discussed.

The British Franchise Association (bfa), which organised the event at the Houses of Parliament on October 31st, stresses that 'ethical' franchising can create jobs and boost business start-up rates. Its director general Brian Smart comments: "We have been delighted by the positive response from MPs at today's exchange. There is a real hunger by our MPs to capitalise on what is a sustainable, proven and low-risk option for many.

"Our goal now is to work with our MPs to help open up information and advice to many more people that may at the moment be struggling to know where to turn."

Smart adds: "Franchising is not for everyone, which is why most of our work is in educating those investigating franchising, either as individuals, or as businesses looking to adopt it as a growth model."

Signs Express cites the results of the NatWest bfa Franchise Survey, which found more than 90 percent of franchisees state their businesses are profitable.