
A quick search of the internet for business opportunities within the
transport sector turns up a unique and unusual opportunity to get into
the limousine hire business, but not as an independent, as part of the
largest franchise in the UK. Anyone that loves there cars, can't fail to
be impressed by the American stretched limousines that line our town
centres on a Friday or Saturday night, but a quick look at their
limousine franchise website soon highlights the fact that it can be a
daunting task to do it on your own.
The Limousine Franchise is owned and operated by Cars for Stars Limited,
an award winning company based in the UK offering franchises for
limousine hire and chauffeur driven cars. Without doubt, one of the
major benefits of the franchise route, has to be the fact that the Cars
for Stars name is so well know, it is almost synonymous with the UK
limousine hire industry. They know that of course, and have taken the
opportunity to register the name 'Cars for Stars' in 25 European
countries, which must provide potential franchisees with some comfort.
Unlike
setting up your own business, where you have to think carefully about
coming up with a decent business identity, that is not used elsewhere,
(which of course is quite difficult with 6000 limo companies out there)
with Cars for Stars you have a name with real brand value from day one.
They also provide fully optimised, local websites, so there is no need
to worry about getting ripped off for a website design and that cash
pit, search engine optimisation. Cars for Stars also have special
commercial rates with a number of specialised limousine hire
directories, chauffeur cars directories and general directories,
providing ever more internet penetration. This probably explains why
they receive in excess of 6000 webform enquiries every single month.
Even if you are not going to receive 6000 enquiries a month for your
area, there is going to be a considerable number of enquiries to be
processed, and as Cars for Stars make clear, unless these are handled
quickly, the customer will just place their business elsewhere.
Therefore they have developed a bespoke software package that
semi-automates the process of responding to webform enquiries, allowing
the franchisee to select from a series of templates, dependant on the
type of vehicle being proposed and the event. Simple, but very
effective. They have also expanded this software dubbed CHET, to allow
for the quick retrieval of all enquiries, in order that any customer
quoting their reference number can book their chosen vehicle and receive
a PDF version of their booking for within less than 2 minutes.
With the introduction of tighter regulations for licensed operator of
chauffeur cars, the CHET system also provides a full record of the
service and repair history of each vehicle as well as issuing reminders
and screen prompts for licence renewals, vehicle excise duty and
insurance renewals. Enhancements on the system also allow franchisees to
provide chauffeurs will a detailed itinerary as well as providing them
with a summary screen and search facility for hires. The CHET system is
not a financial or accounts package, but it has been designed to aid the
franchisees in the 'back office' management of their businesses,
allowing them more time to spend with the customers.

For those new to the limousine business, the advice and support provided
by the franchisor in the early days has to be worth its weight in gold.
Particularly in relation to providing advice on the type of limousines
to purchase, what to look for and avoid, as well as knowing what the
'local' customers want from their limousine company. Another aspect of
the limousine industry is the recent change in the rules, regarding
limousine companies to licence their business, vehicles and chauffeurs,
this is a potential minefield for new operators and the assistance
provided by the franchisee during the process can save hundreds of hours
of time and potentially thousands of pounds.
Once the business is off the ground, the internet enquiries and coming
through and the phones ringing, a franchise truly comes in to its own as
the franchisor and franchisees work together to build the business,
assisting one another through the peaks and troughs, as well as
supporting each other during unexpected mishaps such as vehicle
breakdowns. Looking at the relative complexity of setting up a new
limousine business, not forgetting the investment required in terms of
limousines, it is difficult to see how anyone can fail to see the
relative benefits of being part of a much larger network. With the many
attendant benefits,
including
discounts from major suppliers, discounts and advice on the purchase of
limousines, a tried and tested bespoke software package, a massive
internet marketing programme together with local website and lead
generation and above all a team all around you with similar interests
and a substantial brand.
Leaving the best till last, because Cars for Stars are very careful
about their selection process and the fact that they are driven by
sustainable success in terms of service and standing, rather than rapid
expansion of the network, there are still some very key areas up for
grabs. Some of the larger cities, will of course, require more capital
(for limousines) to take account of the potential, but for anyone with
the funds to invest, these could represent a very lucrative business
opportunity.
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