Hear from Frances Webster who set up the Norwich franchise of Kiddy Cook in April 2010:
"I set up the Norwich Franchise of Kiddy Cook in April 2010 and have been really pleased with how my business has grown and developed. I now run a business I am passionate about and am part of a brilliant franchise which gives me the comfort of a level of support.
I started the franchise while my family were very young (my daughter was under one and my son was two) and have been able work around them to develop it in a way that I wanted and to a level I had not planned or expected.
Kiddy Cook Norwich teaches an average of over 200 children a week during term time (and once a term an additional 240 pupils over a 2 week period for the Norfolk Food Discovery Project). Kiddy Cook Norwich is now a team of seven people (who run sessions for me on varying regularity) as I cannot possibly cope with the volume of work on my own.
Right from the outset I have been impressed with Nikki Geddes and the Kiddy Cook concept. Kiddy Cook is unlike any other children’s franchise businesses and it is this unique model which enables it to be successful.
One of the key factors I most like about the Kiddy Cook franchise is its model with the various components. But more importantly to me is the flexibility of the model and how each franchisee can tailor their offering to their own interests, skill-set and locality.
As with setting up any new business (particularly in the midst of a recession) success will come to those who put in the hours, network well, seek new opportunities, adapt to changing conditions and know how to channel their efforts to be most profitable.
The Kiddy Cook model allows the franchisees to develop their business how they want and is not over prescriptive with what you can and can’t do, which gives a unique opportunity. I can honestly say that I have never regretted for a moment setting up Kiddy Cook Norwich. Setting up a children’s cookery business after a career in investment banking was a huge leap of faith. But I can’t believe that I am nearly seven years in and what a great experience it has been on so many levels".
Emma Goldstraw runs her Kiddy Cook business in North Staffordshire.
Charlotte Carr has run her Kiddy Cook franchise in Leighton Buzzard since 2009.
Emma Lawn tells us what it is really like being a Kiddy Cook franchisee.
At the end of my first financial year I turned over £16,000. At the end of my fourth financial year (April 2014) I turned over approximately £50,000, which I am thrilled with.Frances Webster, Kiddy Cook Norwich
I would recommend it to anyone who is serious about making a success of their own business but is in need of a helping hand to get going.Charlotte Carr, Kiddy Cook Leighton Buzzard
DO IT, TAKE THE JUMP, ITS GREAT, very satisfying and actually fun!Emma Lawn, Kiddy Cook Harrogate
A structured franchise with the flexibility for franchisees to develop their business in a way that works for them
The only cooking franchise to offer an evidence based programme of school cookery workshops
Successful business model with the potential to build a financially rewarding business from varied income streams