Two glamping franchise opportunities for landowners to ponder
Wigwam Holidays
0131 450 7126
www.wigwamholidays.com
Introduce the franchise opportunity: To come on-board, there is a one-off franchise fee, a minimum order of cabins and a commission taken on all bookings.
One of the key factors of the success of the Wigwam franchise is its emphasis on branding. The Wigwam brand is recognised in the glamping business sector as one of the most successful of its type, and franchisees receive all the benefits this brings.
A key to success is Wigwam Holidays marketing, which is carried out on a national and regional scale. All franchisees can expect support from the team and targeted promotion prior to site opening (and ongoing), with a package that includes:
- Assistance with planning and finance (additional costs may apply)
- Funding application assistance
- A Wigwam Holidays website, including online booking system
- Ongoing IT assistance
- Use of the Wigwam Holidays trademark, a recognised quality brand
- Geographical exclusivity
- Support from the Wigwam Holidays team to plan and launch your business
- Design and creation of printed literature
- Training seminars and annual conference
- Access to a supportive franchise network
- Social media support
- PR and marketing for the Wigwam brand
- A selection of Wigwam cabin types, including an en-suite option
What are you looking for in a franchisee? There isn’t a typical Wigwam Holidays franchisee, however aspects to take into consideration for a new site include location, site access and a dedication to great customer service. Many of our existing franchisees sought to diversify an existing business, for example landowners and farmers.
What can a franchisee expect? A Wigwam Holidays franchise offers a chance for owners to become part of one of the UK’s leading glamping accommodation brands, and the Wigwam Holidays franchise is just about to enter its fourth successful year.
The Wigwam Holidays franchise presents a business that’s ‘ready to go’. From the crucial early planning stages to sourcing funding; from making the Wigwam cabins from sustainable timber to on site cabin delivery; from a bespoke website to taking those all-important bookings. Wigwam Holidays franchisees get the complete business package.
Expected ROI: While no one size fits all, new franchisees can expect all that’s detailed above, in short a business that is ‘ready to go’. However one of the key points with Wigwam Holidays is bookings are taken in advance of the official opening date, making sure new sites have glamping guests ready to visit them.
Please detail a successful franchise: One of the our successful franchisees is Wigwam Holidays Crowtree, near Spalding in Lincolnshire.
Based on a traditional working farm, the site has nine Running Water Deluxe cabins and recently introduced hot tubs to some of its luxury cabins.
With two successful seasons under its belt, factors that have helped Crowtree to succeed include assistance with early planning applications, professional photography and video footage (available to all franchisees), and brand recognition.
Amber’s Bell Tent Camping
www.ambersbelltents.co.uk
07580 072861
Introduce the franchise opportunity: Amber’s Bell Tent Camping began six years ago in the beautiful grounds of Mannington Hall in North Norfolk. We started small with just two rustically furnished tents but quickly saw the demand for what we were offering and have expanded year on year. We now offer 16 tents across two stately home locations in North Norfolk with a third partner for 2018. We are currently seeking new partnerships through franchising to other land owners across the UK and beyond, giving them an accessible way to approach the glamping industry and create a sustainable revenue.
What are you looking for in a franchisee? We are looking for people who have access to land in areas of outstanding natural beauty, and who are excited about sharing the magic of their location. You need to enjoy dealing with a broad range of people, and be friendly and approachable. Hard working, of course, although with a franchise, a lot of the hard work has already been done for you. An essential is an eye and mind for detail. This business is all about the little things. We want to work with people who believe in offering something truly special and have the determination to succeed on this adventure.
What can a franchisee expect? First up, we will come and see your space and offer our expertise on site suitability, design and management. Once we’re both agreed that this partnership is mutually beneficial, we need to get the word out. To get the ball rolling, we will design your own pages on our highly successful website – with new pages for each franchise location. You will have access to our live booking calendar, which will enable you to keep a check on all the bookings so you can easily organise things ready for your guests. We will then actively begin to seek press attention for your site using our contacts. Alongside this, we will begin to market your site through our social media and marketing streams.
All your kit will be delivered to your door. We will send you all you need for your tents, inside and out, all sourced with our expertise and with trade discounts passed onto new partners. We will then host a two day training course either at your place or ours, which will teach you all you need to know in the logistics of running a glampsite. Use our expertise to swerve the usual headaches of running an outdoor hospitality business.
Expected ROI: Taken from a three year profit and loss forecast in summary, based on a set up of six tents over a full season (Easter to October).
Year 1 Summary:
Set up – £27,956,
Sales – £77,064
Costs – £30,115
Profit – £18,993
Year 2 Summary:
Set up – £4,546
Sales – £94,897
Costs – £31,040
Profit – £59,311
Year 3 Summary:
Set up – £1,738
Sales – £103,682
Costs – £32,050
Profit – £69,894
Please detail a successful franchise: The success of the launch of our second partnership with Wiveton Hall in 2016 was really when the penny dropped and we started to appreciate the scope for franchising this business. We took what we had learnt from the three years trading at Mannington Hall and effectively duplicated it at the new site. We opened the calendars for bookings in the January, and achieved the same booking capacity from year three at Mannington in our first season.
