Bap, the four-strong sandwich chain, has launched a franchise to extend its estate across the UK and Ireland, M&C has learnt.
The group, headed up by Dominic Richards, is in talks to sell master franchise rights to grow the estate away from its north west heartland.
Richards said the group is in talks with three parties currently interested in acquiring master franchise rights to regions of the UK that could contain up to 100 Bap units as well as c.10 individual franchisees.
Bap is working with agents across the UK to secure premises for franchisees in cities and secondary towns.He said locations are reliant on footfall but work equally well in city centres as smaller towns with a population in excess of 25,000.
Bap opened in Altrincham, south Yorkshire, in 2005 and was bought by Richards in 2012 to franchise the concept and established the first franchise store in Wigan in 2013 to prove the model.
It serves freshly made sandwiches throughout the day with strong breakfast and evening offerings as well as lunchtime - including a steady coffee trade.
Master franchisees are offered full training and support throughout the opening and has an established supply chain to service venues nationwide.
Richards believes there is no reason why the model could not grow significantly in the UK and Ireland.
“Within three months we will have another store and by the end of the year we could have another three or four,” Richards said.
