Franchise Resales: Why taking over an established business is the smart route to success

Starting a business from scratch can be daunting. That’s why more entrepreneurs are opting for the smarter alternative of investing in a franchise resale, where brand reputation, loyal customers, and immediate earning potential are already in place.

Ovenu, the UK’s largest oven cleaning franchise, has seen first-hand how franchise resales offer a faster, low-risk pathway to business ownership, and several of its new recruits are great examples of that.

Rik Hellewell, founder and managing director of Ovenu, said: “Franchise resales provide momentum from day one, giving new franchisees a major head start, while preserving the legacy and goodwill built up over several years by outgoing franchisees.

“At Ovenu, we see every resale as a continuation of a success story. Our network thrives on continuity, helping maintain our high standards and upholding those all-important client relationships.”

From Estate Agent to Entrepreneur: Ovenu Warrington

Having spent more than 12 years in the property industry, Andy Phillips took over Ovenu Warrington, a long-established territory operated by Paul and Andrea Clark for more than 15 years.

“I didn’t want to start from zero. Investing in a resale meant stepping into a business with momentum. The Ovenu name was already very well-known, so I could focus on growing the business rather than building awareness.” 
Andy Phillips

Within days of completing his induction training, Andy had almost £3,000 in advance bookings, clear evidence of the value of an established brand and loyal customer base.

A Career Refresh in Guernsey

In the Channel Islands, Karl Langford made the move from cleaning carpets to cookers, taking over Ovenu Guernsey from Chris Robilliard, who retired after more than two decades.

What made the transition even smoother was Chris’s decision to stay on as an oven technician for several months, sharing his knowledge and experience.

“One of the biggest advantages of a resale is continuity. Taking over an established franchise meant I really did hit the ground running. I had instant credibility as well as a very healthy order book of repeat customers.” 
Karl Langford

A New Chapter in Salisbury

In Salisbury, Hubert Pelletrat has also discovered how a franchise resale smooths the way to a life of rewarding self-employment.

After years in the wholesale seafood industry, he was ready to be his own boss, and he seized the opportunity to take over Ovenu Salisbury from Sacha Bollhalder, who retired due to ill health.

“The beauty of taking over an existing franchise is confidence. You can see the results for yourself which gives you a great amount of reassurance.” 
Hubert Pelletrat

Rik Hellewell adds: “These examples highlight why franchise resales present such an attractive route into business ownership. They give people the confidence to take over a well-established operation and make it their own, while ensuring clients continue to receive the same high level of service they’ve come to expect from Ovenu.”