He built a Countrywide Signs franchise from scratch. Now he wants to help you do the same

Investing in a franchise is one of the biggest decisions you will ever make. Get it right, and it can change your life for the better in so many ways, but it’s certainly not an easy call.

So… whose opinion can you rely on the most when you’re weighing it up? Probably someone who has been exactly where you are now, gone on to build their own franchise using the same model you are considering, and understands from personal experience what it actually takes to build something of your own.

Meet Martin Attwood – Franchise Recruitment Manager

Martin was one of the original Countrywide Signs franchisees, joining in his early 20s and building the business up from nothing to a 5-van operation over the subsequent 16 years.

When he was offered a place in the head office team, he began to sell off his territories to new franchisees so he could focus on his new role of supporting others to achieve the same success he had. Over the next 7 years, he worked across almost every part of the business from franchise recruitment to operations and national accounts before leaving for personal reasons in 2019.

Late last year, however, he was contacted by Countrywide Signs’ new Managing Director, Tony Williams, also a franchisee himself before buying the business. Tony was seeking some advice from Martin about certain aspects of franchise recruitment, and the two of them hit it off straight away. With no original plans to return, Martin soon found his interest and enthusiasm for the business was rekindled under Tony’s new leadership, and he was invited back to take on this new role.

Martin had this message to deliver to anyone taking an interest in the franchise:

"We are taking a fresh look at everything - not rewriting the book, but reviewing the whole process and making sure we use what Tony and I have learned from our own time as franchisees to make this opportunity always live up to its incredible potential.

"We know exactly what it’s like to start a business with Countrywide Signs, what it is like on day one hundred, and what it is like on day three hundred and sixty-five. We have built this business ourselves, and we know how to help you do the same. If you are someone with the ambition to grow something real, I would genuinely love to talk to you."

Why this matters to you

Martin has lived through every possible stage of being a Countrywide Signs franchisee - from a standing start, through the process of building something real, all the way to a successful exit. There’s no-one better to share with you exactly what your day-to-day experience will be like, and how you can use the business model to create your own future.

Once you’ve had an initial call with me, asked any questions you have, and decided you’re ready to look into this opportunity further, Martin becomes part of the conversation from there onwards – including when you come to visit a working Countrywide Signs business in person. By the time you sit down together, you will be speaking to someone who has done every part of this himself, and that makes for a very different kind of discussion to the one most prospective franchisee’s ever get to have.

And that's just the beginning - you'll have access to Martin's experience and expertise throughout your partnership with Countrywide Signs should you decide to join. He will be the person who trains you, guides you through onboarding, and helps you get your business off to the right start. As you find your feet and begin to grow, he will be there throughout that process too - not just for the first few months, but for the long term.