Great fit

All sewn up

THE ZIP YARD HAS TAKEN A DIFFERENT APPROACH TO THE GARMENTS ALTERATION BUSINESS

The Zip Yard’s success has been built on the back of quality, speed, convenience and value - together with a network of hardworking franchise owners.

The market potential for this franchise is huge, and The Zip Yard expects all its centres to be profitable in the first year.

According to The Zip Yard, the clothing alteration business is not driven by the economy. When times are good more people buy new clothes that need altering to size, while when times are less good people get clothes altered or repaired to make them last longer.

However, people no longer have the time or skills to tackle even the simplest of hems, let alone risk damaging a favourite or expensive garment.

BRANDING

The Zip Yard has taken a different approach to the garments alteration business. Its highly visible, bold branding differentiates the company from its competitors. All centres are finished to the highest of standards and include state-of-the-art machinery, computer systems and, in most cases, seamstresses work in full view of the public so customers can see for themselves the high standard of workmanship.

The Zip Yard business model has been created, tested and developed to ensure you have the bestopportunity to be successful in the shortest period of time. Your investment delivers a fully operational and supported business, with trained staff and comprehensive marketing from day one. In addition, all centres are finished to a distinctive specification that makes them customer friendly, highly branded and very visible.

The franchise package costs up to £20,000, depending on the scale of the shop fit. There is a one-off licence cost of £15,000 and a training and project management fee of £5,000, which includes two weeks’ training, assistance with staff recruitment, project management of the shop fit and your marketing launch programme. With bank funding of at least £25,000 available, your own investment for the business would be £15,000 or less.

Successful franchise owners will be ambitious to run their own business, customer driven, well organised and keen to follow a proven business system. You do not need to be familiar with repairs or alterations and the company is not looking for tailors or tailoresses.

BIG SUCCESS

Juliet O’Connell, 30, opened her Zip Yard franchise on November 30, 2009 in Dun Laoghaire, Dublin and now employs three full-time tailors and one part-time front of house staff member.

Originally from Cork, Juliet studied for a degree in business at Limerick University and then a masters degree in software design and development before moving to Dubai for over two years, where she taught at a primary school.

She explains: “A friend from university had set up a Zip Yard franchise in Limerick and it was doing really well. Then one day I was walking to work in Dublin and a Zip Yard had opened literally yards from my office. I thought: ‘That could have been mine’.”

Why The Zip Yard?

“I think the concept is compatible with the economic downturn. People have less disposable income, which makes them make the most of what they already have. For example, recently a lot of people have been bringing in ill-fitting clothes they bought as bargains in the January sales for us to tailor or alter.”

What was the training like?

“The training was excellent and very hands-on. You work in an existing Zip Yard franchise, learning all the processes and systems, so you understand every aspect of the business. Then when you’re ready to open your own shop, the training manager stays with you until you’re confident to manage alone.

“The support continues long after you’ve set up and there’s always someone available to offer advice if you need it. It’s also very helpful having a network of franchise owners to talk to and share ideas with.”

How is the business going?

“It’s a big success and we’ve exceeded all our projections. Our turnover has grown every month since we opened and we have more staff than we expected. I love being the decision maker and I get excited about the potential the business has to grow. The staff are loyal and we have a great team. The customers are happy and we get lots of positive feedback, so I’m very motivated.”

Would you recommend The Zip Yard to potential franchisees?

“Absolutely. You have to be willing to put in a great deal of time and effort, especially at the beginning, but the rewards are well worth it. It’s a great business, a great franchise and a great fit for the economic climate we’re in. It’s good exposure having a high street presence and the brand has really grown. Everyone I meet has either used The Zip Yard or they’ve heard of it.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

For more information call Janet Matthews on 01530 513307 or email info@thezipyard.co.uk.

The Zip Yard is the fastest growing garments alt eration franchise in the UK and Ireland

The Zip Yard’s success has been built on the back of quality, speed, convenience and value - together with a network of hardworking franchise owners. The market potential for this franchise is huge, and The Zip Yard expects all its centres to be profitable in the first year. According to The Zip Yard, the clothing alteration business is not driven by the economy. When times are good more people buy new clothes that need altering to size, while when times are less good people get clothes altered or repaired to make them last longer. However, people no longer have the time or skills to tackle even the simplest of hems, let alone risk damaging a favourite or expensive garment.

Branding

The Zip Yard has taken a different approach to the garments alteration business. Its highly visible, bold branding differentiates the company from its competitors. All centres are finished to the highest of standards and include state-of-theart machinery, computer systems and, in most cases, seamstresses work in full view of the public so customers can see for themselves the high standard of workmanship.

The Zip Yard business model has been created, tested and developed to ensure you have the best opportunity to be successful in the shortest period of time. Your investment delivers a fully operational and supported business, with trained staff and comprehensive marketing from day one. In addition, all centres are finished to a distinctive specification that makes them customer friendly, highly branded and very visible.

Highly visible

The Zip Yard’s success has been built on the back of quality, speed, convenience and value - together with a network of hardworking franchise owners.

The company expects all its centres to be profitable in the first year of trading and, interestingly, claims the clothing alteration business is not economy driven. When times are good, more and more people buy new clothes that need altering to size, while when times are less good people get clothes altered or repaired in order to make them last longer. In todayfs world people donft have the time or skill to tackle even the simplest of hems, let alone risk damaging a favourite or expensive garment.

BRANDING

The Zip Yard has taken a different approach to the garments alteration business. Its bold branding separates the company from its competitors and helps The Zip Yard to dominate in the high street. All centres are finished to the highest of standards and include state of the art machinery, computer systems and, in most cases, seamstresses work in full view of the public so customers can see for themselves the high standard of workmanship.

The Zip Yard centres are finished to a distinctive specification. Experience to date suggests that a unit of approximately 750sq ft costs in the region of ’20,000* to fit out (one-off licence fee is ’15,000), which will include:

• Two industrial sewing machines.

• One blind hemmer.

• One over locker.

• One button holer.

• One ironing station.

• One computer.

• A bespoke till and software package.

• External and internal signage, fitting room, counters, flooring, fixtures and fittings.

• Opening stock.

• Corporate branding.

Training and project management costs ’5,000 and includes two weeksf on-site training, assistance in staff recruitment, management of shop fit and training reviews. With bank funding of at least ’25,000 available, your own investment for the business would be ’15,000 or less.

SUPPORTED

Your investment gives you a fully operational and supported business, with trained staff and comprehensive marketing activity from day one. In addition, The Zip Yard is always on-hand with help and advice, ongoing training and product development.

The business is owned and operated by a very experienced franchise team, who also run Recognition Express, which has been in business for over 30 years and is a British Franchise Association Franchise of the Year winner, and ComputerXplorers, the worldfs largest education franchise.

All franchise owners complete a comprehensive two-week induction programme that covers business practices, computer systems, running a centre, marketing and promotions, recruitment and counter sales. Training is part classroom-based and part in-centre, providing true hands-on experience.

Franchise owners are expected to at least meet - if not surpass - The Zip Yardfs benchmark of ’100,000 turnover in their first year. The company is looking for prospective franchise owners who are dedicated, passionate, focused and hardworking. You do not need to be familiar with repairs or alternations, and the company is not looking for tailors or tailoresses. Successful candidates will be ambitious to run their own business, customer driven, well organised and keen to follow a proven business system.

You do not need to have a background in the garment alterations industry, as full training will be provided. Furthermore, The Zip Yard will assist with finding the right premises in the best location, and recruiting and training staff.

The company’s business ethos is based on the principles of excellent and responsive customer service, quick turnaround, quality materials and staff loyalty, augmented by efficient and proven business systems, marketing and promotional collateral, and ongoing in-centre support.

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