For some, investing in a franchise isn’t just about making a career change – it’s about achieving financial prosperity and creating a lasting legacy. Multi-unit franchising offers a unique pathway to quench this thirst. By owning multiple units, franchisees can cultivate an enduring mark through their business, characterised by strong brand presence, community influence and a foundation of financial freedom for future generations.

Here, Anthony Kent, who, alongside his family, runs five of our settings, discusses the benefits of multi-unit franchising and how you can leave a lasting legacy through your business.

As Operations Director and multi-unit franchisee for five Monkey Puzzle settings, we’re well versed in spinning many plates while ensuring the standards we’ve set across the board are maintained. Owning more than one franchise comes with a whole host of additional considerations – but also more than a few benefits!

Talent retention

In our industry, recruitment is an ongoing issue, so retaining staff is crucial and multi-unit franchising is a way to help solve the problem. Talented staff can progress into managerial positions across your portfolio – in some cases, they can even step up to more of a regional role where they can oversee elements of the operations across your network. Not only does this provide an unrivalled experience of the ongoings of your operation, but it fosters loyalty, motivation and a belief that hard work can lead to career progression.

We’re strong believers in developing our workforce. Championing development within our team by creating further management roles has not only helped us as we expanded but also makes working in our nurseries more attractive for potential staff due to the opportunity to progress their careers. Within our network, there are numerous examples of staff who have progressed up the ranks – our two area managers, for example, joined us as nursery practitioners.

Increased earning potential

When operating multiple locations, franchisees can serve a broader customer base. This can increase your profits but also act as a buffer against fluctuations in individual unit performance – reducing risk. If one of your units is underperforming, a second setting can subsidise the other for a period of time to ensure stability across your portfolio.

For us, having multiple nurseries has certainly provided the finances to lead a comfortable lifestyle. We’re a family business, so to have the resources to provide for us all is important. We’ve continued to grow for over a decade and thankfully we haven’t had to subsidise one of our settings from another. But we know if that situation were to arise, we would be reinforced by the franchise model and our multi-unit portfolio.

Operational efficiency

Experience in operating your first franchise builds a strong foundation for your second, and then any subsequent locations after that. With the knowledge of the processes and systems that work, you can duplicate these across your portfolio. This consistency improves your service and enhances your brand’s reputation.

One of the cornerstones of our success as multi-unit franchisees has been our portfolio-wide efficiency and consistency. We took what worked from our first setting into the second and quickly realised that what we were doing was successful. As we expanded to five settings, we implemented our processes and procedures across the rest of our nurseries – leading to several ‘outstanding’ Ofsted inspections. As a multi-unit franchisee, there was no log jam on activity – we could get straight to it and create the best possible experience in our nurseries.

A sound investment

We want our settings to be the centres of their communities. By taking advantage of the benefits of multi-unit franchising, you can leave a lasting legacy.

This goes deeper than just profit margins – it builds a network of successful businesses forming a positive impact for the communities they serve. A well-recognised and trusted brand not only drives your revenue but also embeds your businesses into the fabric of the community, creating a lasting positive impact.

The franchise model also allows for a seamless transition of your operations between generations, whether that is, like in our case, family members or employees who have vast experience of everything our business stands for. This continuity ensures that the business retains its values, culture and quality standards, preserving its reputation and service to customers for years to come. Furthermore, successful multi-unit portfolios provide an appealing investment if, or when, you decide to move on to new pastures – or to simply enjoy the slower pace of life that comes after years of success.

In our case, me, my brothers and our amazing management team, now run the show across our five settings under the guidance of our dad, Geoff. Dad had enjoyed a very successful corporate career with Coca-Cola, and he eventually retired a celebrated leader as Vice President of Sales in the UK. He saw Monkey Puzzle as a sound investment and an opportunity to put his experience to good use as he mentored me and my brothers to run operations as we do today. He is now enjoying his retirement but still checks in with us and offers his support when it’s needed.

As a family, we’re proud to be shaping the minds of the future, so having such a profound effect on children at an early age leaves a legacy in itself.