SMART car bodywork repair network ChipsAway has reported its strongest quarter ever, with leads up almost 14 per cent compared to the same time last year. 

Between June and August, the company distributed over 81,000 leads to its network of 200 franchisees, equating to more than 400 leads per engineer. On an individual basis, the three months of the quarter have resulted in ChipsAway’s first, second and sixth best months in its 26-year history. 

The success comes following an aggressive new marketing campaign which, combined with the easing of lockdown restrictions, created an unprecedented increase in demand for ChipsAway services.

ChipsAway’s Marketing Director, Robin Auld said: “We were anticipating a record period in our company history following a very successful month in July, and are delighted that this surge in demand for our service continued throughout August to give us our best quarter ever. 

“Our aggressive marketing campaigns raised the profile of the brand just as lockdown restrictions were easing, which has resulted in us being able to provide our franchisees more leads for their businesses than ever before. We’re repeatedly told that one of the main reasons our franchisees work with us is that we provide so many new opportunities for them, so it has been fantastic to retain this key element of our support following the challenges lockdown presented.

“Meanwhile, we have seen an increase in enquiries for ChipsAway from people who’ve been made redundant and are thinking about becoming a franchisee. Recessions provide people the headspace to think about what they actually want from their career, and for many it will be the push they need into self-employment. For those who still want the reassurance of continual lead generation and the support of a head office function – which is important when the future looks so unclear – franchising bridges the gap perfectly.

“We welcome any budding entrepreneurs looking to branch out into franchising to get in contact because, following such a buoyant time for our business, the future really does look bright.”

ChipsAway was launched in the UK in 1994 and is a full member of the British Franchise Association. With a rapidly expanding network of over 200 Franchisees in the UK, ChipsAway International is the originator and dominant player in the rapidly growing SMART (Small to Medium Area Repair Technology) automotive repair market.