Car Hire franchises in the UK

The car hire and leasing sectors are thriving thanks to several trends that are likely to persist.

Larger operators are best placed to capitalise, making car hire franchises the best – or maybe the only – route in for aspiring entrepreneurs of ordinary means.

Sector overview

• The care hire industry is worth £16.6bn, growing 7.4% annually.
• There is plenty of repeat business, especially with leasing in this sector.
• High barriers to entry make buying a franchise your best path to business ownership.
• A reputable franchisor should generate leads from day one and provide systems and support to simplify your day-to-day role.
• Sales and marketing skills often a requirement.

The rapid depreciation in car values makes leasing new cars an attractive alternative to outright ownership. There’s plenty of repeat business in car leasing, with two, three or four-year lease terms often renewed multiple times.

Growing numbers have been put off by vehicle ownership altogether by the rising costs – particularly in London – and simply hire vehicles for one-off purposes instead.

Increasing revenues will help offset the rising costs of fleet investment, which has seen major operators – including franchises – muscle into the hire segment.

The three most vital factors for success cited by IBISWorld are switching to low emission vehicles, prompt delivery to market and access to secure revenue.

Is a car hire franchise for me?

Here are some attributes car hire and lease franchises typically want in their franchisees:

• Interest and some knowledge in cars – although an automotive background isn’t always required
• Customer service and communication skills
• Managerial and/or sales and marketing mindset – possibly experience too
• Numeracy, with a background in finance possibly helpful
• Competence in using computer systems
• Full, clean driving licence

Other qualities favoured by various franchise systems include being “dynamic”, “commercially minded” or a “hard worker”, having a “can-do approach” or “entrepreneurial spirit”, and being a “proven motivator of people”

The structure of car hire franchises

Usually well established with a network of sites around the UK, car hire franchises have the financial muscle to maintain large, modern fleets and the economies of scale to offer competitive deals.

Your own marketing efforts will be complemented by the franchisor’s national campaigns and strong online presence. You’ll be given an exclusive area and receive leads and enquiries within your territory from day one.

The franchisor should help you secure funding and a suitable site, assist with fit-out and advise you on building your fleet.

They’ll likely have their own, bespoke computer systems to simplify management of your fleet, leads, accounts and so on. You may get your own microsite that you can optimise according to the services offered by your branch.

By simplifying your day-to-day role, the support gives you more time to concentrate on securing new business and providing an exceptional service.

Your role might also include handling leads, creating quotes and hire/lease agreements, protecting personal data and fleet management. Your marketing campaigns might include a mix of online marketing, e-shots, direct sales, direct mail and cold calling.