The franchises meeting the demand for sustainability

These three brands offer attractive eco-friendly investment opportunities

The demand for sustainability continues to grow. As natural disasters such as the bushfires in Australia have highlighted, the devastation caused by global warming is becoming impossible to ignore.

Currently, 27 per cent of Britons cite the environment in their top three issues facing the country and are therefore playing an active part in changing behaviours for a more sustainable future.

However, businesses are struggling to satisfy the population’s desire for sustainable, green products and services.

A recent study found that UK businesses are spending £2 million on ‘greenefying’ their products to meet this demand. The same study also found that meeting consumer expectations around environmentalism tops the list of challenges faced by British corporations.

So it’s no surprise that business models that cite sustainability as their USP are becoming increasingly attractive investment opportunities.

Specialising in the sale of e-bikes

Garry Hunt, director of Right Bike, a bike retailer that specialises in the sale of e-bikes, expects the British public’s interest in environmental issues to continue.

“Consumers are savvy, but their buying decisions aren’t purely governed by costing and convenience,” he says.

“Right Bike has been trading for 15 years, but I’ve noticed a considerable increase in customer footfall over the last two-three years. This falls in line with the increased media interest in sustainability, as people are looking for more eco-friendly ways to travel.

“This year, we launch our franchise opportunity to prospective business owners as the demand from our customers continues to grow.

“Prospective entrepreneurs will instantly gain from investing in a business that fulfils this demand and, unlike other business-to-consumer enterprises, won’t have to concern themselves with the costly implications of going green later down the line.”

Electric vehicle business

Like Garry, Maxim Ben Chaouch, co-owner of electric vehicle specialist UrbanApe, has capitalised on the increasing need for environmentally conscious travel providers.

With the government set to legalise scooters on public highways this year as part of a push to promote greener transportation, the franchise is set to begin expansion into the UK in 2020.

“We first launched our e-vehicle rental company in Majorca in 2018 to fulfil the demand for e-bike and e-scooter rental,” Maxim says. “Many of our British customers explained the need for our services in cities around the UK, so we’re expanding to fulfil this requirement.

“All our existing franchises are based in busy, cosmopolitan cities around Europe and these cities have one thing in common - a problem with air pollution due to traffic density.

“UrbanApe wants to be the change in these toxic pollution levels by getting people out of their cars and into the open air. Plus we like to think there’s a kid in every one of us - what better way to see a city than on an electronic scooter or bike?

“Our commitment to maintaining our environment has been on our agenda since day one, so we’re looking for prospective entrepreneurs who share our belief in the importance of sustainability.”

Taxi service with zero emissions

Zero emission electric taxi service Go Zero, which launched in the UK in March 2017, prides itself on offering a safe, reliable and affordable service for all.

Paul Buckingham joined the company’s growing franchise network in September 2019 and can vouch for the popularity of eco-friendly investment opportunities in the franchising sector.

“I’ve spent my entire career behind the wheel of a car, so have always been aware of my environmental footprint,” he says.

“I previously spent 35 years with the police force, first working in the road policing unit before moving into diplomatic and royal protection.

“I felt so passionately about the ethical culture of Go Zero that I came out of retirement to start my franchise. Go Zero is one of the first fully electric taxi services in the UK and I’m proud to say I was one of the first franchisees.

“For me, it appealed because the sustainability aspect is consistent. Franchisees exclusively drive fully electric, zero emission vehicles, but all vehicles are also charged using only 100 per cent renewable energy sources. This commitment is what makes Go Zero stand out from the crowd.

“It’s unrealistic to assume that car travel is a thing of the past, but making the right decisions now can make all the difference for the next generation.

“I take a lot of satisfaction from knowing that I’m part of a change that’s needed and my business is prepared for the day those changes will become compulsory.”

The demand for sustainable products and services isn’t a fad or craze - it’s a fundamental need for the survival of our planet.

Get ahead of the curve by exploring these sustainable brands at the International Franchise Show on April 3-4, which is hosting over 200 franchise opportunities at ExCeL London.

Visit thefranchiseshow.co.uk to register for the event for free. Follow @FranchiseShowUK on Twitter.