Debonair Languages

About Debonair Languages

Debonair Languages is a second generation family company that opened for business in 2008 to provide translation, interpretation, transcription and transcreation services to a range of customers, including those working in the legal and medical sectors, as well as all types of businesses and members of the public.

Sri Lankan-born and a lover of languages, Mani Manivannan founded Debonair Languages and today his son, Paul, is managing director of the company.

Due to the number of customers in need of its services, Debonair Languages launched its franchise in December 2018.

The company currently has approximately 2,500 linguists on its books who can translate over 450 languages, including those that are classified as ‘rare’.

The business has demonstrated its robustness, having launched and grown during the credit crunch and recession of the late 2000s.

How does the Debonair Languages franchise model work?

Describing itself as a ‘brokerage’, the role of a Debonair Languages franchisee is to manage and market the business, while overseeing the delivery of the company’s services across a variety of sectors.

Franchisees operate their businesses from a home office initially, meaning overheads are kept to a minimum and profits are maximised. Working hours, according to Debonair Languages, are flexible.

Debonair Languages wants to recruit franchisees who have the ability to scale their franchise into a management business in due course, who can demonstrate commercial awareness and can deal with all types of people from many different backgrounds.

Franchisees do not need to be multilingual, but must be a resident in the geographical area they wish to trade in.

Linguists, who go through a tried-and-tested vetting procedure before working for Debonair Languages, are employed by the company on a self-employed basis.

The company’s franchise system has been devised by Lime Licensing Group, a franchise consultancy based in the UK that has advised a number of businesses that have gone on to build substantial franchise networks since 2008.

As well as the initial investment, Debonair Languages charges its franchisees a management services fee, details of which are available on request.

Assistance with funding the franchise is available via a nominated bank. Funding of up to 70 per cent of the start-up cost is available for franchises that have a proven track record of success. For less established franchisees, this figure is closer to 50 per cent.

What locations or territories is Debonair Languages looking to operate in?

The company is looking to recruit franchisees across the UK.

Where in the UK is the Debonair Languages franchise based?

Debonair Languages’ UK head office is in Bolton, Lancashire.

What training and support do Debonair Languages franchisees receive?

A franchisee’s initial training, which lasts between one and two weeks, covers everything they need to know about running their own translation and language services business.

This includes franchise set-up, the processes and systems used by Debonair Languages, marketing the business, and recruiting suitable linguists.

Did you know?

Debonair Languages has outlets available across the UK

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Once a franchisee is open for business, the company provides support in their local area to promote and establish the company. Mentoring and what Debonair Languages describes as ‘best practice advice’ is provided on an ongoing basis throughout the life of the franchise agreement.

Head office support for operational issues is also available.

All systems, training and support provided by the company is focused on one thing: growing a franchisee’s business from a work from home operation into a substantial office-based company that has established partnerships with businesses, organisations, and members of the public in its trading territory.

What are the Debonair Languages franchise’s terms of agreement and renewal?

The initial franchisee agreement lasts for five years. Franchisees wishing to renew the agreement once this period is up can do so without incurring any further franchise fee charges.

How in demand are the services provided by Debonair Languages?

As the UK becomes increasingly multicultural, so the demand for the services provided by Debonair Languages increases.

A broad customer base, spanning both the private and public sectors, plus individual members of the public, means the call for the translation, interpretation, transcription and transcreation services provided by this company looks set to continue.

According to the latest market research, the UK languages services sector is worth over £1bn annually. And growth prospects for the industry look positive.

The Association of Translation Companies’ latest language services market report revealed the sector grew by seven per cent in 2016, a figure that has exceeded the expectations of industry experts.

What’s the earnings potential of a Debonair Languages franchise?

Like any franchise business, the more time and effort you put in, the more you get out.

As an investment guide, Debonair Languages states that an established franchise, which successfully replicates the company’s proven business model in its local area, can earn gross profits of 60 per cent of turnover and a minimum net margin of £75,000-plus per year.

However, the company believes that top performing franchisees can earn annual six-figure incomes.

How can I get started on setting up my own Debonair Languages business?

You can send an enquiry quickly and simply by clicking the button below.

Full information about the franchise opportunity is provided to potential candidates once the recruitment process begins. Prospective franchisees are under no obligation to invest in a Debonair Languages franchise at any time before the franchise agreement is signed by both parties.

To find out more or to request further information on franchising with Debonair Languages, click the ‘Send Enquiry’ button now.