This kitchen company is expanding its operations across Europe

RAISON Home franchisees design the perfect kitchens for their customers and the company is excited by the market potential in the UK

With 50 years of expertise in designing, supplying and installing kitchens across France and a network of over 100 franchisees, RAISON Home has started expanding its operations across Europe and has global aspirations.

The company has averaged between 25 per cent and 30 per cent growth every year and despite the obvious implications of COVID-19 is up on where it was this time last year - father and son owners Claude and Laurent Raison have worked hard to create such an in-demand business model and service.

Foundations in place

UK managing director David Fox says: “We’re incredibly excited by the market potential in the UK, which we see as even greater than France, and already have two sales pilots and an experienced support team in place.

“Our franchisees come from all walks of life and varied previous careers, but they all have two things in common - they love working with people and overdelivering on customer service and they have a real passion for interior design and decoration.

“Naturally, the franchise attracts experienced designers who want to work for themselves, but our training and software is such that, provided the interpersonal skills and work ethic are there, we can teach the rest.”

Collaborating with clients

The core philosophy of the RAISON Home concept is that the best place to design a kitchen is in collaboration with the client in their own home, rather than in a busy, impersonal showroom.

As a franchisee, you’ll arrange a convenient time to visit customers at their home to survey the actual space, check the positions of key services and supply points and identify any possible layout or structural problems. Then you’ll sit down together to design the perfect kitchen. You’ll bring samples to explain the different finishes and options available from the different manufacturers, then complete the room survey and layout of the kitchen outline on RAISON Home’s CAD system.

Your customers will have access to the latest in technology, from 2D and 3D plans to virtual reality that lets them perfectly visualise their dream kitchen exactly where it’s going to be, and the chance to collaborate with experienced professional designers using the latest and best products from the UK and Europe.

You’ll be able to create a photorealistic 3D scene and a detailed 360° panorama, allowing you to quickly present a virtual reality view of the finished kitchen to see if the design meets the customer’s needs. You’ll also be able to produce a detailed quote, providing assurance that the project is fully aligned to the customer’s expectations and budget.

This approach makes RAISON Home unique in the marketplace and as a franchise opportunity. There are no expensive showroom rents, no big outlays on stockholding and no staff on your payroll until your business is ready to expand - just you and all the tools, training and support you’ll need to build a fantastic business that can fit easily with your lifestyle and generate potentially fantastic financial returns.

Over 95 per cent of RAISON Home’s customers say they are completely satisfied and would recommend the company. Such positive feedback is a reflection of the quality of its products and service, meaning a high proportion of sales come from customer referrals. RAISON Home says it has the highest customer satisfaction rate in the sector.

Support and training

The UK-based franchise support team will guide you every step of the way, from developing your business plan and securing any funding needed to launching your RAISON Home company and growing it into the business you’ve always dreamed of.

Before you launch, RAISON Home helps you set up your company, provides support in negotiations with banks and assists in the development of your business plan. Initial training, lasting up to six weeks during the first year of operation, covers trade techniques, software, commercial expertise, entrepreneurship and personal development.

Continuing professional development opportunities are offered throughout the year to enhance your knowledge and skills. There will be site visits, regional meetings, video conferences and an annual convention.

Without a showroom, your capital investment and operating costs are kept to a minimum. As a result, you can be extremely price competitive and concentrate exclusively on achieving ‘101% customer satisfaction’.

The total investment to get a RAISON Home franchise up and running is from approximately £40,000 (plus VAT).

“Customer service is at the heart of our job”

RAISON Home franchisee Tony De Almeida explains: “We are always made very welcome in our customers’ homes because we are 100 per cent focused on their project and they love getting our advice without all the disturbances normally encountered in a shop.

“They don’t have to travel and there aren’t any time constraints or pressures stemming from multiple promotion offers or queuing customers. Working this way means we can build trust with our customers and design a project that is perfectly suited to their tastes and lifestyle, while taking into account any technical constraints and making precise measurements.

“During the appointment, customers often take us around their house, which sometimes means we’re able to suggest other bespoke projects, such as matching furniture, wardrobes and bathroom fittings. Controlling budgets is key too, but our quotes are clear and don’t come with any nasty surprises.

“Customer service is at the heart of our job and the cornerstone of RAISON Home’s quality creations. We work with rigorously selected craftspeople and suppliers who, like us, love to get the job perfect every time. Along with networking, it’s the personal recommendations and referrals from delighted customers that allow me to grow my client network.”

At a Glance RAISON Home

Established:

1966

Number of franchised outlets:

110

Location of units:

France, Belgium, UK

Investment range:

£40,000

Minimum required capital:

£20,000

Contact:

Andy McCarroll. andy@platinumwave.co.uk raisonhome.co.uk