The Snap-On Tools franchise business model: a perfect fit

Following Snap-on Tools' tried and tested system has proved to be a recipe for success for franchisee Nick Allen

Nick Allen has been part of the Snap-on franchise system for nine years in various capacities, but is now operating a franchise on his own - and hasn’t looked back since.

After training as an electrical fitter then being made redundant, Nick found himself rebuilding military vehicles. Wanting a change, Nick found Snap-on. He explains:“I used to work with a Snap-on Tools franchisee and I mentioned that I was looking to start a new business working for myself. He recommended I tried the Snap-on route.”

Easy decision to make
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“I looked at several other opportunities, but I chose the Snap-on franchise because I was aware of the brand name and also it was working in an environment that I was comfortable in, so it was an easy decision to make.

“My normal day starts about quarter past seven. I start by printing off my daily sheets, which give me a list of all the customers I am going to see during the day. It also shows me anything my customers may require such as back orders, needs and products they have asked me for. I can then use this to carry around with me throughout the day, making the call personal to them. I normally get home around half past five and do about 50 minutes’ paperwork, clean down the truck and close out my day.”

Competitive edge
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Snap-on franchisees visit the same customers every week and at the same time every day. Workshop managers allow Snap-on franchisees into their workshops to talk to the technicians, service their tools and sell them products. It is this personal service that sets Snap-on above the rest -“This gives me my competitive edge,” says Nick.

Nick says the support he has received from Snap-on has been excellent:“When I started to work for the company, I initially did a week’s training at their training school, which is now in Dallas. Then when I went out on the road I did what they call an ‘initial blast’ with my field manager, which means five weeks’ of tuition with him sat next to me in the truck, showing me the ropes.

“We now get together once a month and talk about new product and sales ideas with around 15 other Snap-on franchisees, which gives you the opportunity to bounce ideas around and talk to franchisees who have been doing it for longer than yourself. I went back to the training school after six months and did a refresher training course to bring in some new skills. There is continuous training available and diagnostic training that we can participate in if we want too.”

In charge
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“The Snap-on franchise has changed my life considerably,” adds Nick.“I feel that I am in charge of my own destiny, rather than working for somebody doing the same thing Monday to Friday. I am now driving my own business forward, able to create my own goals and achieve my own targets”.

Nick enjoys the banter with his customers and continues to be enthusiastic:“I get a real buzz out of selling the Snap-on product and the different skills I need to employ when dealing with a new apprentice or the principal of a main dealership. I get to liaise with all the different areas and people within the company and I meet somebody different every day”

When asked if Nick found any pitfalls in the franchise, he says:“There are pitfalls in every type of job. I think the main mistakes that can be made are when people try to reinvent the wheel and stop following the procedures that are put in place by the franchisor. If you try and do things your own way and don’t take advantage of the promotions and don’t carry the product, you simply won’t be successful.”

Snap-on Tools offers and welcomes expansion and growth from its franchisees. There is the option to take on multiple franchises, whereby you employ another franchisee to take on another territory, and there is also the option to move into management.

For Nick, he is keeping his options open:“There is lots of opportunity within Snap-on, whether I decide to take on a second franchise and have somebody working for me - some franchisees have got up to four or five vans - or I could go down the management route as a field manager. Who knows what the future holds?”