Sign up to be part of...
Forging the Francesco Future
Date Added: 2009-02-16
The Francesco Group is a major force in the British hairdressing industry. The well-established company boasts 30 salons spread out across the Midlands, each with a strong artistic team of stylists and all governed under the watchful eye of founder Francesco Delicompagni.
Francesco (Frank) began his first company as an independent mobile hairdresser because he lacked the funds required to lease premises. Several salons followed, the first of which opened in Stafford in 1968. Frank's brother Peter then joined the company in the late 70's and they took the decision to consolidate the group into one single brand.
Frank and Peter set to work defining ways in which the brand Francesco group would stand out from the crowd and by 1983 the proposition was so strong they began franchising. Not only do they now have 30 salons spread across the Midlands, but also two busy academies.
Frank is now Chairman of the group but recalls: "We took a long hard look at our mentors and considered what it was they were doing right."
"In the beginning when we began franchising we were very niave", says Peter. "You might imagine that developing a franchise business would be easier than developing a wholly owned salon and that after the initial set up, you see returns that are disproportionate to the amount of effort you are personally putting into the business."
"In many ways though, it probably harder and it doesn't grow on its own. You are contractually bound to support these people and if you put in the effort, its like a great marriage. We are rigorous about quality, standards and monitoring and we give everyone the support they need to succeed."
The academies were born out of necessity because both Frank and Peter understood that there was a difference between training at a local hairdressing college and actually working in a salon.
The company works hard to provide a way to monitor and support a salon's performance. Shortcuts, a system which the firm set up, is a facility which provides constant feedback on the numbers and allows head office to tweak programmes to suit each salon. Each salon is given an annual health check by Executive Director Sylvia Stenson as well data resulting from a 'mystery shopper' programme.
A recent edition to the company's portfolio is a greater web presence. A new online booking system is now in place, as well as an e-commerce site which allows people to purchase products online.
The company is clearly embracing the future and, with, its compulsion to improve its business, we sense they have big plans ahead. The commercial and creative success of the Francesco Group looks set to continue.
