Carl Parsons had spent 25 years running two McDonald’s restaurants. In that time he saw the organisation grow and grow. But, the bigger a company is, the more people involved – influencing how you run your business. After deciding he wanted more freedom and more control of his life, Carl began the search for a new franchise that he could run in his local area, Corby.

Carl Parsons had spent 25 years running two McDonald’s restaurants. In that time he saw the organisation grow and grow. But, the bigger a company is, the more people involved – influencing how you run your business.

After deciding he wanted more freedom and more control of his life, Carl began the search for a new franchise that he could run in his local area, Corby.

“I’d spent 25 years with McDonald’s. I had some fantastic times there and learned a hell of a lot – not least the importance of great service. But I’d become a bit tired of running a business that relied heavily on other people. I wanted a fresh opportunity I could build on my own but with a proven track record. Countrywide Signs was that opportunity. After negotiating my exit from McDonald’s I purchased my Countrywide Signs business without hesitation.”

Before coming across Countrywide Signs, Carl had searched online and attended a franchise exhibition in search of an opportunity. He found that none of the businesses offered the freedom he so craved, as well as having a proven business model with plenty of potential. But Countrywide Signs was different…

With proven systems in place and a wealth of experience and knowledge to call on at head office, the Countrywide Signs opportunity is designed to offer business owners the support they need to succeed but without being too prescriptive. You can grow at a speed you are comfortable with.

And Carl’s territory certainly has potential for growth. He estimates that, if things go according to plan, he can expand to have 3 vans on the road and be able to bring his son on board.

Carl is very clear, though, that he has some hard work ahead of him first: “Customers can be pretty unforgiving – you need to bring you’re ‘A’ game right from the start. But if you’re not afraid of hard work, you won’t regret making the leap. I know I don’t”

“The support and training has been second to none. I recently took part in a webinar which provided some useful tips and ideas that I’ll be implementing from the off. But really it’s the whole package that attracted me – the people and their approach. They’re not afraid to keep things simple. And after 25 years of working with one of the biggest organisations in the world, believe me, that’s been incredibly refreshing. I’m excited for about the future.”