Q&A: Does United Carpets Franchise in the UK?

If you’re looking to become a business owner and you enjoy working with and meeting new people on a daily basis, why not consider starting your own franchise in the retail sector? Read on, and find out everything you need to know about a potential retail franchise investment with United Carpets and Beds, a UK seller of all things carpets, flooring, rugs, beds and mattresses.

If you’d like to start your own business focused on carpets, United Carpets franchise opportunities have to be on your list alongside carpet installation and carpet cleaning franchises. Why? Because the retail sector is uniquely profitable and ever-growing, and you could hugely benefit from this if you chose to launch a United Carpets and Beds franchise of your own.

Does United Carpets franchise in the UK?

Yes, United Carpets does franchise in the UK. If you’re interested in starting your own United Carpets and Beds business, the company will be happy to welcome you to the family from its Rotherham headquarters, and you’ll join an 87-store strong and ever-growing franchise network.

The history of United Carpets’ flooring and beds

United Carpets and Beds is the UK’s largest franchised flooring and bed retailer. Family owned and run until its public offering in 2005, United Carpets and Beds has lost none of the values that have created a reputation for bringing ‘value for money’ flooring to ‘everyone.’
- United Carpets and Beds

United Carpets is, as noted above, the UK’s largest franchised carpet retailer - and it has an amazing reputation! For many years, the company was family-owned, and now that it’s welcomed shareholders onboard, United Carpets and Beds has been able to expand and strengthen its services and support systems, for customers and franchisees alike. 

New products are launched on a regular basis by United Carpets, so as a franchisee, you’ll never be in danger of customers losing interest/products no longer meeting their needs. Instead, your franchisor will help you, as they’ve been helping existing franchisees for many years, to navigate the changing tides of retail trends and customer demands as they relate to flooring and bedroom furniture.

Start a franchise in the flooring industry with a United Carpets business

This unique flooring and furniture retailer might well have piqued your interest - even more so now that you know just how many successful United Carpets franchise businesses are thriving in the UK at this moment. If this is the case, read on. Discover the answers to the following three questions, and you’ll have everything you need to start your own retail franchise with United Carpets right away...

1. How do you go about becoming a United Carpets franchisee?

You can find out more about franchising with United Carpets by requesting information from the brand, but what will make you suited to a career with the company? One of the biggest advantages of becoming a franchisee, beyond the chance to become your own boss, is the provision of comprehensive, quality training. Training that fills any and all knowledge gaps. 

In the case of United Carpets, this training means that you don’t need directly relevant prior experience in order to thrive as the owner of a United Carpets and Beds business. That said, you should still assess whether you have the following transferable skills that’ll set you up for success in this growing sub-sector of the massively competitive retail industry:

• Customer service
• Communication, sales and negotiation
• Patience
• Leadership and teamwork
• Business acumen
• People management
• Time management
• Creativity and out-of-the-box thinking

2. How much do you need to invest?

If you’re interested in franchising with United Carpets and Beds, note that the minimum initial investment required of you will stand at around £30,000. The cost of starting a franchise in the UK varies based on a number of different factors, from brand name, to location, to type of investment, but this amount is below the average cost, as of 2018, of starting a franchise [British Franchise Association].

Funding support is available through most UK banks, who are willing to lend up to 70% of startup costs. To be a successful applicant, you will need to be able to prove that the franchise is reputable, and that you have a good credit history. There are also other means by which you can secure funding for your franchise, including: 

• The government’s Startup Loan Scheme 
• Retail-sector-specific opportunities 
• A franchise finance loan 

3. What do you get for your investment?

If you decide that starting a United Carpets franchise is the correct professional path for you to walk down next, and you make that investment, you’ll immediately have access to a full, nationally renowned programme of franchisor support and training. You 100% will not be going it alone, as you would be if you attempted to start a similar retail business from the ground up.

Instead, as a franchisee, you’ll benefit from United Carpets’ established customer base and well-recognised brand name. You’ll be able to access the franchise’s existing and proven operational methods. AND you’ll always be able to speak with both your franchisor and current franchisees in order to seek advice. Reach out to United Carpets and register your interest, and you’ll soon find out more about all the support on offer to you post-investment.

After 7 years in the business, [my husband/business partner and I] both know, hand on heart, that all our initial anxieties and concerns have been met and overcome. We were given excellent operational support and even now, just one phone call is always met by first class support throughout the company.
- Jo Horgan, United Carpets Doncaster

Start running your own franchise with this thriving flooring franchise today

For more advice on the intricacies of the retail industry and retail franchise ownership (all of which will be very helpful to you following an investment with United Carpets and Beds!), stay on Point Franchise. Discover five tips for building a business plan for a successful retail franchise, four tips for running your retail franchise efficiently and five tips for marketing your retail franchise effectively.