Footlights Theatre Schools franchise

Footlights Theatre School was founded by Jo Fisher in 2005, and the first franchise was issued in 2009. The company provides affordable stage school learning and training for young people aged from three to 18, alongside producing plays for theatres and schools. The business also operates its own casting agency.

The first Footlights Theatre School franchise was owned and operated by Lindsey Berry, a former mature student at the school. And, the franchising side of the business then grew from strength to strength. By 2012 there were three extremely successful Footlights Theatre Schools in operation.

Jo then took a step back for a while, halting all new franchise operations while she consolidated and expanded her brand and further enhanced the instruction/operational manual for franchisees. This work was completed by 2016 and a further four franchises were launched.

Footlights is based in a purpose-built building in central Media City, Manchester and is currently in the process of building its own theatre. This will become a hub for ongoing training, while also being an excellent venue for hosting events and staging shows. Franchisees from any area of the UK will have the ability to access this hub.

Typical total start up costs for this franchise are £13,250.

Footlights has a strong mission to provide education via performing arts. As such, all franchisees benefit from a ten-day intensive training programme which runs from the Media City HQ. Franchisees learn all about business operations and the core business structure, as detailed in the comprehensive operations manual. Customer service, business, IT learning, and marketing techniques are also taught.

An additional and optional training package is also available to gain first aid and safeguarding certifications.

Franchisees can also benefit from on-the-job training at an existing Footlights stage school.

If training is required for exams, like Lamda and Arts Awards, this can also be provided.

All potential franchisees need to have great people skills and the ability to run their own stage school. Daily operations also involve a good deal of administration, so prior experience of office work of some kind is also beneficial.

Footlights doesn't just provide stage school training, although this is the primary investment made by franchisees. The business also produces plays and theatrical productions for schools and visits hundreds of schools throughout the year. This has increased brand awareness significantly and pupils from all franchised schools participate in this arena and can also enrol with the Footlights casting agency.

It's important that any Footlights franchisee shares the vision of the organisation and is committed to providing learning via theatrical productions.

Joanne Fisher came from a fairly deprived background and left school without any qualifications at the age of 14. Despite this, she managed to build a successful career based on her love for literature and the arts. She trained as both an actress and a teacher and worked at high levels in theatrical direction and teaching. Her entrepreneurial spirit and love of business led her to launch her own stage school with a vision to cater to students from any walk of life.