INFORMATION AVAILABLE

The Business Start-up Agency (Agence pour la création d’entreprises: APCE)

This agency will not give a personal counselling service, but its website (www.apce.com), with introductory sections in English, is full of facts and figures about France and information on formal business procedures. It also directs you, by geographical area, to the organisation or chamber of commerce you should contact for further information depending on whether you have a commercial or industrial project, artisanal or agricultural project and depending upon your employment situation. The APCE estimate that new businesses that use training and consultation organisations have a 30 per cent better chance of success than those businesses which go it entirely alone.

TCE

Le Train de la Création d’Entreprises (TCE), now in its fourth year, was set up under the patronage of the government financial and small businesses Ministries in association with Le Figaro newspaper, L’Entreprise business magazine and the Salon des Micro Entreprises (small businesses exhibition). The train tours major cities throughout France with an all-day stop in the main station, and has accountants and lawyers on board giving free consultations, advice and information; business assurance and computer software companies, and representatives from Chambers of Commerce.

Talks are also given on themes such as business plans and choice of legal form for new businesses. All information is in French only. Visit www.traincreationentreprises.com for full information including the train’s itinerary.

Other useful government websites:

www.pme.gouv.fr

For small- to medium-sized businesses, commerçants, artisans and the professions.

www.minefi.gouv.fr

Ministry of Economy, Finance and Industry

www.entreprises.minefi.gouv.fr

Information from the above ministry for enterprises.

How to become a franchisee

The FFF (la féderation française de la franchise) (website: www.franchise-fff.com) has useful introductory information in English. You should consider the advantages of buying a well-tried and profitable business formula and association with a successful trade mark – while remaining an independent business structure – and also the minimal cost of participation in national advertising campaigns to consolidate brand image and launch new products. France is, perhaps surprisingly, the biggest franchise market in Europe. The market is worth about 45€ billion, which is almost twice Germany’s market and nearly three times Britain’s market. Although franchisees have a lower risk element than completely independent entrepreneurs the returns are generally lower. If a move to France is dependent upon buying a franchise be prepared to move to where the best opportunity is, although this may not be where you have always enjoyed spending your holidays. Beware also of being exploited by a franchiser in a new area to test the market.

Franchises usually demand heavy commitment in terms of time and initial investment, plus you may need to live close by to supervise the business, even if you’re not working in it on a daily basis. Teething troubles, which can otherwise be costly with an un-tried business, are mostly avoided and displaying a franchise on a business card assures a good entrée to banks.

Franchisees can generally get on with their business knowing that any technical or operational problems that do crop up can be quickly solved from the franchising company’s previous experience. That said, quiz other franchisees in the same business to see how they’re doing: did the training meet their expectations? Does the franchiser provide the support expected, when required? Does the franchisee have any regrets?

The FFF (fédération française de la franchise) 60, rue de la Boétie, 75008 Paris, website: www.franchise-fff.com, has useful introductory information in English and it organises a two-hour initial information session which costs around 40€. There is also a separate day-long seminar, costing around 190€, for more detailed information.