Case Study: Greeting Card Franchisee

Leading greeting card franchise and publisher Card Connection, announces Simon Linscheid has taken over the company’s Dublin territory.   

Simon was previously a Card Connection retail customer for eight years while he ran his Texaco forecourt business. He now supplies around 270 forecourts and retail stores in the region with Card Connection’s extensive range of quality greeting cards and gifts.

“Running a forecourt was a seven day per week job and although I enjoyed it, I was looking for a change of scene,” explains Linschied. “I was already familiar with Card Connection’s merchandise and the company’s award winning concept, so when the territory became available I jumped at the chance to become a retail supplier.”

“Simon’s experience as a retail manager will ensure he is well placed to understand and respond to his customers’ needs,” confirms Andrew Cutler, sales director of Card Connection.  “He already has a detailed knowledge of consumer buying patterns and will be able to ensure stock displays are optimised to improve sales of greeting cards and gifts, which in-turn will help him build his business rapidly.”

Simon currently works with his partner Sylvia and two merchandisers plus a stock helper and plans to expand his franchise operation to supply 500 stores within two years. 

Card Connection has limited vacancies for franchisees who are keen to run a growing business.  Successful candidates would ideally have some management experience as, once established, they would be expected to employ a small team, operate a warehouse and have several liveried vans on the road.  

Because the franchise networks in the UK and Ireland are complete, the available opportunities now consist of acquiring an already-established territory from an existing franchisee.  These vary in price according to their level of development, but start at £20,000 (+ stock) with earnings potential in excess of £50,000 per annum.