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Consumer Discretionary
Franchise Brands, a leading multi-brand franchise business, has been in the spotlight recently with significant developments in its director dealings and financial performance. The company, known for its brands like ChipsAway, Willow Pumps, and Metro Rod, has seen a notable increase in stake by one of its directors, Louise George. This move comes at a time when the company is celebrating robust financial results and is poised for further growth.
Louise George, a non-executive director of Franchise Brands, has recently increased her stake in the company by purchasing 50,000 ordinary shares. This transaction, executed at an average price of 145.0p per share, resulted in a total investment of £72,500. Following this purchase, George now holds a beneficial interest in 150,000 shares, equating to approximately 0.077% of the company's total voting rights[1][5].
The increase in stake by George reflects her confidence in Franchise Brands' future prospects. This is particularly significant given her background as the former CFO of Belvoir Group, which suggests a deep understanding of financial strategies and growth opportunities[1].
Franchise Brands has reported a remarkable financial performance for 2024, with record system sales and improved profitability despite challenging macroeconomic conditions. The company's system sales surged by 20% to £418.5 million, while statutory revenue grew by 15% to £139.2 million. The pretax profit saw an impressive increase of 86% to £9.2 million from £5.0 million in the previous year[2][4].
In light of this strong performance, Franchise Brands proposed an increased final dividend of 1.3p per share, marking an 8.3% rise from the previous year's 1.2p. This brings the total dividend for 2024 to 2.4p, representing a 9% increase over the 2023 total of 2.2p[2][4].
Franchise Brands remains optimistic about its future performance, driven by resilient demand for its essential services. The company is advancing its 'One Franchise Brands' initiative to integrate its operations more efficiently, maximize sales opportunities, and leverage a more streamlined structure supported by enhanced IT systems[4].
Looking ahead to 2025, the company expects revenue to be between £145.2 million and £157.0 million. Adjusted EBITDA is projected to range from £39.3 million to £40.0 million, with adjusted earnings per share (EPS) anticipated between 10.34p and 10.70p. These projections suggest continued growth in line with market expectations[2].
Following the announcement of its financial results, Franchise Brands' shares experienced a slight increase, reflecting investor confidence in the company's strategy. However, ongoing macroeconomic uncertainties continue to influence market sentiment[3][4].
The company is scheduled to hold its annual general meeting on May 7, 2025, where shareholders will consider resolutions, including those related to share allotments and potential share buybacks[3].
Franchise Brands is demonstrating resilience and adaptability in a challenging economic landscape. With strong financials and strategic initiatives in place, the company is well-positioned to capitalize on growth opportunities. The increased stake by a key director underscores confidence in the company's future prospects, aligning with Franchise Brands' vision for continued success through enhanced operational efficiencies and international expansion.
