When Oli Bramley founded Kikoff Football he was passionate about the beautiful game but lacked soccer coaching or referee qualifications. So he created a business to suit his skills, and 15 years on is looking for individuals keen to bring their A-game to the franchise – with or without football certification.

“I don’t have any coaching qualifications so I hire the coaches. I am more interested in the business as a whole,” he says.

Kikoff Football franchisees operate two or more football pitches, renting the fields out to local groups and community organisations, schools and competition organisers.

Oli says “Franchisees don’t need any specific qualifications although if they have coaching qualifications they can choose to coach. A lot of potential franchisees are qualified and want to do it.”

He is keen to showcase the flexibility of the business model, which stands out from the crowd of sporting franchises for its high level of support.

Franchisees can initially keep their day jobs

This support enables franchisees to continue their day jobs, if and when they want to.

“Support is available at the early stages of the business or later in the journey. A lot of people enquiring are football fans, keen to get into their own business but might be nervous about financial security,” he explains.

With that in mind, Kikoff now offers an exceptional package of paid-for support during Monday to Friday workday hours.

“Because of our technology, franchisees can keep their current jobs until they are ready to quit their day job and do something they love.

“I felt uncertainty in my early days, and if I were going to break out and commit to opening my own business, particularly in today’s economy, I wouldn’t want to put all my eggs in one basket.

“We can support people who want the end goal, and we will do the day-to-day work,” Oli says.

A new support package for Kikoff Football franchisees

Oli says all the communications and operating systems are cloud-based. This means the head office team can step in and manage the day-to-day enquiries and bookings for the franchisee.

“We look after the admin and we’ve been doing it for 15 years. Franchisees don’t need to do anything hands-on other than check in and ensure things are running smoothly.

“We can redirect the franchisee’s communications or access their emails from head office. So we can take bookings, schedule leads, respond to birthday party enquiries – all the elements managed in daylight hours,” he says.

“After work a franchisee can get up to speed and see where the business is at, they don’t need to be on-hand during the day.”

This full support service costs $3,500 a month (that equates to employing a full-time team for just over $40,000 a year).

“It’s a month-to-month arrangement within the five to 10-year franchise agreement. It’s a pick-up and drop process, as you need. Franchisees can engage us from the start or pick up at any point.”

This is also a service that can be instigated without notice in emergencies, Oli says.

Helping run the business

Termed the Central Midfielder package (reflecting the support role this soccer position holds on the pitch) it ensures there is someone in an organisational role, maintaining the gameplay, as it were.

And because it’s the same team training franchisees and running this program it is akin to getting the trainer to run the business, he adds.

Of course, for franchisees taking up the Centre Midfielder package, it’s not an entirely hands-off solution. The franchisee retains responsibility for opening and closing the pitches, which can be handled by a manager or member of staff, and for the on-pitch activities.

“We offer strong support for all our franchisees; however, this is extra “nitty gritty” support.

“Franchisees don’t have to worry about waiting for a response, we are helping run the business. It’s like having us as a business partner,” says Oli.

Passion, innovation and community

“We’re getting strong interest in this,” he says. “It is a bonus to have some standing in the football community and can approach the local network.”

One of the joys of the business is giving back to the community and working with people of all ages. And Kikoff Football also offers opportunities for franchisees to innovate.

“The pitches are predominantly football-based but they can be used for anything that doesn’t damage them. So franchisees can bring their own creativity into the role,” suggests Oli. “If an idea works really well Kikoff would adopt it and promote it on the website as a standard offering.”

He is keen to create a sense of community of franchisees supporting each other and sharing ideas at monthly meet ups. It reflects the sense of community that envelops football.

“Football is the biggest sport in the world and there are so many opportunities for all levels of ability. You go through the playing stage and develop a passion; then there are the opportunities to be managers or coaches, and so many people volunteer.

“This is giving people the opportunity to not just volunteer but own a business, a business that benefits so many people, which brings joy. To train and make people better at what they enjoy is really rewarding.”