Member Article

Lee Signs New Franchise Agreement to Continue Ovenu Stoke North Growth Plans

A former bakery transport manager is toasting his future after agreeing a new five year franchise agreement for oven valeting service Ovenu Stoke North.

Lee Gibson said he didn’t have to think twice about extending his agreement with Ovenu, the UK’s largest established oven cleaning network.

“My first five years have been a real success and during that time, I’ve grown the business by generating repeat business and attracting new clients.

“It’s reached the point where I’m almost fully booked at least two months in advance, which means I may consider taking on an additional oven technician to put another van on the road.

“It’s been hard work, but being my own boss is really enjoyable, partly due to the ongoing support I receive from Ovenu.”

The 50-year-old, from Stone, took over the business in 2018 from previous franchisee Mark Bentley, inheriting a loyal and established client base.

As a former Ovenu client himself, Lee realised the potential and purchased the franchise once Mark told him of his decision to retire after 14 years.

“I was a transport distribution manager at Warburtons, where I’d been for 23 years, and it just felt it was time for a change,” he said. “I’d always had ambitions to run my own business and to take control of my career and life.”

Having recently become a grandfather for the first time, he is also benefitting from an improved work life balance – as long as, he says, he keeps strict control of his diary.

“I get great satisfaction from delivering a quality service and building up a strong rapport with my clients. Being part of a franchise takes a lot of the stress out of running your own business because of the level of support and training provided.”

Rik Hellewell, the founder and managing director of Ovenu, said: “It’s great to see that Lee is reaping the rewards from our tried-and-trusted business model. The fact that he has agreed a further five year contract is a glowing testimony to the strength of the Ovenu brand.”

The Ovenu process involves dismantling key components such as the door, interior panels, fan, and shelves and placing them in design-registered tank equipment, which uses safe, non-caustic and biodegradable products to clean the oven parts. The whole process leaves the oven in a near showroom condition.

As well as Stoke-on-Trent, Ovenu Stoke North covers Newcastle-under-Lyme, Hanley, Tunstall, Longton, and surrounding areas.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by News Gathering .