We had visited Roly’s Fudge Pantries on many Devon family holidays when our children were young and realised then there was no fudge as good as Rolys’! Andy had spotted the franchise opportunity 15 years or so ago and had dropped into conversation many times that this would be his ideal job. It was only in October 2013 after 20 years selling packaging to manufacturers and retailers across the country that he was brave enough to start the journey into the realising his dream. We opened our shop on High Street, Stratford-upon-Avon in May 2014 and found Rolys exceptionally helpful during the early stages of planning: from help finding the right location to the practical information available throughout the process. In addition there has been great ongoing support in the first months of opening and advice to help us achieve our best potential as a new franchisee. As a result our whole family has found themselves a role to play; our eldest son has a ready-made holiday job when on leave from university and our two daughters (and friends!) have thoroughly enjoyed working in the business on Saturdays and school holidays.

Since writing this case study, Andy and Kate have opened another fudge pantry in Stow-on-the-Wold where they continue to make handmade fudge every day for the town’s visitors.