A franchiser from Honiton is celebrating 25 years of franchising with just one regret - he wished he had started sooner.

Neil Stapleton and his late wife Lorraine created one of the most successful OSCAR Pet Food franchises from scratch right from their home in Honiton.

The company began started when their second son was born. Long hours of lorry driving were keeping Neil away from home, and the family began to dream of a better work/life balance. 

Neil said: “Making the switch from regular income to creating our own was easy – we had kids and a mortgage for motivation – and the joy of prioritising our lives around work made missing sports day a thing of the past.

“We put our success down to the joy of being able to work to each other’s strengths.

Lorraine was previously a typesetter and proofreader with a keen eye for detail and a clear understanding that little things make a big difference – especially when it comes to customer care.

Whilst she organised the office side of things, Neil loaded the van and was out on the road meeting new customers and look after existing ones.

He said: “Winning the company’s ‘top performing franchise’ award made us very proud, but it was hard work, exceptional pet nutrition and a determination to create new leads that kept those pets coming back for more.”

Richard Martin, Managing Director of OSCAR Pet Foods said: “To say I am extremely proud is an understatement. Neil & Lorraine have been an absolute credit to British franchising.

“More than any other franchisee, Neil has inspired the whole OSCAR business – helping us to develop and grow. Happy 25th anniversary, Neil, and thank you for your continued help and support.”