Editorial

The ONLY provider of a unique service used by restaurants all over the world!

With customers like Dunkin Donuts, TGI Friday’s, and Applebee’s, it’s no surprise FiltaFry is one of the fastest growing franchises.

Without competing businesses offering the same service, their home-based Franchise Opportunity is unique. FiltaFry is a mobile, on-site service providing micro-filtration cleaning to deep fryers.

“There’s no one else out there,” FiltaFry CEO Jason Sayers said.

Overseas, Sayers started the company in 1996. Beginning as a United Kingdom pilot, FiltaFry has continued significantly expanding since its inception. Across the globe, Franchises are now located in Australia, Africa, Europe and the Middle East .

Here in the United States, FiltaFry franchisees are rapidly increasing as well. In merely three years, the franchise has grown to include over 40 states. Currently, FiltaFry is still looking to expand in each state to gain more coverage.

Listed in Franchise Times’ Top 55 Franchises, this distinctive business provides a cost-effective service to its sizeable customer-base. Restaurants rely on quality cooking oil. Yet, as cooking oil deteriorates, food quality diminishes as well. Eventually, restaurants must throw away this oil. It becomes quite costly.

But, FiltaFry has the cost-saving solution. With their micro-filtration system, clients are able to enjoy cleaner, longer-lasting oil. The filtration system produces an improved taste, and reduces kitchen accidents too. Most importantly, it saves their customers money.

Here’s how the process works:

The technician arrives on-site, checks the fryer oil temperature, and sets-up the cleaning process.
Next, the technician removes oil from the fryer through a filtration machine.
Then, the fryer is cleaned with a vacuumed-based system. The oil is filtering during this process as well.
Finally, oil is returned to the fryer and cooking may resume.

FiltaFry has many satisfied customers from their special service. Here’s what a Bennigan’s manager said about the experience:

“ FiltaFry has been in our Restaurant for several months and during this time we have enjoyed an increased savings on our shortening. This savings has resulted in a positive impact on our food cost. By performing their invaluable service, our fryers are consistently clean and the life of our shortening is extended. I would recommend this service to your establishment if you are looking for quality work, professionally performed, and a savings you can see.”
- Kitchen Manager, Bennigan’s

Including travel time, the process takes about 60-minutes, Sayers said. With weekly visits, each franchisee has a customer-base of about 30 to 40 clients. These customers include restaurants/bars, hotels, airports, hospitals, schools, and sporting arenas, Sayers said. Any establishment frying food is in need of this service.

Moreover, FiltaFry’s customer-base is continuing to intensify. Largely, a franchisee’s base is repeat customers, Sayers said. But, clients also join through the company’s free demonstration offer, he said. These demonstrations allow potential new customers a first-hand opportunity to observe FiltaFry’s exclusive services. In addition, FiltaFry employs a public relations firm, Sayers said. They’re dedicated to placing publicity in a franchisee’s local paper, he said.

"Investing in any new business is not an easy decision to make. As I went through the process of researching FiltaFry, everyone at Filta Group addressed all of my questions and concerns promptly with clear and concise answers.

When the decision to invest was made, Filta Group delivered on every thing they said they would do. The training is well organized and essential to the successful operation of the FiltaFry business."
- FiltaFry Franchisee

A new FiltaFry franchisee doesn’t necessarily need to come from the industry. “They come from all walks of life. We have people from computer engineers to farmers,” Sayers said. "But, they all have one thing in common. “They’re the best.”

Additionally, franchisees must encompass enthusiasm, an outgoing personality, and a drive for success, Sayers said. After a thorough training process, franchisees are prepared to operate their own FiltaFry business. The first week of training is spent in-house, Sayers said. They learn about the business including the technical side, administration, marketing, and finances. The franchisee then spends a whole week with an existing FiltaFry Franchise Owner, helping run the van and gaining real ‘hands on’ experience.

Next, Business Development Managers spend two weeks with new franchisees. These managers assist with launching territories, and developing new clients.

But, the support doesn’t end there. Franchise assistance continues with the FiltaFry Mentor program, Sayers said. With proven past success, these mentors are current FiltaFry franchisees, he said. These mentors are advisers, assisting new franchisees to flourish.

FiltaFry franchisees enjoy what they do. They like working for themselves, Sayers said. Without competition from others, they like its individuality. Franchisees like the camaraderie of repeat customers too.

“And, they like helping save their customers money,” Sayers said.

Sayers offers advice to future franchisees of any system, “Have a positive attitude, follow the system, communicate well, and don’t be afraid of hard work.”