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Dream Doors Franchise Case Study
Dream Doors Franchise Case Study
Craig Allen was a disgruntled employee that chose franchising to find freedom, profit and security with Dream Doors.
Dream Doors Franchise Case Study
Franchise Information
  • BFA Membership StatusFull
  • UK Years Established20 years
  • Current UK Coverage63%
  • Franchisee Support Staff18
  • Personal Investment Req.£35,000 approx
  • Total Startup Cost£85,000
  • Shop-based business locationYes
  • Territory-based business locationYes
  • Business to consumer servicesYes
  • Franchisee employs staffYes
Next Steps

Craig Allen Chose Franchising to Find Freedom, Profit and Security

At just 25 years old, Craig swapped his Deputy Managers role with a national retailer for self-employment as a Dream Doors franchisee, giving him the work-life balance he'd always craved.

Dream Doors - Craig Allen"I'd worked my way up through the ranks, starting out as a part-timer on the shop floor at 16 and becoming a store supervisor by the time I was 21.  But as my responsibilities increased, so did my hours – exponentially! It got to a point where I'd leave the house before my partner got up and return home so late at night that she'd already gone to bed! I had no life outside of work.

There's a culture within the retail sector that sets expectations way too high.  So, while you might be contracted to work 40 hours a week, you're held accountable to the job itself, not your hours. And that's fine for a while. But when you're increasingly expected to work yourself into the ground, where the job takes over your life and your stress levels go through the roof, those expectations become both unacceptable and unsustainable.

Since joining Dream Doors I've never looked back."

Recognising the need to change career was simple, says Craig. And finding that Dream Doors, the UK's largest kitchen facelift retailer and an award-winning franchise brand, had an existing business for sale less than 20 miles from him was perfect timing.

"I took over the business in the January and, to be frank, the transition from employee to employer and business owner was pretty seamless.  The work itself is not that different from what I was doing before, but the experience couldn't be further removed. I'm in charge and, at last, I'm able to balance my work and my life! I've put a team in place who are all playing to their strengths and I know this business can only grow, giving me a future with financial freedom and security. We've just had the biggest month this showroom has ever achieved, coming close to £100,000 of sales in one month!.

I'd recommend a franchise to anyone else who is in the same position I was back then.  You need personal discipline and drive, of course, but being part of a franchised brand has given me access to a supply chain, economies of scale and support that I couldn't hope for on my own."

Dream Doors is looking for more franchisees, like Craig, to open new showrooms or take over existing resales. Experience isn’t necessary as award-winning training and support is provided.

Find out more about the Dream Foors franchise by clicking below

Dream Doors franchisee follows in friend's footstepsDream Doors franchisee follows in friend's footsteps

Franchisee Neil Fisher followed in the footsteps of a childhood friend to launch his own Dream Doors trading territory.

Dream Doors Showroom Owner Explains Appeal of Business ModelDream Doors Showroom Owner Explains Appeal of Business Model

Simon Herbert took the leap into running his own business two years ago and opened Dream Doors Gloucester.

Trader Relocates from Minsk to Open Dream Doors ShowroomTrader Relocates from Minsk to Open Dream Doors Showroom

Ramin Razaq relocated from Belarus to open a profitable kitchen makeover showroom in the UK with his wife Wida.

Dream Doors Showroom Owners Still Going Strong After More Than A Decade In BusinessDream Doors Showroom Owners Still Going Strong After More Than A Decade In Business

After more than a decade of trading, Dream Doors franchisees Mike and Elaine Hurley are still enjoying their work and making great money.

Ex-Business Development Manager Finds Ideal Career Change with Dream DoorsEx-Business Development Manager Finds Ideal Career Change with Dream Doors

Chris Nowell joined Dream Doors in early 2019 and is now running a kitchen showroom in Telford.

Franchisee Continues to See Profits Rise with Dream DoorsFranchisee Continues to See Profits Rise with Dream Doors

Almost five years after joining Dream Doors, Mark Holmes continues to see his take home profits rise.

Franchisee Focusing On Making Sales to Support Growing FamilyFranchisee Focusing On Making Sales to Support Growing Family

Vishal Amin has found a way to balance spending time with his growing family and earning a great take home salary with Dream Doors.

Ex-engineer Indulges His Love of Interior Decor with Dream Doors FranchiseEx-engineer Indulges His Love of Interior Decor with Dream Doors Franchise

Ex-service engineer Mick Appleton is indulging his love of interior design by opening a kitchen showroom.

Dream Doors Franchisee Pulls Out All Stops To Achieve Fastest Ever Showroom OpeningDream Doors Franchisee Pulls Out All Stops To Achieve Fastest Ever Showroom Opening

It took Wilson Craig just 31 days to formally open his kitchen showroom in his hometown of Prestwick.

How One Bad Customer Service Experience Inspired Dream Doors FranchiseeHow One Bad Customer Service Experience Inspired Dream Doors Franchisee

Colin Lynch was looking for a change of career and knew franchising for the UK’s #1 kitchen makeover company was the way forward.

Family Working Together For Dream DoorsFamily Working Together For Dream Doors

Changing his career direction has given Wilson Craig the chance to work alongside his family.

Family Sells Up Truck Dealership To Open Dream Doors Kitchen ShowroomFamily Sells Up Truck Dealership To Open Dream Doors Kitchen Showroom

Selling up the family business allowed the Bachelor family to start a lucrative Dream Doors kitchen makeover franchise.

Ex-engineer Exceeds Earning Expectations with Dream DoorsEx-engineer Exceeds Earning Expectations with Dream Doors

David Parr was looking for a career change that offered greater earning potential.

Former Marine Swaps Conflict Zones For Kitchen ShowroomFormer Marine Swaps Conflict Zones For Kitchen Showroom

David Ward OBE has swapped conflict zones in Europe and the Middle East for a Dream Doors kitchen showroom in the West Country.

South African Couple Tap into UK's 'Mature' Franchising MarketSouth African Couple Tap into UK's 'Mature' Franchising Market

Gary and Hayley Ashe relocated to Britain to tap into its ‘mature’ franchising market.

Manbir Takhar Reaps Rewards of Finding a Fresh Challenge with Dream DoorsManbir Takhar Reaps Rewards of Finding a Fresh Challenge with Dream Doors

Former sales manager Manbir Takhar was looking for a new work opportunity when he joined Dream Doors in 2015.

Dream Doors Showroom Offers Best Return for Young FranchiseesDream Doors Showroom Offers Best Return for Young Franchisees

Sean and Katie Hebdon have built a successful, family-run business that delivers the lifestyle they had always craved.

Top Notch Customer Service Generates Huge Profits for Husband and WifeTop Notch Customer Service Generates Huge Profits for Husband and Wife

Focusing on top notch customer service has allowed husband and wife, Martin and Alex Smith, to build a highly profitable business.

Lynn Fletcher Finds Working Flexibility With Dream DoorsLynn Fletcher Finds Working Flexibility With Dream Doors

Dream Doors franchisee Lynn Fletcher found the working flexibility she needed by joining the UK’s #1 kitchen makeover company.

Ex-Teacher Runs Dream Doors Showroom in His Favourite Part of the CountryEx-Teacher Runs Dream Doors Showroom in His Favourite Part of the Country

Taking on a Dream Doors franchise allowed ex-teacher Matt Jones to move back to his favourite part of the country.

Family Makes Over One Million Pounds in Annual Sales with Dream Doors ShowroomFamily Makes Over One Million Pounds in Annual Sales with Dream Doors Showroom

The James family has worked together to generate over £1million in annual sales from their Dream Doors showroom in Stoke-on-Trent.

Ex-banker Restores Balance with Dream Doors FranchiseEx-banker Restores Balance with Dream Doors Franchise

Ex-banker Jerry Innesbeer took back control of his working life by taking on a Dream Doors franchise after being made redundant.

Brothers-in-law have surpassed their income targets in their first 18 monthsBrothers-in-law have surpassed their income targets in their first 18 months

Samiul Islam and Abdul Muktadir have surpassed their income targets in their first 18 months of running a Dream Doors franchise.

Husband and Wife Join Dream Doors to Enhance their BusinessHusband and Wife Join Dream Doors to Enhance their Business

Mark and Janet Warr approached Dream Doors to seek the opportunity and method they needed to grow their business.

Richard Marshall Runs Dream Doors Wakefield with Jamie-Louise BrewerRichard Marshall Runs Dream Doors Wakefield with Jamie-Louise Brewer

Dream Doors franchisees Richard Marshall and Jamie-Louise Brewer generated over £94,000 in their first month of trade.

David and Kate Howle Join Dream DoorsDavid and Kate Howle Join Dream Doors

Joining Dream Doors has been a 'whirlwind' for David and Kate Howle of Worcester.

Half-a-Million-Pound Businesses - With No Prior Experience!Half-a-Million-Pound Businesses - With No Prior Experience!

How people with no prior experience are building half-a-million-pound businesses with Dream Doors.

Dream Doors Franchisees Reap the Rewards of Self-EmploymentDream Doors Franchisees Reap the Rewards of Self-Employment

Mark and Rachael say that they have never felt more at home whilst working as Dream Doors Franchisees.

Ex-O2 Director shares his experiences as a new Dream Doors franchiseeEx-O2 Director shares his experiences as a new Dream Doors franchisee

Lavine decided to open his own Dream Doors franchise and tells us what first attracted him to the proposition.

Design teacher quits profession to take on kitchen makeover franchiseDesign teacher quits profession to take on kitchen makeover franchise

Matt Jones, the new owner of Dream Doors Truro, worked as a design technology teacher for 12 years before taking on a franchise.

What Our Franchisees Say

The training and support has been fantastic and has really reinforced the fact that we made the right decision. The initial training was really helpful and there have been plenty of visits from the Franchise Support Manager to keep us on the right path.Helen Mahon


If you want to work for yourself and have more flexibility, I would recommend a Dream Doors franchise. Also it’s good to know that you can run your own business, but still have the back up of a national company.Matt Jones


Everything about the franchise works as it is written in the manual and, in your early days, this is important while you learn the business.Paul Reeder


Why Choose Us

Dream Doors is part of Neighbourly, the world’s largest parent company of home services and property-related franchises

Industry-leading training and support

Help to find the perfect kitchen installation team

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