The theme for the awards, which are organised by the bfa and sponsored by Express Newspapers and HSBC Bank, was ‘Customer Focus’, with contenders asked to demonstrate how franchising has made them more effective in the marketplace, enabling them to track consumer needs and respond more effectively with systems, products and services that meet customer demand.

There are three award categories including the bfa Franchisor of the Year, the Express Newspapers Brand Builder of the Year, and the HSBC Award for Enterprise.

Vying for the top title, bfa Franchisor of the Year are, coffee shop chain BB’s Coffee & Muffins; letting and property management specialist Belvoir Lettings; take away pizza chain Domino’s Pizza; driver recruitment franchise Driver Hire; domestic cleaning franchise Molly Maid UK; print-on-demand specialist Prontaprint; providers of disaster restoration services Rainbow International; automotive diagnostic equipment specialist Snap-on Tools; and washroom hygiene services provider Swisher.

For the first time this category will include Gold, Silver and Bronze awards.

Competing for the title of Express Newspaper Brand Builder of the Year are Belvoir Lettings; lawn care and maintenance franchise GreenThumb; hydraulic hose replacement company Pirtek UK and independent wine retailer Thresher Group.

The three businesses in the running for the HSBC Award for Enterprise are

Clive Easylearn Rock & Pop Schools, which teaches music to children; Monkey Puzzle Day Nurseries, and global executive recruitment specialist MRI Network Worldwide.

Director General of the bfa Brian Smart said: “The standard of entries in all categories this year is extremely high, reflecting the increasing professionalism of the industry as a whole.

“All the businesses reaching the finals have demonstrated exceptional skill and acumen and can be justly proud of their achievements and the outstanding example they are setting for others in the industry,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of Express Newspapers, business advertising manager Yvette Taylor added that the Awards provided a highly visible showcase for the best businesses in the sector.

She said: “Franchising offers many people the answer to their business dreams, and by sharing these stories with our readers we can perhaps encourage others to follow the same route to success.”

HSBC’s head of franchising, Cathryn Hayes, said: “The success of these Awards and the individuals who take part reflects the continuing growth of this dynamic sector of the market and we are delighted to see such innovation at work.”