Adam and Ruth Brenner, who operate the Prontaprint print-on-demand franchise, were presented with the third place prize of £2,000 at a gala dinner at the ICC in Birmingham on October 7. The awards were sponsored by HSBC and supported by the Daily Express.

Speaking after the awards, Adam said: “The strength of the Prontaprint brand and the support of the franchisor has played a big part in helping us expand the business. I put our success down to this and our own hard work which has allowed us successfully to challenge some stiff competition locally, including an outlet right next door to us.”

Adam, 44, and Ruth, 46, both had successful careers in fashion, Ruth in design and Adam in production and management, before they took on the under performing Prontaprint franchise in the city. Seven years on, they have built a thriving business, despite facing stiff competition from their next-door neighbours, who happened to be their biggest business rivals.

The small copy shop they opened as franchisees in 1997 had five staff and only £18,000 a year profit. What’s more, next-door was an AlphaGraphics outlet, which they estimated was probably turning over more than three times their revenues.

“It didn’t faze us,” says Ruth. “The Prontaprint shop had been here some years before Alphagraphics. We had absolute confidence in the Prontaprint brand, we both had previous experience of running a business, and we believed in the city centre location.”

Since 1997, new business generated by Ruth and Adam has created eight new jobs and sustained growth of more than 20 per cent year-on year.

Despite a set back on their first day when they suffered an electric failure and a flood they now have a thriving business with a turnover fast approaching one million pounds - this with a healthy profit of 23 per cent, all the more remarkable when you consider that the print sector’s national average is only five per cent.

The couple are quick to acknowledge the help and support of their franchisors. Ruth says: “The franchise team at Prontaprint have been fantastic and given us excellent support from day one.”

The theme for this year’s awards was “Beating the Competition – How Franchising Makes A Difference.” The Awards were judged by a panel chaired by the British Franchise Association President, Sir Bernard Ingham.

Presenting the couple with their award, Jon Notley Classified Advertising manager at Express Newspapers, said: “Adam and Ruth have certainly had a fight on their hands to beat their competition. Adam and Ruth are the epitome of successful franchisees. It is through their outstanding abilities in customer care that they have built such strong relationships with their customers.

“Of course franchising has helped them to achieve their goals, and they will continue to beat their competition, with the back up and support of Prontaprint.”