The Countrywide plc makes profit from estate agency activity and from distribution through estate agency outlets of mortgages and financial products. Countrywide is ambitious and is looking to achieve rapid growth in its share of the estate agency market and financial services and other services distribution. It has adopted franchising as one of its main growth vehicles in estate agency. Acquisitions will however still be considered as opportunities arise.

Countrywide owns over 22 of the biggest and best known brands in the UK - and franchising offers ideal opportunities for the growth of selected brands
Bairstow Eves is the Group's biggest brand, with over 220 outlets spread across the country as a whole.
Bairstow Eves have been adopted as the core brand for franchising development across the country – other brands may follow
The intention is to continue to build Bairstow Eves as a national brand with the fullest possible representation across the country
Most other Countrywide brands are strong regionally, and are therefore being considered for franchising on a regional basis - in due course

Franchising will be used both to infill the existing network and to extend network coverage
Franchises are being offered both to existing independent agents who wish to take advantage of the strengths of a national brand, to experienced estate agents, eg frustrated managers of corporates, who are interested in start-ups, and to experienced business people who want to invest in the estate agency sector.

Existing independent estate agents will rebrand to Bairstow Eves to match the existing owned network
Franchisees will be invited to become Introducer Firms for financial services purposes
Franchises are also being offered to independent estate agents who wish to retain their own brands combined with the Countrywide name.
The independent model brings a national dimension to a good local name, and combines local and national strengths

Franchising is a growth strategy rather than a conversion strategy.
There is no plan at present to turn existing Countrywide branches into franchises
Countrywide has a large professional services division, Countrywide Surveyors, and, unique amongst Estate Agents, its own substantial conveyancing division, Countrywide Property Lawyers.
Countrywide will therefore be well placed when the Government's proposals for the reform of the house buying process is implemented – an undoubted benefit to franchisees.