Franchise prospectus

LighterLife franchise opportunity

IntroductionLighterLife is a growing weight-loss and weight-management company that hashelped over 200,000 people lose weight and improve their health. Effective, safeand sustainable, LighterLife is far more than a diet. It helps men and women whoare more than one stone overweight (BMI* 25 or above) lose weight then sustaintheir weight loss, not just for a few months or a year but for life.

LighterLife has been trading successfully for over 14 years in the UK and has withinthe last few years also expanded into the Republic of Ireland. Having started growingthe business through licensing opportunities in 1996, LighterLife made the decisionto become a recognised franchise and joined the British Franchise Association as afull member in 2009. We currently have over 340 Weight-Management Counsellors.They’re men and women from many backgrounds who now run their own business,manage their own time and help other people live lighter, healthier, more active lives.

* Body mass index (BMI) is a person’s weight in kilograms divided by theirheight in metres squared. It’s now a standard for assessing the health risksof a person’s weight.

BMI = weight in kg

height in metres x height in metres

Intr

od

uct

ion

lTh

eM

ark

etP

lace

Healthy/Underweight

Obese

Overweight

38% 38%

24%

The Market PlaceIt’s no secret that being overweight or obese is becoming a problemfor more and more people.

The UK adult population is currently just over 49 million, of which24 per cent are obese and a further 38 per cent are overweight.This gives LighterLife a potential customer base of 30 million people1.

UK obesity rates have doubled in the last 25 years and it’s estimatedthat 60 per cent of men and 50 per cent of women will be obese by20502. It’s also estimated that obesity will soon surpass smoking asthe biggest cause of premature death in the UK3.

According to UK National Audit Office statistics, being clinically obesecan reduce people’s lives by a staggering nine years4. Over 40 serioushealth conditions are linked to obesity including high blood pressure,diabetes, high cholesterol, heart disease and some cancers5.

The good news is that as people start to lose their excess weight theirhealth will improve:

• A ten per cent decrease in body weight reduces the risk of developingtype two diabetes6 and certain types of cancer by 40 per cent7.

• A ten per cent decrease in body weight reduces the risk of heartattacks and other cardiac disease by 20 to 25 per cent8.

Sources1 Department of Health & Children, Ireland 2008.

2 Foresight, Tackling Obesities: Future Choices – Project Report, GovernmentOffice for Science, October 2007

3 House of Commons Health Committee, Obesity: Third Report of Session2003-4, London 2004

4 Tackling Obesity in England. Report by the comptroller and auditor general,House of Commons session 2000-2001, London, February 2001

5 National Obesity Forum, 2008

6 10% weight loss cuts risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 50% – from Obesity,Your Questions Answered (Campbell, Haslam) pp.43 (quoting Jung, R. BritishMedical Bulletin 1997; 53(No2):307-321 – p311)

7 Jung R. Obesity as a disease. Br Med Bull 1997;53(2):307–321

8 Ashley FW, Kannel WB. Relation of weight change to changes in atherogenictraits: The Framingham Study. J Chronic Dis. 1974;27:103-114.

LighterLife offers a proven businessformat, low initial investment, positive

cash flow and excellent returns.

LighterLife are full members of theBritish Franchise Association. As a fullmember of the BFA, we have chosento be vetted against a strict code ofbusiness practice. We, therefore, are

committed to being an excellentfranchisor that can support you toachieve the success that you are

looking for. Membership of the BFA isin effect a quality standard because it isan organisation dedicated to promoting

good practice in ethical franchising.

The Franchise Opportunity

The

Fra

nch

ise

Op

po

rtu

nity

LighterLife Weight-Management Counsellors

It’s our Weight-Management Counsellors that make LighterLifedifferent. In a recent survey, 80 per cent of our clients rated theirCounsellor as excellent or very good.

(LighterLife Client Satisfaction Survey October – December 2009)

Support from a group and a Weight-Management Counsellor is oneof the most common reasons people recommend LighterLife. Thetop reason is fast weight loss.

As a LighterLife Counsellor, you’ll be trained to diploma level in all theaspects required to run a successful LighterLife business. You will betrained to use cognitive behavioral therapy and transactional analysistechniques in the form of activities within weekly group meetings tohelp clients understand their relationship with food and enable themto make a long term change to their eating habits.

LighterLife Weight-Management Counsellors share many qualities.Self-motivated with commitment and drive, they need to have:

• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral.

• The ability to develop strong relationships.

• Excellent planning and time-management skills.

• Emotional resilience.

• A desire to make a difference to people’s lives.

• Computer literacy.

• Previous business experience is beneficial, but not essential.

There’s plenty of help with getting started

As a LighterLife Weight-Management Counsellor, you’ll benefit frombeing part of a growing company with a nationally recognised brandand a proven business format. LighterLife offers:

• Fast start up.

• The freedom to work flexible hours – minimum 35 hours per week.

• High earning potential.

• Accredited training programme to diploma level.

• Ongoing training and continuing professional development.

• Dedicated support and advice to help you grow your business.

• A client referral system.

• Experienced in-house marketing team.

• Counsellors’ personal website.

• No management service fees.

2004

%of

pop

ulat

ion

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

2015 2025 2050

Women

Men

The obese market is growing

LighterLife has two weight-loss programmes. Both offer safe weight-lossand the opportunity for clients to learn the skills they need to reach ahealthier weight; a weight with which they feel satisfied and can sustainin the long term.

If a client’s BMI is 30 or aboveClients take a complete break from conventional food. Everyday theyconsume four Foodpacks providing a total of 500 – 600 calories per day.

If a client’s BMI is between 25 and 29.9Clients consume three Foodpacks a day and a conventional meal froma suggested list of portion-controlled ingredients bringing their total dailyintake to 800-1200 calories. The meal is nothing complicated and the

ingredients can be found in any supermarket.

FoodpacksFoodpacks, including soups, shakes, porridge and bars, help LighterLifeclients lose weight safely. Over four decades of research have gone intodeveloping LighterLife Foodpacks to ensure clients enjoy safe, optimalweight loss and nutritional wellbeing while doing so.

They come in a variety of sweet and savoury flavours and are suitable forvegetarians. Tasty and easy to make up, they’re ideal for people who havebusy lives.

On a psychological level, using Foodpacks frees clients from the distractionsof too much choice around food. This creates a unique window of

Safe, effective weight loss

Safe

,eff

ect

ive

we

igh

tlo

ss

Weekly group meetingsWeekly group meetings are single-sex and there are no more than 12 peoplein a group which allows clients to build confidence, feel supported and ableto discuss things openly and honestly.

As a Counsellor you’ll use a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy andtransactional analysis techniques to help the group explore the reasons whythey overeat. Each week you’ll help clients take part in a group discussiondesigned to help them learn effective ways to deal with problems, feelings anddifficult situations without turning to food. You’ll give clients the support andencouragement they need to stay focused on their weight-loss goal andmotivated to succeed.

All LighterLife clients attend weekly group meetings while working towardstheir weight-loss goal.

The LighterLife Management ProgrammeOnce clients reach their desired healthy weight they join the LighterLifeManagement Programme. This starts with the Route to ManagementProgramme where they reintroduce a full range of conventional food andcontinue to attend weekly group sessions. On completing Route to Managementclients continue to benefit from free support and monthly group meetings on theLighterLife Management Programme.

Management clients are great adverts for your business. Lighter, healthier, moreactive and in many cases brimming with a new found confidence, their family,friends and work colleagues can’t help but notice. Delighted with what they’veachieved, many want to tell the whole world about how their life has changedfor the better - no longer do they lose weight only to regain it. And we all knowa personal recommendation is the best publicity possible. They’re proof thatLighterLife really does teach people the skills they need to manage theirweight long term.

Health and medicalLighterLife takes the health and wellbeing of all its clients very seriously. Beforejoining a LighterLife group, clients complete a health questionnaire. Dependingon their health, a client may need their questionnaire filled out by a GP.

Body mass index (BMI)Healthcare professionals round the world use BMI as a way of knowing ifsomeone is a healthy weight for their height.

Weight status BMI

Underweight Less than 18.5

Ideal 18.5-24.9

Overweight (should lose weight) 25-29.9

Obese (should lose weight) 30-40

Very obese (should lose weight) Greater than 40

In September 2004, Natalie Bellis, aged 31from Billericay, Essex, decided on a change of

career and trained to become a LighterLifeWeight-Management Counsellor.

Counsellor Case Study

Co

un

sello

rC

ase

Stu

dy

“ I get continuous job satisfaction from what I do but it’s not for the idle or fainthearted. I’d sayto prospective Counsellors that if you want to work hard, be financially rewarded and wake upevery day knowing that you’ve made a difference to someone’s life, then LighterLife is for you.”Natalie Bellis LighterLife Counsellor, Essex

Before LighterLife, Natalie worked as a fashion buyer for TK Maxx travellingextensively across Europe and the UK. Her work life balance was difficult tomanage and she was keen to find a new challenge that would re-balanceher life in favour of her family – something she has been able to achievesince becoming a LighterLife Weight-Management Counsellor.

Natalie decided to go down the franchise route when launching her ownbusiness as she was confident that a franchise would offer a superior level ofsupport: “I liked the idea of working for myself but also knew I would benefitgreatly from being under a larger umbrella to help and support me wherenecessary.”

Natalie, says, “I had several friends who had completed the LighterLifeProgramme. I watched their transformation not only from an image and sizeperspective but their personality and their confidence grew immensely andthat’s what triggered my interest.” It was during the recruitment and trainingprocess that she gained a much deeper understanding of LighterLife: “I knewobesity was a growing problem and felt that this was not only a viable businessventure but also an opportunity to help people and have a rewarding career.”

Natalie started her training in January 2005, opened her doors for businessby April 2005 and hasn’t looked back since.

“If you are thinking about investing in a franchise the advice I would give isto make sure that you‘re a self-motivator. Although you have the support of alarge organisation, it’s still down to you to make your business a success. Havegood local knowledge of your target market and spend time when selectingyour premises to ensure that you’re able to offer your clients the very bestvalue for money.

Buying a LighterLife franchise was the best move I have ever made. It hashelped me to achieve a fantastic work/life balance, it has given me theopportunity to realise a dream of working for myself, something I feel I wouldnever have done without the support of a large organisation. My future goalsinclude continuing to build the LighterLife brand on a local level using theadditional territory I have invested in to further grow my business and increaseawareness of how life-changing LighterLife can be.”

Trained for successTraining to be a LighterLife Counsellor is challenging. It involves intensive classroom training, experiential learning and distance learning. By thetime you’ve finished your initial training you’ll be in a position to launch your LighterLife business. At the end of your training you can be confidentyou’ll have all the skills you need and will be awarded an accredited diploma in Building a Weight Management Consultancy. Our diploma isaccredited by Edexcel, the UK’s largest awarding body, and is an equal educational standard to a level 4 NVQ or a Foundation Degree.

Our specialist trainers provide continuous support throughout your training journey.Whilst training you will cover a variety of topics including:

Business skillsYou’ll work with our business trainers to develop your business plan, select the rightpremises to support your business and understand and plan your cashflow for yourinitial twelve months of trading. Our Marketing Team will provide you with information soyou can plan a variety of cost effective methods of launching and attracting clients toyour business.

Group activity facilitation using counselling techniquesThe key to LighterLife’s success is the activities that you work through each week withyour clients. Our specialist trainers will work with you to discover how to use theunderpinning psychological theory and the counselling techniques with your clients toassist them in their weight loss and weight management.

Programme knowledgeUnderstanding the markets that you will be working in will enable you to see howLighterLife is structured to support all its clients. You will learn about how andwhy LighterLife is clinically monitored and gain knowledge of physiology in relationto LighterLife.

No matter what your background and experience, our specialist trainers andcomprehensive support team cover everything you need to become a LighterLifeWeight-Management Counsellor and start your business.

“This has been the most fantastic experience. I can only thank you,and all your team for such a fantastic opportunity, I can’t wait to getout there and start putting it all into practice.”

Owen Matthews, Trainee LighterLife Counsellor

“I’m so impressed by the thorough training I’ve received with LighterLife.”

Julie Cumberland, Trainee LighterLife Counsellor

Following successful completion of the diploma, you’ll then be able to undertake regularcontinuing professional development every year, including workshops, forums andindividual coaching session with your Regional Business Development Manager.

“Great motivation; just what I needed to focus on growingmy business.”

Debbie Kennedy, LighterLife Sales Training Course attendee

“The two days were amazing – opening up personal learning andexpectation as well as being a huge help for the future with clients.”

Dawn Burton, LighterLife Psychological Training Course attendee

Tra

ine

dfo

rsu

cce

ss

Zoe lost weight with LighterLifeand loves her new figure

“ Before I joined LighterLife my BMIwas 41.7, making me morbidlyobese. With the help of my Weight-Management Counsellor, I startedto lose and keep off the pounds. Iknew I always had someone thereto encourage me.

Together we talked through theroots of my snacking habits andworked out ways to change themfor good. Now I’m happilymaintaining a healthy weight andrecently I even wore a bikini for thefirst time in 20 years.”

Donna lost weight with LighterLife anddiscovered a whole new confidence

“ Losing weight on LighterLife was incredible.It’s so much more than a faddy diet. I joinedLighterLife to lose weight but I’ve alsolearned techniques that have made me amore confident person in all areas of mylife. The weekly group meetings with myLighterLife Weight-ManagementCounsellor meant I felt completelysupported at every stage. It neverfelt like I was making the journeyalone. Now I’ve lost the weightI go to the gym regularly andplay tennis too. I’m adifferent woman now.”

Client Success

LighterLife helped Christian change his entirerelationship with food

“ I found being on Foodpacks easy. During Route toManagement, where you reintroduce conventionalfood, you’re conscious of everything you eat. It wasthe first time in my life I’ve ever felt like that. MyCounsellor helped me to understand food, to enjoyit but only when I am physically hungry and not forother, emotional reasons.

The group sessions helped me to look at theemotional triggers that drove my eating in the past.This was a revelation. I saw clearly how my weightwas directly related to how I felt about myself.”

Clie

ntS

ucc

ess

It takes a special person to become a LighterLife Weight-Management Counsellor. Empathy, excellent communication skillsand business flair are just some of the skills needed.

What’s absolutely essential is a strong desire to succeed.

The LighterLife recruitment process enables candidates to demonstrate that they have the business skills, as well as themore subjective human qualities, needed to succeed as a LighterLife Weight-Management Counsellor.

Our aim is to recruit the most suitable and talented people.

If you think you have the skills and abilities necessary to run a successful LighterLife franchise, please complete and returnthe enclosed application form.

How do I become a LighterLifeWeight-Management Counsellor?

12

3

4

Upon receipt of your form, we will contact you and conduct a short telephone interview.

If successful, you will be invited to attend an Information Meeting in your region. Here you will be shown apresentation and have the opportunity to ask any questions.

We will contact you within 24 working hours to let you know if you will be invited to attend a Recruitment Day atCentral Office in Harlow, Essex.

During the Recruitment Day you will take part in group and individual activities, as well as having a one-to-oneinterview. We will contact you within 48 working hours to let you know whether you will be given the opportunityof training to become a LighterLife Weight-Management Counsellor.

We look forward to hearing from you.Tel: 01279 636988 Web: www.lighterlifefranchise.com

© LighterLife UK Limited 2010. All rights reserved. All LighterLife materials, literature, videos, DVDs and CDs are the sole property and strictly the copyright

of LighterLife and may not be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of LighterLife. Any

infringement of copyright will be strongly pursued and legal action will be taken.

GL10/01

It’s our Weight-Management Counsellors that make LighterLife different.

As a LighterLife Weight-Management Counsellor you will benefit frombeing part of an expanding company with a nationally recognised brandand a proven business format.

LighterLife offers accredited training, the freedom to work flexible hoursand high earnings potential.

LighterLife UK LimitedCavendish House

ParkwayHarlow Business Park

HarlowEssex

CM19 5QF

Tel: 01279 636988Fax: 01279 636999

[email protected]