Mobile services franchisor Leather Doctor has just dropped its franchise fee to help individuals get into their own business.

Casey Reid, franchise sales manager, told Inside Franchise Business “There’s been a lot of interest because we’ve incentivised the buying price. It’s now more available to more people and allows for an easier entry point.”

The start-up cost of a Leather Doctor franchise is now $75,000, a $20,000 reduction on the full price. To make up the difference, the franchisor is increasing the ongoing franchise fees.

Franchise buyers can also take on complementary sibling brands Fabric Doctor and Timber Doctor for a small additional cost.

Another company within the group, Care Cover, specialises in accident protection. Once it has assessed an insurance claim it is able to first offer the customer’s repair job to a relevant franchisee, before assigning the job to a third party business if a franchisee is unavailable.

A family business, Leather Doctor has been franchising since 1989, and has been trading in New South Wales for the past 20 years.

Right now the Sydney market in particular has plenty of potential, Reid points out. In the franchise’s home state Queensland, with a population of about 4.7 million, 22 franchisees and additional service contractors service areas each with populations between 100,000 to 130,000.

In Sydney, the population of about eight million could accommodate about 40 franchisees – it is currently serviced by just seven existing franchisees – and many of the territories are large enough for future sub-division.

Tasmania is another opportunity, with no operator yet signed up and a population of 500,000.

The group is scouting for franchisees to meet the increased demand for the services across all the brands. Reid is looking for franchisees who are eager, and confident.

“We’re looking for franchisees who know this business model fits them. Confident and enthusiastic for the brand, someone who wants to be a Mr Fixit.”