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Dream Doors Franchise Case Study
Dream Doors Franchise Case Study
EX-MARINE David ‘Sharky’ Ward OBE has swapped conflict zones in Europe and the Middle East for a Dream Doors kitchen showroom in the West Country.
Dream Doors Franchise Case Study
Franchise Information
  • BFA Membership StatusFull
  • UK Years Established20 years
  • Current UK Coverage63%
  • Franchisee Support Staff18
  • Personal Investment Req.£35,000 approx
  • Total Startup Cost£85,000
  • Shop-based business locationYes
  • Territory-based business locationYes
  • Business to consumer servicesYes
  • Franchisee employs staffYes
Next Steps

Former Marine Swaps Conflict Zones For Kitchen Showroom

David Ward left the Marines as a Lieutenant Colonel after 30 years of service and helped run the Royal Marines charity for years after that.  He feels the transferable skills he learnt in the military will now help him as he opens the doors of a new kitchen showroom in Plymouth.

Dream Doors | David Ward OBEDavid said:

"I joined the marines because of the challenge and because I wanted a physical, outdoor job.  It allowed me to serve all over the world – in Afghanistan, Iraq, Kosovo and Northern Ireland among other places.

I wanted a second career after leaving the military, it was just a case of finding the right moment to take that step.  I feel happy to move on from the Royal Marines charity and to set up my own business working for the UK’s number one kitchen makeover company in the South West, where I want to be.

I have always wanted my own business and I always wanted that business to be people-centric and related to home development in some fashion. 

I think franchising is a great fit for people from military backgrounds.  Franchising takes strong project management skills, which you need in the military, and it’s a way to combine the ability to manage people and serve people."

Dream Doors is looking for more talented franchisees like David who want to run their own local business, while also representing an industry-leading national brand.

There are just 19 new franchise territories available nationwide, particularly in the North East, North West, Yorkshire and Scotland.

If you would like to find out more about starting your own Dream Doors franchise just click below

Dream Doors franchisee follows in friend's footstepsDream Doors franchisee follows in friend's footsteps

Franchisee Neil Fisher followed in the footsteps of a childhood friend to launch his own Dream Doors trading territory.

Dream Doors Showroom Owner Explains Appeal of Business ModelDream Doors Showroom Owner Explains Appeal of Business Model

Simon Herbert took the leap into running his own business two years ago and opened Dream Doors Gloucester.

Trader Relocates from Minsk to Open Dream Doors ShowroomTrader Relocates from Minsk to Open Dream Doors Showroom

Ramin Razaq relocated from Belarus to open a profitable kitchen makeover showroom in the UK with his wife Wida.

Dream Doors Showroom Owners Still Going Strong After More Than A Decade In BusinessDream Doors Showroom Owners Still Going Strong After More Than A Decade In Business

After more than a decade of trading, Dream Doors franchisees Mike and Elaine Hurley are still enjoying their work and making great money.

Ex-Business Development Manager Finds Ideal Career Change with Dream DoorsEx-Business Development Manager Finds Ideal Career Change with Dream Doors

Chris Nowell joined Dream Doors in early 2019 and is now running a kitchen showroom in Telford.

Franchisee Continues to See Profits Rise with Dream DoorsFranchisee Continues to See Profits Rise with Dream Doors

Almost five years after joining Dream Doors, Mark Holmes continues to see his take home profits rise.

Franchisee Focusing On Making Sales to Support Growing FamilyFranchisee Focusing On Making Sales to Support Growing Family

Vishal Amin has found a way to balance spending time with his growing family and earning a great take home salary with Dream Doors.

Ex-engineer Indulges His Love of Interior Decor with Dream Doors FranchiseEx-engineer Indulges His Love of Interior Decor with Dream Doors Franchise

Ex-service engineer Mick Appleton is indulging his love of interior design by opening a kitchen showroom.

Dream Doors Franchisee Pulls Out All Stops To Achieve Fastest Ever Showroom OpeningDream Doors Franchisee Pulls Out All Stops To Achieve Fastest Ever Showroom Opening

It took Wilson Craig just 31 days to formally open his kitchen showroom in his hometown of Prestwick.

How One Bad Customer Service Experience Inspired Dream Doors FranchiseeHow One Bad Customer Service Experience Inspired Dream Doors Franchisee

Colin Lynch was looking for a change of career and knew franchising for the UK’s #1 kitchen makeover company was the way forward.

Family Working Together For Dream DoorsFamily Working Together For Dream Doors

Changing his career direction has given Wilson Craig the chance to work alongside his family.

Family Sells Up Truck Dealership To Open Dream Doors Kitchen ShowroomFamily Sells Up Truck Dealership To Open Dream Doors Kitchen Showroom

Selling up the family business allowed the Bachelor family to start a lucrative Dream Doors kitchen makeover franchise.

Ex-engineer Exceeds Earning Expectations with Dream DoorsEx-engineer Exceeds Earning Expectations with Dream Doors

David Parr was looking for a career change that offered greater earning potential.

South African Couple Tap into UK's 'Mature' Franchising MarketSouth African Couple Tap into UK's 'Mature' Franchising Market

Gary and Hayley Ashe relocated to Britain to tap into its ‘mature’ franchising market.

Manbir Takhar Reaps Rewards of Finding a Fresh Challenge with Dream DoorsManbir Takhar Reaps Rewards of Finding a Fresh Challenge with Dream Doors

Former sales manager Manbir Takhar was looking for a new work opportunity when he joined Dream Doors in 2015.

Dream Doors Showroom Offers Best Return for Young FranchiseesDream Doors Showroom Offers Best Return for Young Franchisees

Sean and Katie Hebdon have built a successful, family-run business that delivers the lifestyle they had always craved.

Top Notch Customer Service Generates Huge Profits for Husband and WifeTop Notch Customer Service Generates Huge Profits for Husband and Wife

Focusing on top notch customer service has allowed husband and wife, Martin and Alex Smith, to build a highly profitable business.

Lynn Fletcher Finds Working Flexibility With Dream DoorsLynn Fletcher Finds Working Flexibility With Dream Doors

Dream Doors franchisee Lynn Fletcher found the working flexibility she needed by joining the UK’s #1 kitchen makeover company.

Ex-Teacher Runs Dream Doors Showroom in His Favourite Part of the CountryEx-Teacher Runs Dream Doors Showroom in His Favourite Part of the Country

Taking on a Dream Doors franchise allowed ex-teacher Matt Jones to move back to his favourite part of the country.

Family Makes Over One Million Pounds in Annual Sales with Dream Doors ShowroomFamily Makes Over One Million Pounds in Annual Sales with Dream Doors Showroom

The James family has worked together to generate over £1million in annual sales from their Dream Doors showroom in Stoke-on-Trent.

Ex-banker Restores Balance with Dream Doors FranchiseEx-banker Restores Balance with Dream Doors Franchise

Ex-banker Jerry Innesbeer took back control of his working life by taking on a Dream Doors franchise after being made redundant.

Brothers-in-law have surpassed their income targets in their first 18 monthsBrothers-in-law have surpassed their income targets in their first 18 months

Samiul Islam and Abdul Muktadir have surpassed their income targets in their first 18 months of running a Dream Doors franchise.

Richard Marshall Runs Dream Doors Wakefield with Jamie-Louise BrewerRichard Marshall Runs Dream Doors Wakefield with Jamie-Louise Brewer

Dream Doors franchisees Richard Marshall and Jamie-Louise Brewer generated over £94,000 in their first month of trade.

David and Kate Howle Join Dream DoorsDavid and Kate Howle Join Dream Doors

Joining Dream Doors has been a 'whirlwind' for David and Kate Howle of Worcester.

Dream Doors Franchisees Reap the Rewards of Self-EmploymentDream Doors Franchisees Reap the Rewards of Self-Employment

Mark and Rachael say that they have never felt more at home whilst working as Dream Doors Franchisees.

Ex-O2 Director shares his experiences as a new Dream Doors franchiseeEx-O2 Director shares his experiences as a new Dream Doors franchisee

Lavine decided to open his own Dream Doors franchise and tells us what first attracted him to the proposition.

Design teacher quits profession to take on kitchen makeover franchiseDesign teacher quits profession to take on kitchen makeover franchise

Matt Jones, the new owner of Dream Doors Truro, worked as a design technology teacher for 12 years before taking on a franchise.

What Our Franchisees Say

The training and support has been fantastic and has really reinforced the fact that we made the right decision. The initial training was really helpful and there have been plenty of visits from the Franchise Support Manager to keep us on the right path.Helen Mahon


If you want to work for yourself and have more flexibility, I would recommend a Dream Doors franchise. Also it’s good to know that you can run your own business, but still have the back up of a national company.Matt Jones


Everything about the franchise works as it is written in the manual and, in your early days, this is important while you learn the business.Paul Reeder


Why Choose Us

Help to find the perfect kitchen installation team

13-week induction programme – covering all aspects of running a successful business

Dream Doors is part of Neighbourly, the world’s largest parent company of home services and property-related franchises

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