Azura Group

Established in 1990, Azura has developed a proprietary fully integrated, cloud-based, franchise management software system specifically tailored and designed to the needs of franchise businesses.

Its core functionality includes a customer web portal, a full CRM system, a franchise recruitment CRM, an integrated invoicing and bookkeeping system, and intranet and mobile applications. Franchisors benefit from improved efficiencies, reliability, accessibility and compliance, flexibility and scalability.

Azura has positioned itself as the partner of choice within the franchising sector and works with more than 30 franchise networks. Azura serves customers across a broad cross-section of franchise categories and has particular experience in the service-based, van-based, domiciliary care and children’s activity sectors. Solutions are customised to the needs of each network. The system is multi-lingual and can be used by franchisors in a number of international markets.

Having worked in partnership with Azura in recent years, the acquisition enables the Group to consolidate its software development and secure ownership of the related intellectual property created to date, at a time when the Group is embarking on a further, more ambitious digital journey. A key part of the Group’s strategy is to develop a common technology platform across all its businesses that will enhance the end-to-end customer experience and improve the efficiency and productivity of its business, and franchisees. Azura will play a key part in delivering this platform.

The Board also believes there is an opportunity to use Franchise Brands’ experience and expertise to grow Azura’s business, by improved development of its end-to-end franchise management software system to enhance sales to other franchise businesses in the UK and overseas.