ENTREPRENEURS with a flair for franchising can get their fill thanks to a popular sandwich bar.

For the directors of MERV'S, who hail from Tottington and Prestwich, are giving ambitious business people an opportunity to taste success in the burgeoning sandwich bar sector.

Nigel Roberts, of Tottington, and business partner Nigel Calmonson, who lives in Prestwich are directors of MERV'S, based in Bridge Street, Manchester. Since opening seven years ago, the bar has become a favourite haunt for city folk seeking fabulous sandwiches and corporate catering.

Now, the company has launched ambitious plans to roll out the chain to franchisees in the Bury area and the north west as a whole and, ultimately, on a national scale.

Nigel Roberts said: "We teamed up a year ago along with Turner Parkinson, a firm of solicitors in Manchester, to form MERV'S Franchising Limited to set up and operate the franchise system.

"What makes MERV'S different is that everything about the operation is high quality, from the fittings, the uniforms, the presentation of the service."

Commenting on the franchise operation, he continued: "Anyone joining us to operate a MERV'S franchise will find a ready-made business operation with all the successful elements already in place: the design, layout, shop-fitting, equipment and menus are all ready for them from a tried and tested model.

"MERV'S also offers a complete accounting and HR package to its franchise partners, a unique aspect of this franchise package."

Anyone wanting to share the success of a homegrown food chain should contact Nigel on (0161) 839 2675 or e-mail him at franchise@mervs.co.uk.