Why isn't AlphaGraphics more successful in the UK? The print franchise generates worldwide sales of more than $245m, yet here in the UK there are just a handful of centres.

This does seem to be something of an anomaly, especially having learned that the second-highest turnover centre worldwide - and top selling owner - is located here on the small island in the shape of AlphaGraphics North East and its MD Sean Costigan.

Perhaps in the past the business didn't have its franchising model right? Or maybe the prevalence of high street outlets such as Kall Kwiks, Prontaprints and now Printing.coms meant the market here was already crowded. Although having said that an Alphagraphics is more likely to be found on a business park than a high street, so their approach is somewhat different.

Having recently spent some time with franchisees from around the world at their annual conference, it seems to me that if AlphaGraphics can get its act together over here it should have a pretty compelling offering. The atmosphere of mutual support and knowledge-sharing among centre owners was incredibly positive and it was obvious that the owners were gaining tremendous value from being part of a network. Compare and contrast with the current slew of unhappy franchise owners at ODC-owned Kall Kwik and Prontaprint.

In the States a significant number of independent printing-type businesses have converted to the brand, attracted by the benefits of scale and the support that becomes available for a typical SME owner who might be running a press one minute, and fulfilling the roles of HR and finance director the next.

According to VP of global development Art Coley we can expect AlphaGraphics to be much, much busier in the UK over the next 18-24 months, and a business development expert has been recruited to drive things forward. A diary note is duly made to check back and see if it manages to successfully create a bigger A-list over here.