HiQ Network to Create up to 500 New Jobs Through Franchise Programme

BIRMINGHAM, England - Leading fast fit retailer HiQ today announced it is to create up to 500
new jobs as part of its ambitious national franchise programme.

The fast fit franchise chain, which today boasts 137 HiQ centres across
England and Wales, is creating the positions over the next three years as the
number of outlets on UK high streets rises to 275 by 2012.

The company has already accelerated the growth of the nationwide tyre and
vehicle servicing network by signing long-term franchise agreements in 2008
when 106 parent-company owned HiQ centres were franchised. Such is the
success of this, HiQ is now extending its highly successful model to many
more towns and cities.

HiQ’s franchise programme is rapidly expanding, with 41 franchisees now
operating 137 HiQ centres, compared to just 15 franchisees operating 33
centres in 2007. New jobs are now being created weekly, with for example, 10
new positions announced for HiQ’s Kettering store this month.

HiQ is revolutionising the fast fit sector by creating transparency and
peace of mind for customers, after a 2006 Which? survey found that customers
have a 73 per cent dissatisfaction with service in the automotive industry.

HiQ Retail Director Juergen Titz said: “The objective is to grow the
business with new open points in towns and cities. The plan is to get 170
centres by the end of 2009 and 275 by 2012.

“The franchisee network is investing more than GBP2 million into improved
customer environments in 2009, and this award winning franchise concept will
increase transparency and certainty for our customers.”

HiQ has invested heavily in developing a bespoke training programme for
its employees as part of its new concept for fast fit in the UK - another
show of strength within the automotive sector.

Mr Titz said that these investments proved that the company’s new
positioning - ‘fast fit you can be sure of’ - would be as relevant in five to
10 years time as it is today.

He added: “To promise fast fit you can be sure of requires significant
investment and a clear understanding of our core beliefs within our franchise
business structure. We know that franchisees are aligned with this belief
which is key in out-performing our competitors.”

“The increased profile of HiQ, and our long term commitment to the
network, has played a major role in attracting quality franchise
investments.”

Interviews available

Source: HiQ

For more information please contact Ben Smallman or Hazel Crawford-Upton on +44(0)1902-714957 or email ben at connect-group.com / hazel at connect-group.com, +44(0)7974230690