How to create a UK franchise territory map
Which franchisee should receive an enquiry from YO18?
A franchise territory map shows which operator covers each postcode. Choose a method that fits the information you have.
- Create the map by hand if you know which districts to select for each franchisee.
- Import from Excel if your spreadsheet lists the franchisee for each postcode district.
- Use the Map Assistant if you want to describe the territories in your own words.
How a territory map helps a franchise
For the franchisor: Head office can use a customer’s postcode to send an enquiry to the right operator. In the Yorkshire example, an enquiry from Pickering (YO18) goes to the North franchisee. Before offering an uncoloured district to a new franchisee, head office can check it against the full territory list.
For the franchisee: A local operator can check whether a customer is in their territory before quoting for a job. If the North franchisee receives an enquiry from Malton (YO17), the map shows that it belongs with the York operator. The North franchisee can also use their boundary to choose where to advertise and plan customer visits.
Method 1: Create the map by hand
- [Map choice and territory names]
- [Postcode selection for each franchisee]
- [Boundary and colour check]
Method 2: Import territories from Excel
- [Postcode and franchisee columns]
- [Excel import in the map editor]
- [Imported territories compared with the spreadsheet]
Method 3: Use the Map Assistant
- [Open the Map Assistant]
- [Example prompt with franchisee names and postcodes]
- [Review of the proposed territories]