Dream Doors, the franchise specialising in renovating kitchens by replacing the doors, has won the Brand Builder of the Year prize at the British Franchise Association's (BFA) annual awards.

Over 200 key BFA members attended the Express Newspapers and HSBA Bank sponsored event, heldat the Sheraton Park Lane Hotel in London.

Dream Doors was started in 2000 by Troy Tappenden with, he says, just £500. This year the now 20-showroom strong company has sales of more than £10m a year.

One of the judges, HSBC head of franchising Cathryn Hayes said: "This award recognises franchisors who have found ways of building and strengthening their brand to benefit their entire franchise network. In 2007, Dream Doors appointed a top agency [Big Fish] to re-design all of its marketing material, including shop fronts and exhibition stands, to create a consistent and instantly recognisable brand image. This significant investment, plus a more focused approach to brand marketing, has helped drive up group sales by 25% in roughly one year - a fabulous achievement by any standards."

Dream Doors opened seven new franchise showrooms in 2008 and the company can also offer a similar renovation service for bedrooms.

Alex Waite, Dream Doors franchise recruitment manager, said: "Winning the award rubberstamps the belief we've had in the strength of Dream Doors as a brand name all along. We've dug deep to reach and identify the core philosophy that underpins the company name, and we're satisfied we have a message that permeates the whole business."

PICTURE (l-r) Head of franchising at HSBC, Cathryn Hayes; Alex Waite, Dream Doors' franchise recruitment manager; Marc Alabaster, Big Fish Creative, MD; Kelly Chambers, Dream Doors' franchise and operations director; Troy Tappenden, Dream Doors' founder and director; President of the BFA, Sir Bernard Ingham; Director General of the BFA, Brian Smart