The Range is launching its own kitchen franchise model under the ‘Kitchens by Homebase’ banner, and is currently advertising for industry professionals to run their own showrooms.
As part of its new “license-based showroom model”, The Range says that full support will be provided to those looking to get started, with showroom locations being based within high-footfall Range stores.
The retail giant says that Kitchens by Homebase is ideal for designers who want to take the next step into business management, and that the scheme offers progression routes for employees to becoming successful business owners.
The Range is highlighting minimum upfront costs, “low risk, high potential” growth expectations, and its status as a national brand, as potential benefits to applicants.
It is not currently known when the scheme will be officially up and running, however one question on the scheme’s interest submission form does ask applicants if they’d be interested in opening their showroom within the “next 3 months” or in “3 to 6 months”.
An online statement from Homebase said: “Kitchens by Homebase is opening up something genuinely exciting and designed to complement its existing kitchen operations. The chance to run your own kitchen showroom, backed by one of the most trusted names in UK kitchens and one of the fastest growing retail groups.
“This isn’t a side hustle, and it’s not a risky startup either. It’s a supported, licence-based showroom model designed for people who already know the kitchens industry inside out, designers and retail leaders who are ready to turn their experience into a business of their own, build a team, and grow something they can be proud of.”
CDS, the parent company behind Wilko and The Range, acquired the Homebase brand (as well as 70 of its stores) after the home and garden retailer went into administration in late 2024.
Meanwhile, Wilko also entered the KBB retail market in 2024, when it launched its first-ever own-brand kitchen collection. The launch, which was made up of six entry-level self-assemble kitchens, was designed to appeal to as many consumers as possible by being rolled out in a series of on-trend colours.