No strangers to running a business, franchisee partners of the new Bathgate Baguette Express, David and Claire McMenigall, also own a successful baked potato shop in Edinburgh.

Established by brothers Robin and Billy Stenhouse in 1999 to provide an alternative approach to the expanding world of healthy snacking, Baguette Express has experienced continued success and now has outlets in Tranent, Galashiels, Hawick, Dalkeith, Musselburgh, Haddington, North Berwick as well as two shops on Edinburgh's Lothian Road and Gorgie Road.

Director Robin Stenhouse said: 'Our aim is to be the recognised market leader and the largest independent snack business in the UK within the next five years. With an ever increasing team of franchise partners, backed by a national supplier network, the opening of our Bathgate shop further supports our aspirations to be biggest and best.'

Mr. Stenhouse credits the success of the franchising strategy to the considerable appeal of being involved with a well-established, reputable company that not only offers a quality product and solid business support, but also provides a sense of security for franchisees.

With a long-term goal to evolve into a global brand and grow the business by 50 per cent within the first quarter of 2007, Baguette Express is already on track with imminent plans to open another two shops, in Kirkcaldy in March and in Coatbridge in April, in addition to the landmark opening of their first shop in England later this year.