Boards firm Agency Express has been named as the UK’s best franchise company.

The firm has won the British Franchise Association/HSBC Franchise of the Year – following in the footsteps of the likes of McDonald’s and Domino’s Pizzas.

Agency Express claims to be the UK’s largest provider of specialist estate agency board services.

Through its network of franchise operators, Agency Express services and maintains over 40% of all UK estate agency boards, completing over 90,000 visits to properties every month.

The judges highly commended Agency Express for its commitment to technological innovation, delivered in the form of SignMaster3, its online business management tool, and admired its attention to ethical franchising.

Cathryn Hayes, head of business support for the BFA, said: “From a group of finalists that demonstrated the highest standards and practices, Agency Express stood out for an unsurpassed focus on the work/life balance and livelihoods of their franchisees.

“Continual improvements to systems and support, with a focus on technological innovations, have resulted in significant impact on the performance and efficiency of franchisee businesses, whilst the franchisor has borne all development costs.

“Regular finalists in recent years, this is a business worthy of taking home the highest accolade a UK franchise business can achieve.”

Agency Express managing director, and ex-estate agent, Stephen Watson said the award represented the pinnacle of success for the 17-year-old firm.

He added: “At Agency Express we are committed to the growth and development of our business, but most importantly as a franchisor we have a responsibility to support the needs and welfare of our franchisees.”