The challenge
Cook Stars is a multi-location children’s cookery franchise delivering classes, parties, workshops and school and community sessions for children and teenagers.
As the network grew, Cook Stars needed a platform that could support the whole operation rather than simply take bookings.
The system needed to work across:
- Multiple franchise areas.
- Different age groups and class formats.
- Classes, workshops and parties.
- Customers and parents.
- Franchisee operations.
- Payments and reporting.
The approach
Cook Stars began using FranScape in July 2024. The platform was introduced across the full Cook Stars network.
This was a FranScape platform implementation. Accelerate was not involved in this period, so the case study focuses on the operational and commercial value of FranScape itself.
FranScape provided Cook Stars with one connected system for:
- Customer bookings and accounts.
- Payment collection.
- Franchisee operations.
- Network reporting.
- Head-office visibility.
- Multiple class, workshop and party formats.
The results
The Cook Stars gateway data shows a substantial increase in full-network payment volume processed through FranScape.
| Month | Network Sales |
|---|---|
| July 2024 | £38,932 |
| September 2026 | £112,557 |
That represents:
- Approximately £73,625 more monthly gateway volume.
- Approximately 189% growth across the period.
- Almost 2.9× the July 2024 monthly volume.
- A six-figure monthly payment network by September 2026.
The data covers the full Cook Stars network.
Gateway volume means payment volume processed through FranScape. It is not presented as FranScape revenue, profit or a claim that FranScape alone caused the network growth.
Supporting a broad operating model
Cook Stars supports children from preschool through to teenagers, with Minis, Juniors and Academy sessions. The business also offers online classes, cooking parties, workshops, events and work with schools and community organisations.
That range creates operational complexity. Different services have different customers, schedules, prices, locations and delivery requirements.
FranScape gives the network one connected operational foundation across those activities.
What changed for Cook Stars
Better booking and customer management
Customers can find and book classes, manage their accounts and interact with the Cook Stars network through a connected system.
More effective payment operations
Payment activity across the full network is processed through FranScape, giving head office a clearer view of commercial activity.
Better franchisee support
Franchisees operate within the same platform and processes, while head office retains visibility across the network.
Faster reporting and oversight
As payment volume grew, Cook Stars had a central view of activity across its areas rather than relying on disconnected local information.
A platform that scales with the network
The gateway data shows the platform supporting Cook Stars as its monthly payment volume moved from approximately £39k to more than £113k.
The network today
Cook Stars’ current public website lists approximately 75 operating areas across the UK. Its franchise materials describe a growing network delivering classes to thousands of children each week.
The business operates across a broad range of customer and delivery formats, including:
- Minis classes for younger children.
- Juniors classes.
- Academy sessions for older children.
- Online classes.
- Cooking parties.
- Workshops and events.
- Schools, community and charity programmes.
Why it matters
Cook Stars did not need a single-purpose booking tool. It needed a platform that could support a growing franchise network with multiple services, customers, franchisees and payment flows.
FranScape gave Cook Stars one connected system across the network and supported payment volume approaching £113k in a single month.
The outcome
Since adopting FranScape in July 2024, Cook Stars has:
- Rolled the platform across the full network.
- Grown monthly gateway volume from approximately £39k to £113k.
- Reached six-figure monthly payment volume.
- Connected customers, bookings and payments in one system.
- Supported franchisee operations across approximately 75 listed operating areas.
- Maintained one platform across classes, parties, workshops and community activity.
