Fast fit retailer HiQ has announced it intends to double the number of its franchise outlets and create 500 jobs through a national franchise programme over the next three years.

The Goodyear Dunlop franchise chain, which currently has 137 centres across England and Wales, wants 275 outlets by 2012.

Such coverage will allow to challenge the dominance of the market leading fast fit suppliers.

“The objective is to grow the business with new open points in towns and cities,” said HiQ retail director Juergen Titz.

“The plan is to get 170 centres by the end of 2009 and 275 by 2012.

“The franchisee network is investing more than £2 million into improved customer environments in 2009 and this award winning franchise concept will increase transparency and certainty for our customers.”

The company has already grown its nationwide tyre and vehicle servicing network by signing long-term franchise agreements in 2008 when 106 parent company owned HiQ centres were franchised.

In total, 41 franchisees are now operating 137 HiQ centres, compared to just 15 franchisees operating 33 centres in 2007.

In addition to its expansion plans, the company has invested in developing a training programme for its employees.

“To promise fast fit you can be sure of requires significant investment and a clear understanding of our core beliefs within our franchise business structure,” added Titz.

“We know that franchisees are aligned with this belief which is key in out-performing our competitors.”