As well as recently being recognised as the fourth top franchise opportunity in the UK in this year’s Elite Franchise Top 100 (EF100), Stagecoach had even more to celebrate at the recent awards evening. Their very own Emma Bentley, franchisee of Stagecoach Chichester, was honoured with the EF100 Franchisee Outstanding Achievement 2025 award for her unwavering determination to keep growing her business despite facing health challenges.
Emma’s journey with Stagecoach began in April 2022 when, at just 26 years old, she purchased Stagecoach Chichester. But just five weeks later, life threw her a curveball – Emma was diagnosed with a benign pituitary gland tumour. Instead of letting this diagnosis derail her dreams, Emma leaned on her mum and manager, Karen, to help navigate this difficult period. Together, they have built a thriving business that continues to inspire the next generation of young performers.
“Winning this award is a huge honour and has given me that extra motivation to keep growing our busy, dynamic and creative schools,” said Emma. “It recognises the challenges I have faced in my personal life and is a wonderful way to close a difficult chapter. I want to say a huge thank you to the EF100 for recognising this, and I hope my story encourages other business owners going through a testing time to keep going.”
Emma’s resilience and success over the past three years have now come full circle. From the uncertainty of her diagnosis to standing on stage as an award winner, her journey is a testament to her strength and determination.
“I didn’t know if I had a future when I was diagnosed – I was just focusing on sheer survival, not just for myself but for my business,” explained Emma. “While I’m much better now, the risks are still there. But with the incredible support of my mum, who stepped up when I couldn’t, and the Stagecoach head office, I’ve built a business where every week we welcome children from all different backgrounds and experiences. I’m incredibly proud that we’ve created a safe, inclusive and family-oriented environment where children can thrive and develop creative courage for life.”
The EF100 Franchisee Outstanding Achievement award celebrates franchisees who have shown extraordinary achievement over the past year, transforming their lives through the power of franchising. For Lisa Stead, COO of Stagecoach Performing Arts, Emma’s journey is the perfect embodiment of that spirit.
“Emma’s journey is truly inspiring,” said Lisa. “Her resilience and commitment to her students, her team and her business are a testament to her strength and passion. She has not only overcome immense challenges but has continued to nurture a thriving and inclusive environment where young people can discover their potential. We are incredibly proud of what she has achieved and can’t wait to see her continue to make an impact in her community.”
As one chapter closes, Emma is already looking ahead to the future. “Our schools are thriving, and I can see the potential for new schools in my territory to keep up with the demand and continue this trajectory. I just want to ensure that as many children as possible get to experience what Stagecoach has to offer in my area.”
Emma also hopes her journey inspires others to take the leap into business ownership, no matter what life throws their way. “If my story can encourage even one person to pursue their dreams despite the challenges, then it’s all been worth it.”
For more information about a franchise opportunity with Stagecoach, visit www.stagecoachfranchise.com
Stagecoach Performing Arts star shines bright at EF100
By Charlie Milne | 26th March, 2025
Stagecoach Performing Arts
About Stagecoach Performing Arts: Over the years we have seen more than one million students unlock their potential, which is something they will value for their whole life. At Stagecoach we teach our students so much more than how to sing, dance and act. We help them blossom into well-rounded individuals, ready to embrace life and all its opportunities. With nearly 30 years’ experience in teaching the performing arts, we understand how to get the best out of our young performers. We delight in seeing our students have fun, make friends, learn new skills and discover hidden talents. We encourage them to take ‘safe risks’ through rehearsals and performance, which brings out a willingness to take on new challenges. None of us know what the future holds, which is why it’s so important for today’s children to be resilient, brave and self-assured. Furthermore you can rest assured that your child is in safe hands as we adhere to the strictest child safety policies. About joining Stagecoach as a franchisee: With our 30th birthday in 2018, the Stagecoach model has been proven and refined to become one of the UK’s leading performing arts opportunities. Franchisees build a team of equally passionate and enthusiastic teachers, qualified to bring out the very best in their students. Stagecoach schools provide a thriving, nurturing and supportive environment for creative learning. That’s just one of the reasons why 40,000 children every week flock to classes nationwide. Today, a network of more than 300 franchisees operate over 680 schools offering 1,780 classes in eight countries. Through an exciting and varied framework of teaching and development, franchisees have helped to unlock the potential of more than one million students since it opened in 1988.