Some of the best business ideas occur in the least likely circumstances. Such is the case for Jorge Fernández Amoedo, who's brainwave for the Kiosco24 concept occurred while visiting a friend in hospital. "I wanted to buy something to read just to pass the time, but there was nowhere I could get anything," he explains. "I began thinking about vending machines and, after a period of development, patented the Kiosco24 concept."

The Kiosco24 franchise concept is based around a range of patented automatic magazine and newspaper vending machines which provide a versatile business concept that can target the impulse buyer. "The newstrade is a traditionally impulse-spend sector," Amoedo reflects. "The arrangements of magazines upon newsstands is as carefully organised as the layouts of supermarkets - and publishers pay a premium for the best positions. However, news outlets are still destination outlets rather than impulse ones...what Kiosco24 enables franchisees to do is exploit the impulses that drive much of the sector's turnover."

Following a studied design that allows them to be situated almost anywhere, the machines feature a front panel that may be used for publications or publicity, and are protected by a robust, rust-resistant metal case designed for covered outside locations. The machines are networked through a computerised system allowing the franchisee to remotely manage stock control, and have been situated in locations as diverse as petrol stations, hospitals, residential zones, gyms, camp sites, hotels, supermarkets, airport and rail stations. "We have recently developed an additional income stream through advertising panels on the sides of the machines," Amoedo reports (see picture, left). "We are targeting small companies, restaurants, cinemas, clothing shops, supermarkets, etc., although some larger brands have also taken space."

The concept was piloted by the company for two years before national franchise expansion across Spain began in 1998, and in six years the brand has built a network of 405 franchisees. Franchisees operate by locating and stocking multiple newspaper and magazine vending machines within their own exclusive territories, using the machines' remote management capabilities to plan the most time-efficient stocking routes every day and altering selections and positioning to maximise revenue streams. "Automated press sales are achieving continuous growth," Amoedo observes. "With time in modern society at a premium, a concept that facilitates convenience and speed is necessary and has a very exciting future. The newsagency industry has been the same for a long time, but now Kiosco24's entrance has instigated big reforms."

The brand is now developing outside Spain through master and area development franchise agreements, with initial expansion already having taken place in Italy, the Canary Islands, and most recently Portugal. "We are assessing each market individually to ascertain the best method for development," Amoedo explains. "We have already achieved success in the Canary Islands, where our area development franchisee has placed 20 machines within a year. We are now supporting our Italian master franchisee to develop a sub-franchised network. We made nearly 250 contacts and closed agreements to expand our local network at a vending exhibition there this April to help him get off to a good start, and we have very promising expectations."

Kiosco24's next target market is the UK, and the company will be exhibiting at the National Franchise Exhibition in October. "This is the first time that we are going to be present at an exhibition in the UK and we are looking forward to making our first contact with the British market," Amoedo reflected before the event.

Other European markets are also being actively targeted, and the company is seeking potential master franchisees from further afield. "We will provide all the necessary training and support to enable a master franchisee to develop a sub-franchised network, and really capture a market," Amoedo relates. "The originality of the concept and the lack of competition make this an exciting proposition and, though it takes time for people to change their buying habits, the convenience and reliability of the machines converts many customers quickly."