May 2013
2 posts
3 tags
Franchise review to introduce “good faith...
From : smartcompany.com.au
By : Cara Waters
The long awaited publication on Friday of the government’s review of the Franchising Code of Conduct has been welcomed by the franchising sector.
The Franchise Council of Australia and the Franchise Advisory Centre have both backed the 18 recommendations in the review conducted by franchising expert Alan Wein.
The major change pushed...
4 tags
Retail Food Group’s social media hub set to up the...
From : Smartcompany.com.au By : Michelle Hammond
Franchisors look set to face increasing pressure from franchisees to implement social media polices, after Retail Food Group established a “social media command centre”.
Jason Gehrke, director of the Franchise Advisory Centre, told StartupSmart it is important for every franchisor to maintain a strong social media presence.
But...
April 2013
5 posts
3 tags
NZ franchise The Coffee Guy pours into Australian...
From : startupsmart.com.au By : Michelle Hammond
New Zealand-founded franchise The Coffee Guy is looking to establish up to 200 mobile coffee vans in Australia, six months after being acquired by Retail Food Group.
The Coffee Guy, founded in New Zealand in 2005, has grown to include more than 50 mobile vans, two drive-through stores and one standalone kiosk.
In November last year,...
2 tags
Franchise sector awaits code review...
From : smartcompany.com.au By : Jason Gehrke
Submissions to the current review of the Franchising Code of Conduct are now online, and make for interesting reading. Out of 73 submissions lodged with the inquiry, the majority have been published except for approximately 13 submissions that were lodged in confidence.
If the number of submissions received is any indication of satisfaction...
5 tags
Rich Lister Jack Cowin faces massive capital gains...
From : smartcompany.com.au By : Patrick Stafford
Fast food entrepreneur Jack Cowin is in trouble again, with new reports indicating he may be headed to court with accounting firm Deloitte over a massive capital gains tax bill.
The rumour comes days after reports indicated Cowin was in the process of finding buyers for several of his company’s KFC restaurants, as part of a deal...
1 tag
Start-up PharmaChoice vows to take on iSelect via...
From : startupsmart.com.au By : Michelle Hammond
Health insurance comparison start-up PharmaChoice has vowed to take on iSelect as it embarks on an ambitious franchise-based launch in 500 pharmacies across Australia, ahead of a potential $2.5 million venture capital round in order to fuel its growth.
The Sydney-based venture, founded by Anthony Huxley earlier this year, allows...
What happens if my franchisor goes bust or sells...
From : franchising.net.au By: Tim roth
Is it the end of the world? No, however it is unsettling to franchisees and can affect the brand.
It is often the case that franchisees are attracted to a franchise brand or system by the enthusiasm and vision of the founder.
The founder may be quite hands on, meet and approve franchisees and take a direct role and interest in supporting the...
March 2013
5 posts
2 tags
The salad servers
From : franchising.net.au By : Sarah Stowe
SumoSalad launched its healthy eating concept. The quest continues.
“Ten years is a huge milestone. I remember making winter soup by hand in our first store. When we started we said “Imagine if we get to 100 stores” as a bit of a joke, we never really thought it would transpire. It’s well and truly exceeded our expectations.”
Luke...
5 tags
Large scale expansion on the cards for Baskin...
From : franchise.net.au
By : Brea Carter
Dunkin’s Brands Group, Inc (DBI) has teamed up with Galadari Brothers (GB), the parent company of Galadari Ice Cream Co., to expand its Baskin-Robbins brand.
The two companies have signed a master franchise joint venture that will see approximately 200 new Baskin Robbins stores open across Australia in the next 10 years.
It has taken Dunkin...
2 tags
Franchise group pleased by Australian ‘coffee shop...
From : ausfoodnews.com.au By : Sophie Langley
Bakery franchise Michel’s Patisserie says winning the title Australian ‘Coffee Shop of the Year’ for the second year running recognises the hard work of its franchisees and team members.
The Michel’s Patisserie franchise network is owned and managed by ASX-listed Retail Food Group (RFG), Australia’s largest multi-food franchisor. RFG also...
3 tags
Secret Recipe collapses after investors spent $7...
From : startupsmart.com.au By : Cara Waters
Malaysian café franchise Secret Recipes has gone into administration, putting into jeopardy ambitious expansion plans in Australia.
Secret Recipes has 240 cafés in eight countries including Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand and China and expanded to Australia with six Melbourne locations.
But the business failed to catch on in Australia and...
5 tags
US burger brand targets Australia for 300 outlets
From : franchise.net.au
By : Sarah Stowe
American fast food chain Carl’s Jr. has plans to extend its footprint to Australia, with an ambitious 300 store strategy for the next 10 to 15 years.
Expansion into Australia would be pivotal in doubling the chain’s international presence to more than 1,000 restaurants in the next five years.
The burger chain, famous for its edgy...
February 2013
14 posts
4 tags
Opinions split on need for franchising code review
From : brw.com.au
The code that monitors the conduct of operators in the franchise sector is under review again and it’s hoped that this time it will help put to bed disputes giving the $131 billion sector a bad name.
Troubles between franchisees and franchisors have been well publicised in recent years. In 2010, the owners of Seal-A-Fridge were found to have acted unconscionably by the...
8 tags
BRW Releases the 2013 Fast Franchise List
From : brw.com.au
BRW have released their 2013 Fast Franchise List
The top 5 are
1. Laser Clinics Australia
2. Jetts Fitness
3. Anytime Fitness
4. OPSM
5. Zambrero
Click to read the entire “BRW fast franchises 2013 list”
2 tags
Jetts fitness group opens 200th club
From : franchise.net.au Br : Sarah Stowe
The Jetts health and fitness group has reached a significant milestone with the unveiling of its 200th club and has plans for 50 more this year.
The latest outlet in Brisbane comes just six years after opening the chain’s first club in 2007.
Adrian McFedries, Jetts Group managing director, said “We have an outstanding team of people...
5 tags
Metcash goes to market with new fresh food...
From : startupsmart.com.au By : Michelle Hammond
Wholesale distribution company Metcash is ramping up its fight against supermarket giants Coles and Woolworths, after launching a new food franchise called Harvest Market.
Harvest Market offers consumers high-quality fruit and vegetables in addition to a delicatessen, a continental grocery, bulk goods and fresh flowers.
The network of...
3 tags
Australia Post's franchising hopes shattered as...
From : smartcompany.com.au By : Yolanda Redrup
Australia Post is in a battle with a former franchisee, John Christensen, in the Federal Court tomorrow over an agreement the company had with the Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union of Australia to limit their number of franchises.
In 2006, Australia Post announced plans to convert 150 branches into franchises within four to...
4 tags
Fitness franchise links with Costco for membership...
From : franchise.net.au By : Sarah Stowe
The Plus Fitness 24/7 chain of franchised gyms has linked with American discount warehouse business Costco in its bid to grow gym membership.
Costco Wholesale, the seventh largest retailer worldwide, has launched the brand into its Ticketed Item sales in Australia.
Nigel Miller, co-founder of Plus Fitness, said “To align ourselves with...
4 tags
Franchisee coalition outlines wish list for...
From : startupsmart.com.au By : Michelle Hammond
The National Franchisee Coalition has outlined its wish list for the federal government’s review of the Franchising Code of Conduct, including a specific definition of good faith and measures to combat the issue of “churning”.
The NFC, which was set up to support fair and ethical franchising, wants the notion of good faith to be...
1 tag
Secret Recipe franchise collapses after investors...
From : smartcompany.com.au By : Cara Waters
Malaysian café franchise Secret Recipes has gone into administration, putting into jeopardy ambitious expansion plans in Australia.
Secret Recipes has 240 cafés in eight countries including Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand and China and expanded to Australia with six Melbourne locations.
But the business failed to catch on in Australia and...
2 tags
Salsa’s Fresh Mex Grill to open sixth WA store
From : franchise.net.au By : Brea Cater
Salsa’s Fresh Mex Grill will open a new store at Mount Lawley in Western Australia on 11 February, bringing its total number of Australia-wide stores to 38.
The store will be the company’s first “casual dining” restaurant in Perth, where diners can choose to eat-in or take away.
It will employ 25 Mount Lawley locals and offer the...
1 tag
Ice cream franchise loses flavour
From : geelongadvertiser.com.au By : Margaret Linley
Another CBD business will close its doors but the reason has less to do with its CBD position and more to do with franchising arrangements.
Baskin and Robbins franchisees Dion and Lorraine Parmenter will close their Ryrie St ice cream shop on February 18.
“People are thinking, ‘Oh, you’re another victim, another...
1 tag
Expansion on the cards for US medical and...
From : Franchise.net.au By : Sarah Stowe
The US based medical and home healthcare franchise BrightStar Care has announced that it plans to expand into the Australian market.
Formed in 2002 as a family business, BrightStar care franchisees offer medical and non-medical services including homecare for adults and the elderly and childcare.
It also provides businesses including hospitals,...
The good and bad of franchise rebates
From : smartcompany.com.au By : Jason Gehrke
Rebates are often considered to be a grey area in franchising where franchisors and franchisees can easily differ on the need for rebates, their amount, and their purpose.
Potential franchisees are given information about rebates in a franchisor’s disclosure document, but this is limited to a list of suppliers who pay rebates to the...
3 tags
The Coffee Club opens 40th New Zealand outlet
From : franchise.net.au By : Sarah Stowe
The Coffee Club New Zealand has just celebrated its 40th store opening, with the new Stoddard Road store opening its doors in Mt. Roskill, Auckland.
This latest launch comes just weeks after a run of new store openings for the New Zealand based and owned group, with new outlets in Ellerslie, Manukau, Taupo, Silverdale and Wairau Valley.
Brad...
The break-up: What happens when franchises go...
From : startupsmart.com.au By : Leon Gettler
A franchise has often been compared to a marriage. Franchisor and franchisee have a close working relationship built on trust and mutual respect.
But just as some marriages break down in divorce, there are times when franchisees and franchisors get caught up in costly disputes.
All sorts of issues might come up. A franchisee could say the...
January 2013
15 posts
3 tags
ACCC's franchise complaints increasing
From : Franchise.net.au By : Sarah Stowe
The latest report from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission reveals a big increase in complaints within the franchising sector.
From July to December 2012 the ACCC received 454 complaints, up significantly from the 271 complaints registered in the January to June 2012 period.
The figures are released in the most recent Small...
4 tags
New owner for franchising expos in Australia
From : franchise.net.au By : Sarah Stowe
The Franchising & Business Opportunities Expo has a new owner who is promising to return the event to its rightful place as the pre-eminent showcase for franchisors, service suppliers and potential franchisees.
Specialised Events has acquired the expo from Diversified Exhibitions, who launched it back in 1987.
The new owner is a small...
5 tags
Australia: Franchise agreement?: Rafferty v...
From : mondaq.com By : Ed Browne, Chris Verebes and Carla Sibbison
The recent Federal Court decision of Rafferty v Madgwicks highlights the need to take care when drafting heads of agreement and agreements relating to the licence of trademarks or distribution of goods or services and consider whether the agreement could be construed as a franchise agreement. Getting it wrong can be very...
5 tags
The Yanks are coming again: Diner chain Denny's...
From : smartcompany.com.au By : Patrick Stafford
The Americans are coming back.
A few years after a slew of American companies started arriving on Australian shores, more franchises are searching for operators to escape glum economic conditions and seek a safer trading environment.
The popular diner chain Denny’s, one of the largest and most successful brands in the United...
4 tags
Franchise association to shift focus as executive...
From : startupsmart.com.au By : Michelle Hammond
The Franchise Council of Australia has flagged a shift in focus following the resignation of executive director Steve Wright, who has been commended for his “tremendous” contribution.
FCA deputy chairman Stephen Giles told StartupSmart Wright resigned “about a month ago” after working for the council for five years.
“He made a...
4 tags
Slow, steady growth to continue for franchising in...
From : franchisingexpo.co.nz
Franchise businesses will grow at a slightly slower pace in 2013 than in 2012, yet the industry will continue to outpace growth in other business sectors, according to an IHS Global Insight report prepared for the International Franchise Association Educational Foundation (IFAEF).
Compared to 2012, ‘The Franchise Business Economic Outlook: 2013’ forecasts very...
2 tags
Eagle Boys takes stake in Degani Bakery Café chain
From : Franchise.net.au By : Brea Carter
The private equity firm that owns and operates the Eagle Boys franchise, NBC Capital, has taken a stake in the Degani Bakery Café chain.
Established in 2000, the Victorian-based bakery café chain has grown from one store at Melbourne’s Clifton Hill to a total of 57 stores, four of which are located in Rockhampton and operate under a licensee...
3 tags
ACCC takes Abel Rent a Car to court
From : franchise.net.au By : Brea Carter
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is taking the operators of Brisbane based car and truck hire company Abel Rent a Car to court over misleading advertising claims.
The ACCC has said that the company, which is owned by Nonchalant Pty Ltd, failed to include additional mandatory fees, such as a vehicle registration recovery...
2 tags
Sumo Salad co-founder James Miller dies from...
From : startupsmart.com.au By : Michelle Hammond
Australian entrepreneur James Miller, who co-founded food franchise Sumo Salad before turning his attention to the re-launch of old Sydney pubs, has died of a suspected drug overdose.
Miller, who was believed to be 38, studied at the University of Canberra before moving to Sydney to work at a small internet service provider.
He founded...
1 tag
Unhappy Pie Face franchisees to sue
From : franchise.net.au By : Brea Carter
Three Pie Face franchisees plan on lodging a multi-million dollar lawsuit against the cafe and bakery chain, claiming they were misled over costs and profits.
According to the Australian Financial Review the franchisees claim to have lost a total of two million dollars from their investment.
Speaking to the AFR, Prit Dutta, franchisee, Pie Face...
2 tags
Franchise on the brink? Top tips to fight back
From : theage.com.au By : David Wilson
CONGRATULATIONS, you bought a franchise. Now, in theory at least, you have the resources to compete with big business.
But suppose that your commercial marriage does not run to plan. Suppose you flounder and begin regretting investing in the $130 billion industry. Don’t get stressed: here are 10 top fighting tips.
Seek top-tier support. If...
2 tags
FRANCHISE ‘GOOD FAITH’ PROVISIONS UNDER REVIEW
From : brw.com.au By : Ben Hurley
The head of the federal government’s review into franchising conduct codes will re-examine the fraught issue of whether franchise groups owe their franchisees any “good will” when deciding whether to renew a franchise agreement.
Alan Wein, a lawyer and entrepreneur, says he will examine whether more rules are needed to prevent franchise groups...
5 tags
Franchise code review head tells SmartCompany what...
From : smartcompany.com.au By : Patrick Stafford
The head of the federal government’s review of the franchising code of conduct says while he comes to the job with no pre-conceived ideas for what should change, topics such as bargaining in good faith, disclosure rules and mediation are all priorities for review.
In an interview with SmartCompany this morning, lawyer and small business...
5 tags
Joyce beds down kitchen franchise
From : thewest.com.au By : Peter Williams
The publicly listed owner of the Bedshed franchise plans to move into the kitchen renovation business by taking a majority stake in a Queensland-based retailer.
Joyce Corporation has signed a heads of agreement to invest in the privately-owned KWB Group, which trades under the retail brands Kitchen Connection and Wallspan Kitchens and...
4 tags
“I’ve suffered $1 million in losses”: Pie Face...
From : startupsmart.com.au By : Michelle Hammond
A group of Pie Face franchisees are preparing to sue the company for millions of dollars, with one franchisee alleging that undisclosed costs were a key factor in the underperformance of his stores.
Pie Face, founded in 2003 by former investment banker Wayne Homschek and his wife Betty Fong, sells savoury and sweet gourmet pies along...
December 2012
12 posts
6 tags
Cibo Espresso joins Boost Juice and Salsa's
From : franchising.net.au By : Sarah Stowe
Retail Zoo, the umbrella franchisor of Boost Juice Bars and Salsa’s Fresh Mex Grill, has partnered with coffee bar franchise Cibo Espresso to help grow the business. The 12 year old premium espresso bar chain has 20 sites in South Australia and two in Queensland.
Retail Zoo CEO Jeff Allis said “Our vision is to help young...
2 tags
Jardin Fresh Life to offer franchisees a fresh...
From : startupsmart.com.au By : Michelle Hammond
The Australian branch of global food retailer Spar has opened its first Jardin Fresh Life store in Queensland, with managing director Lou Jardin revealing there are plans to franchise the brand.
Spar, founded in Holland in 1932 by Adriaan Van Well, is the world’s largest supermarket chain, linking independent wholesalers and retailers...
1 tag
Kiwi franchise SnorePro to roll out Australia-wide
From : startupsmart.com.au By : Michelle Hammond
New Zealand-based franchise SnorePro has included Australia in its international expansion strategy, revealing plans to roll out up to 55 Australian franchises over the next 12 months.
SnorePro, which has been operating in New Zealand for 25 years, is a drug-free solution that helps stop snoring.
The device, which is placed over the...
2 tags
McDonald's outlets to slash electricity bill with...
From : Franchising.net.au By : Sarah Stowe
McDonald’s restaurants in Queensland are preparing for the New Year by taking on an initiative which will help them slash thousands from their electricity bill.
Restaurants at Arana Hills and Brookside have just signed up to have LED (light emitting diode) lighting installed before Christmas, reducing energy costs by as much as 70 percent.
...
2 tags
How I turned my fitness company into a franchise
From : smartcompany.com.au By : Patrick Stafford
Nigel Miller and John Fuller had a good thing going with their Plus Fitness chain of gyms. But in 2008, the company noticed things deteriorating in the fitness space and decided to move their club towards a 24-hour model – and franchise the entire thing.
It was a good move, with the company now turning over about $8 million a year. But...
3 tags
Ex-Starbucks Coffee MD is new CEO at The Coffee...
From : franchising.net.au By : Sarah Stowe
The Coffee Club has appointed the former managing director of Starbucks Coffee Australia as its chief executive officer.
Jason Ball joins The Coffee Club Group after spending the past four years heading up the American coffee chain in Australia. He has also held roles with Eagle Boys Pizza and Pizza Hut in both the Australian and New Zealand...
4 tags
Tulla grip on SumoSalad adds dressing to network
From : theaustralian.com.au By : Michael Bennet
The Tulla Group, an investment firm backed by one of Australia’s wealthiest families, has taken a controlling stake in healthy fast food group SumoSalad, as one of the hottest trends in franchising continues to attract increasing investor interest.
The deal will see SumoSalad triple its network to 300 stores and expand the quick...
5 tags
Optus concentrates on home-brand retail and drops...
From : smartcompany.com.au By :Patrick Stafford
The nation’s second largest telco has now dropped yet another third-party deal from its ranks, with Optus abandoning a content deal with retail arm Allphones to instead focus on its own home-grown stores.
The move is a blow to the solidly-performing Allphones, whose parent company was recently snapped up by Canadian group Glentel.
The...
2 tags
Mortgage Choice Financial Planning opens first...
From : Franchising.net.au
By : Sarah Stowe
The first franchisees in the Mortgage Choice Financial Planning network have opened their doors for business with Brisbane-based Kayla White, and Fairien Azeem in Sydney, trailblazing the brand extension.
Azeem has been co-owner with her husband of a Mortgage Choice franchise for 14 years. She gained her financial planning qualifications and...
