This article appeared in Issue 1#5 (Jul/Aug 2007) of Business Franchise Australia & New Zealand
BOOST JUICE OPENS IN UK
The UK’s first Boost Juice Bar has opened in Manchester and bars in Oxford and Nottingham are scheduled for later this year.
The bars will replicate the Australian experience including product names, recipes and dancing staff. They will operate under a master franchise arrangement backed by the creators of the successful Millie’s Cookies concept, Richard O’Sullivan and Mario Budwig. O’Sullivan recently sold out of Millie’s Cookies to concentrate on expanding Boost Juice Bars throughout the UK.
Boost Juice has over 180 bars in Australia and their international presence already includes Chile, Indonesia, Kuwait and Singapore. Franchises in South Africa, Portugal and Hong Kong are planned for the future.
“We are unashamed in our desire to take our brand globally and be recognised the world over,” said founder, Janine Allis. “It is an audacious goal, but we believe we have a great product and a universal offering that will translate to numerous markets.”
CHIEF CHOOK ENCOURAGES BETTER BUSINESS
The CEO of CHOOKS fresh & tasty, Steve Hansen, has changed his title to Chief Chook to mark a new focus on corporate culture within the company.
The change comes with the renaming of their head office to the CHOOKS Encouragement Centre and is designed to ensure that everything the company does truly reflects its mission, philosophies and values.
“For example, inspections are now called Guiding Reviews and are aimed to achieve exactly that: provide an in-depth analysis that gives our franchisees an internal focus and review to help them run more efficient and profitable businesses,” says Hansen.
“We have always maintained an open door policy which has helped us to succeed because people see that CHOOKS is like a family and is a very warm and welcoming environment to work in.
We are very proud of our community focused organisation that interacts actively with its local members and we believe this refreshing change will support our franchisees to continually be encouraged by one another.”
DIAMOND COMBINES NATURE AND TECHNOLOGY
Diamond International is franchising their Living Matrix Spa concept in Australia.
Living Matrix Spas offer the restoration of beauty, energy and health using a combination of nature and technology. Their non-invasive treatments such as the Diamond Peel, Diamond Dermabrasion and Diamond Contours have already been successful in the global beauty market and franchisees will have access to technology not seen in other spa and beauty studios.
Founders of the Diamond brand, Ronald and Helen Greenberg, believe they are taking the beauty world to new levels. “We create an environment for diamond equipment and products as a showcase, to let people see you don’t have to do anything to harm the skin – that you can have great results with natural rejuvenation,” says Helen.
The treatments are designed as an alternative to cosmetic surgery and don’t involve heat beyond natural body heat or light beyond the visible spectrum.
Master franchise and franchise opportunities are now available globally.
DOMINO’S CEO CELEBRATES 20 YEARS
Don Meij, CEO and managing director of Domino’s Pizza Enterprises, the first publicly-listed pizza chain on the Australian Stock Exchange, started as a Domino’s Pizza delivery driver 20 years ago.
Under Don’s leadership, Domino’s Pizza Enterprises now has 458 stores across Australia and New Zealand. It employs more than 11,000 staff, making more than 50 million pizzas a year.
“Even after 20 years, I still feel there is almost endless potential to develop and grow Domino’s further – with new stores, new markets and new products,” he said.
Don worked his way up to management and then bought his own franchise. Within six years, he and is wife Esme owned 17 stores. They sold these back to Dominos when Don became CEO and part owner of the company.
“Dominos has a culture of promoting talent from within and I’m proud of the fact that the pizza delivery drivers of today may well be the managers and franchisees of tomorrow.”
COMMONWEALTH BANK CHAMPIONS SMALL BUSINESS
The successes of small businesses across the country are to be celebrated through a comprehensive new Awards program launched today by Commonwealth Bank Local Business Banking, Precedent Productions and the Australian Government.
The Australian Small Business Champion Awards are designed to support and recognise the most outstanding small businesses in each state and their contribution to the local community.
As the official Patron of the Awards, Minister for Small Business and Tourism, Fran Bailey, believes the initiative provides the opportunity to demonstrate the depth and breadth of talent in the small business sector and said that Australia needs to champion small business heroes as much as it champions its sporting heroes.
“These awards are an excellent opportunity to champion the success of our vibrant small business sector. In fact, more than 3.7 million jobs are created by small business. I would encourage interested small business owners to participate in this excellent initiative,” said Minister Bailey.
The Australian Small Business Champion Awards program originated from the long-running NSW Small Business Champion of Champion Awards and Commonwealth Bank Local Business Banking has played an integral role in taking these Awards to a national level.
Michael Blomfield, Executive General Manager Local Business Banking, said, “The Australian Small Business Champion Awards acknowledge the dedication and achievements of the small business community across Australia.”
“The Commonwealth Bank is dedicated to supporting Australian business and setting a new standard for the quality of service provided by banks to local businesses. This initiative is just one way in which we are helping to support and reward local and small businesses for their hard work and contribution to the community.”
Precedent Productions Managing Director, Steve Loe, said, “We have been running the NSW Awards program for over eight years and they have become highly regarded among the small business community. Rolling the initiative out at a wider state and national level is a natural progression.”
All small businesses in Australia’s retail, services and manufacturing industries are eligible to enter the Awards¹- there are 31 categories in total. Judging will take place in each state and territory, with all state or territory champions eligible to win the national award in their category. One small business will also win the prestigious national accolade of ‘Small Business Champion Entrepreneur’ and a prize to the value of $40,000, sponsored by the Australian Government.
The Awards are also being supported by CPA Australia, PKF Australia, Quicken and Fairfax Community Newspapers. Entries are now open and will close nationally on 20 July.
For further information about the Australian Small Business Champion Awards visit www.businesschampions.com.au or call the Local Business Banking team on 13 26 07, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
¹ Eligible small businesses include those in retail or service industries with 40 full time employees or less or those in the manufacturing industry with 100 full time employees or less.
MORE BABIES GET INKY FEET
Inky Feet franchises are now available nationally. The business involves decorating tiles, plates, photo frames and cups with the footprints and handprints of babies and young children to create lasting memories for doting parents, grandparents, godparents, aunties and uncles.
According to founders Brenda and Gene Farr, the national birth rate is the highest in 10 years and their bright and funky keepsakes are suitable for many occasions including first birthday, first steps, Mother’s Day and Christmas.
Products range in price from $33 to $69 and franchisees can work from home or travel to visit their clients. Brightly coloured non-toxic paint is applied to the child’s hands or feet and prints are made on the chosen products which are later glazed and fired.
Inky Feet was established in Perth during 2004. The franchise package costs $19,800 and is inclusive of starting stock, training and promotional material.
LIFESTYLE INNOVATIONS LAUNCHES MOBILESTORE
Lifestyle Innovations is taking leisure goods shopping to the workplace with the launch of their MobileStore franchises.
Each MobileStore will offer a range of outdoor and leisure products including gazebos, motorbikes, camping gear, water features, tools, trampolines, air conditioners, fragrances and fitness equipment.
Working business-to-business, franchisees offer a way for employers to enhance the workplace environment by allowing their staff breaks for on-site shopping.
“We see this MobileStore business as a real value add for employers. Similar to the lunch truck that visits each business, the MobileStore now allows employees to take a break, and shop for a range of really cool items,” said director, Scott Brasher.
“The Lifestyle Innovations MobileStore range of products suits both male and female, and we try to make some of the products a little unique.”
MobileStore franchisees can visit any sized business and are supported by corporate and franchisee marketing and sales programs. Territories are now being allocated throughout Australia.
XPRESSO MOBILE TAKES QUALITY TO THE US
Xpresso Mobile franchisors Chris Collings and Darren Schultz are introducing their European-style coffee to California in a bid to bring a more sophisticated coffee culture to the mainstream US market.
“In the States, if you know where to go in the back streets you can find good coffee, but it is not out there like here and in Europe,” said Chris.
Xpresso will start with three vans but plan to have 60 in operation within two years. The vans will follow the Australian model visiting office parks Monday to Friday as well as special events.
With two people operating, quality and speed of delivery are ensured. The barista stays with the van and the salesperson collects orders, floor by floor, continuously texting orders back to the van.
Initially they will offer a larger 16oz serve in the US rather than the standard 12oz Australian serve. Typically, Americans consumer weaker coffee in 24oz serves.
NEW RESPITE CARE FRANCHISE OPPORTUNITY
We Can Respite Services is helping to satisfy the dire need for respite care in Australia.
The business, started in Perth by health care specialists Judith Monteath and Liz Offer, is offering franchises across Australia for people looking for a rewarding career and a solid business opportunity. Franchisees provide temporary or on-going care for people with various intellectual and neurological disabilities and can work in their own home or at a separate location.
“There are thousands of families who are in need of a well-deserved break from caring for their disadvantaged loved ones and the demand for this is increasing more every day,” said Judith.
“No experience is necessary because full training is provided”, said Liz. “The rewards of this profession are boundless. Knowing you can make a difference in the lives of ordinary people, every day, makes the work a privilege and we know there are many like-minded people out there who will be excited by this opportunity.”
MOBILE SUIT HIRE REALLY ON THE MOVE
Australia’s number 1 home based formalwear and suit hire services has proven that it suits more than its clients.
The winners of yet another Australian Bridal Industry Academy award also added to the its nation wide outlets with the recent sale to International Business Opportunities Pty Ltd (IBO) of a pool of 36 exclusive franchise territory outlets.
The IBO acquisition also includes the Master Franchise rights to New Zealand and Brisbane. IBO has also picked up several regional Queensland and New South Wales territories’ operations.
“We are excited about the move into the mobile suit hire business,” said Ross Bridgman MD of IBO. “Having been appointed as the international marketing arm for FormalWear Express in February 2007 and having received rave review about the concept and systems we at IBO saw this move as one that would benefit all parties. By adding to the back-end systems and utilising creative marketing we strongly believe that we are on a winner in the roll-out of this value for money business opportunity,” he said.