This article appeared in Issue 3#4 (May/June 2009) of Business Franchise Australia & New Zealand
Crust wins healthy eating award
Crust Gourmet Pizza Bars were recently recognised in Slimming & Health magazine’s Healthy Eating Awards for 2009.
Crust’s Gluten Free takeaway pizzas and range of six Heart Foundation Tick approved Pizzas were voted by readers to be winner of the Allergy-Free category, and highly commended in the New Healthy Food category respectively.
The Slimming & Health Healthy Eating Awards recognise the tastiest and healthiest food products across 38 categories. The award is in its fifth year and continues to grow, with over 6,400 votes cast by readers of the magazine in 2008.
Costa Anastasiadis, founder and managing director of Crust Gourmet Pizza Bars is delighted with the wins, commenting that Crust has always aimed to provide customers with healthier, high quality pizzas.
“We’ve built Crust on the basis of being a higher quality, healthier choice of takeaway and have always prided ourselves on being sensitive to our customers’ needs”, says Costa.
“The feedback we have from customers on both our Gluten Free and Tick approved menus has been fantastic, and these awards are further testament to the fact that there is a growing market for healthier takeaway foods.”
Crust is a certified member of the Coeliac Society of Australia, and in 2006 became one of the first takeaway pizza chains to offer gluten free bases. In February 2008, Crust also became the first takeaway pizza brand to earn the Heart Foundation Tick of approval, and remains the only takeaway pizza operator to carry the Tick today.
Howards Storage World continues international expansion
Howards Storage World has secured a Master Franchisee for the Benelux region of Europe, which encompasses Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxemburg.
The first store will open in October 2009 in Waterloo, Belgium. There are plans to open 30 stores in Belgium and 50 in The Netherlands over the next 10 years.
Managing Director of the Benelux Master Franchise, Michel Dusausoy comments, “I first discovered Howards Storage World at the Belgium franchising fair in April 2008. I was excited by this unique Australian concept and realised there was space in the Benelux market for a brand that specialised in home storage solutions.”
Co-founder and joint CEO, Dirk Spence, says Howards’ worldwide expansion signals the brand’s international market relevance and commercial viability.
“The introduction of the brand into the Benelux region is an exciting addition to our international portfolio and we’re very impressed by the professionalism of our new Benelux partners. We look forward to seeing this great Australian concept reach its full potential in Benelux,” says Dirk Spence.
“The international expansion programme benefits all franchisees, including the Australian and New Zealand stores, as it further strengthens the brand and opens up broader product sourcing opportunities. We are highly focused on delivering a dynamic and interesting product mix to market within our specialty offer”, he said.
The Howards Storage World franchise began in 1997 with the first store in Northbridge, Sydney, owned by Les and Edda Howard. Today the business has grown to 63 stores throughout Australia and 80 stores internationally, including New Zealand, Spain, Singapore, Ireland and the GCC Territories in the Middle East (including Dubai and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia).
New Editor for Business Franchise
Publisher of Business Franchise magazine, CGB Publishing Pty Ltd, has promotedto the role of Editor.
Colin Bradbury, who remains publisher and owner of CGB Publishing, comments on Donna’s appointment: “As the no. 1 global publishers of franchise publications, the development and grooming of the Editor role is a proven formula, which Donna has absorbed with energy and enthusiasm.
“Donna has developed a string of industry leading articles that set the standard for the franchise consumer media and is respected throughout the industry for championing the needs of franchisees. The beacon is passed with confidence.”
Expanding on CGB’s impressive network of contributing writers, Donna has developed her own franchising contacts. Liaising personally with many individuals, she is a regular attendee of FCA events and has established a good rapport with franchisors, franchisees and suppliers.
Equally delighted about her new role, Donna comments, “Under Colin’s guidance over the last 12 months, I have become responsible for editorial content for Business Franchise, as well as CGB’s annual Franchise Guide and Franchise Directory.
“I thank Colin for this exciting opportunity and look forward to the challenges ahead, while expanding on both my writing and publishing experiences.”
Fastway Couriers grant franchise to Apple Isle locals
Local mum and daughter team, Cindy and Zoe Holden, have been granted the right to operate Fastway Couriers’ newest regional franchise in Launceston, Tasmania.
Affectionately known by Fastway’s Australia wide network as the ‘Launceston Lovelies’, this dynamic duo will operate two facilities (in Ulverstone and Launceston), totalling 1,400sqm and delivering in excess of 4,500 parcels each and every week!
Commenting on the decision to embark on this mammoth business venture and become part of the world’s largest courier franchise organisation, Cindy Holden (aka ‘Mum’) says, “We were drawn to Fastway for the simple reason that their success has been built off the back of their ability to offer a true local service”, says the 49-year-old Shearwater resident. “In that Regional and Courier Franchises are owned and operated by locals.”
Cindy’s 22-year-old daughter and business partner, Zoe Holden, couldn’t agree more, “This commitment from locals, to locals, has been the cornerstone of Fastway’s success and having owned local businesses in the past, this really appealed us”, says the well known member of the Devonport community. “In my opinion, there’s nobody that understands the real needs of a local business quite like a local.”
Established in 1983 in New Zealand and franchising since 1984, Fastway Couriers has over 1,600 franchisees across Australia, NZ, England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Germany, Spain and South Africa.
New CEO at Contours
Contours Women’s Fitness Franchise, one of Australia’s fastest growing franchises, has appointed a new CEO, Justin Wilshaw. Mr Wilshaw joined Contours in January 2009 and has extensive experience operating as a franchisee and franchisor of major franchise brands.
Preceding Mr Wilshaw, Dave Hundt served as Contours CEO from the brand’s inception in 2005 and remains a member of the Board of Directors.
Mr Wilshaw’s vision for Contours over the next 12 months is to continue to expand operations in Australia, with specific focus on Queensland and South Australia. As a priority, he is currently in the process of developing and implementing a five year strategic plan for the business, which will direct growth of the company moving forward. Through this, he aims to deliver improved benefits to members and provide greater return on investment for franchisees.
“I really believe in the franchise model and have seen how the entrepreneurial spirit can drive both individual and corporate success,” said Mr Wilshaw. “Developing this young brand further is a motivating challenge, especially since it is already winning awards for its remarkable expansion.”
Mr Wilshaw was previously a General Manager at Delaware North Companies Australia which focused on travel, entertainment and accommodation. In addition to his current role at Contours, Justin’s franchise experience is vast including positions at Boost Juice and the Burger King Corporation.
Grill’d fires up Sydney
2009 is shaping up to be a year of aggressive expansion for the Australian owned and operated Grill’d. With 23 restaurants currently operating in Victoria and Queensland, Grill’d opened its first Sydney store in Willoughby Road, Crows Nest in late March 2009.
Positioned as your local, healthy burger expert, the Grill’d concept capitalises on increasing consumer demand for nutritious, great tasting and convenient meals.
Born from founder Simon Crowe’s desire to create a decent, healthy hamburger, Grill’d has challenged the cookie cutter model that dominates Australia’s fast food industry since launching in March 2004.
By year end, Crowe expects to be operating 40 restaurants across Victoria, Queensland and New South Wales – a mixture of company owned and franchised stores.
Unfazed by the economic downturn, Crowe instead points recent sales growth as an indicator of the company’s recession proof appeal.
“Summer 08/09 was a record trading period for us in both Victoria and Queensland, with the majority of restaurants smashing their individual sales records.
“Grill’d is well placed to benefit from tighter economic conditions in 2009, as consumers trade down from full service to convenient restaurants with a strong value proposition. We are well regarded in this space, particularly amongst young families looking for convenient, quality and nutritious meal solutions,” says Crowe.
FCA SHAVE (and WAX!) FOR A CAUSE
Franchise Careers’ Managing Director Dean Salomone and Quest Apartments’ Peter Fiasco, along with the entire Brazilian Butterfly network, helped to raise more than $13,000 for the Leukaemia Foundation after taking part in the World’s Greatest Shave in March.
Dean and Peter agreed to be ‘taken to’ with the shaver and hot wax at the recent Victorian State Chapter monthly breakfast.
National Franchise Brazilian Butterfly founder Tania Farrar was the driver of the promotion and their stores nationally helped to contribute to the total sum raised.
At an entertaining Victorian FCA breakfast, Dean had his chest waxed in front of the hundreds who attended, while Peter had his head shaved by Tania.
“While Brazilian Butterfly was fantastic in its efforts to promote the cause, I personally saw it as an outstanding strategic charitable partnership opportunity to show the support of the entire FCA Victorian Chapter,” said Dean, also State President of the FCA Victoria.
“I’m very proud of the way that not only Brazilian Butterfly embraced the cause, but also the franchise community in general.
“I’d like to think the motivation to support the whole event had nothing to do with watching myself go through a lot of pain,” Dean joked.
“Seriously though, we were all well aware that it was for a wonderful cause and it was great that franchising in Victoria could play its part,” Dean said.
Snap Printing ready for NZ take off
Snap Printing is making Kiwis snap-happy by becoming the first national Print Partner for Air New Zealand’s Airpoints™ Loyalty Program.
Australasia’s largest printing and design services company is offering customers the opportunity to earn Air New Zealand Airpoints Dollars™ when they buy business print and design.
Snap Printing NZ’s Master Franchisor, Brian Sutton, said this partnership aims to reward its loyal customers.
“Snap Printing customers at any of our five centres (Downtown, Newton, East Tamaki, North Harbour and Tauranga) can now earn one Air New Zealand Airpoints DollarsTM for every $100 spent on business print and design (with a $200 minimum purchase).
“Snap Printing Australia have a similar arrangement with Qantas but we chose to partner with Air New Zealand because it is the airline of choice for New Zealanders and we share similar values, both being focused on providing quality services and valuing our customers.”
As one of Australasia’s first successful franchise networks with over 40 years of experience in the printing industry, Snap Printing has been franchising since 1979. Wholly Australian owned, Snap Printing has over 150 owner-operated centres in Australia and a growing presence through franchising in China, New Zealand and Ireland.
New National Manager for NAB Franchise Banking
The National Australia Bank (NAB) has appointed Darryn McAuliffe as National Manger, NAB Franchise Banking. Darryn takes over the role from Barry Thatcher who has recently become Managing Partner, Victoria for NAB Education and Community Business.
Barry will be missed within the franchise sector for his passion, enthusiasm and his focus on the people aspect of the business.
Darryn will take over in driving NAB’s team of accredited franchise bankers around Australia, and will be responsible for the ongoing accreditation of franchise systems across Australia and managing key relationships. He will also further enhance the franchise banking strategy and distribution model, including its expansion into rural areas. Above all, Darryn will be ensuring all NAB’s customers within the franchising sector are having their needs met with tailored financial solutions.
Darryn’s breadth of experience and achievement across numerous sales and risk roles positions him well to managing NAB’s Franchise Banking team and strategy.
“I’m looking forward to working with my new and dedicated Franchise Banking team to first and foremost ensure that the needs of our customers and sector partners are well serviced,” Darryn said.
“The Franchising sector continues to grow in Australia and I look forward to supporting and enhancing that growth through my role and working with our industry partners.”
Ali Baba celebrates 30 years
Australian grown K’Bab™ & Wrap king Ali Baba first opened its doors in Woden in March 1979. 30 years, 9 million kilos of meat and 53 million loaves of Lebanese bread later, it has sold over 30 million K’Babs™, freshly grilled wraps and grilled platters to customers across Australia, and is now the largest franchise of its kind in the country.
30 years has seen the Ali Baba franchise grow from a one-store operation dine-in restaurant to a thriving operation of 60 outlets across New South Wales, Victoria, the ACT and Queensland.
Since its establishment, the Ali Baba menu has evolved from its original offering Grilled Platters, the Beef Shawerma and Falafel K’Bab, to a range of fresh and delicious meals including Chicken and Lamb K’BabTM, Freshly Grilled Wraps, Low Fat Grilled Bowls and other Mediterranean-inspired dishes.
Ali Baba is 100% Australian owned, with all produce sourced from local Australian farmers and growers. Ali Baba owns a state-of-the-art multimillion dollar executive kitchen and production operation in Sydney that has capacity to supply 400 franchises.
Set to increase its stores by 100% over the next few years, Ali Baba is also looking for franchisees that are passionate about quality.