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Franchise News – Issue 3#5

This article appeared in Issue 3#5 (July/August 2009) of Business Franchise Australia & New Zealand

Trampoline Gelato celebrates its 5th birthday

Trampoline, the Melbourne born gelato franchise, recently enjoyed a month-long celebration of its fifth birthday, with the opening of its 8th store in Melbourne and the announcement of plans to launch interstate within the next 12 months.

The new store opened in Camberwell on 11 April and will continue Trampoline’s tradition of churning fresh gelato and sorbet on-site every day.  The original blueprint store opened on Melbourne’s famous Brunswick Street in 2004.

The Trampoline concept is based on natural yet surprisingly different gelato flavours, using milk sourced direct from farmers in Gippsland, Victoria. All Trampoline products are made from real ingredients, with no artificial colours or flavourings and always served with a grin.

Grant Crothers, co-founder and CEO of Trampoline and parent company, dairy manufacturer Burra Foods, cut the cake at the Brunswick Street store and said that like other five year olds, Trampoline had found its feet and the time was right for a growth spurt.

“Trampoline’s commitment to high quality product and playful, friendly service has allowed the brand to build in leaps and bounces since we opened in 2004”, said Grant.

“We’ve had great success in metropolitan Melbourne, and built an extremely loyal customer base. Now we believe the time has come to spread our wings and expand our unique brand personality and product interstate”, Grant added.

First on the growth hit-list is the state of Queensland, where the brand will undoubtedly benefit from an extended summer trading period.

“To date we’ve got three franchised stores in operation, and they’re all holding their own, despite Melbourne’s changeable climate, so we’re confident that Trampoline will offer a robust franchise model in other states,” Grant concluded.

Melbourne Retail Expo – 11-13 August 2009

Now in its 10th year, Retail Expo and National Retail Forum 2009, Australia’s largest events for retailers, will bring together every segment of the retail sector under the one roof. The Retail Expo will run 11-13 August with the National Retail Forum 11–12 of August at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Retail Expo and National Retail Forum will explore advances in:

  • Retail Technology
  • Digital Signage
  • Shop fit out and design
  • Security Technology
  • Green building/sustainable Retail

With an expected 250 exhibitors to the Expo plus over 300 delegates to the forum, the events are a must attend for retailers serious about their business. The opportunity to compare products, network with peers and learn from retail experts comes together at these two definitive events.

New at Retail Expo 2009 is Retail 2020 – Store of the Future. This amazing feature will take visitors on a shopping journey to the future. This futuristic store will showcase the latest in fit-out and design, retail technology and on-line innovation.

Industry exhibitor heavyweights include Beonic, Pronto, HP, Sensis, Iconiq, Futura, Checkpoint, Powerfront, Vitag and Wanzl.

1st podiatry franchise opens in NZ

New Zealand’s largest podiatry provider, Foot Mechanics, has 12 clinics throughout the North Island. It intends to expand faster and into more communities, through a franchising model.  Opening in Rotarua on 25 May, this is the first franchise available in New Zealand podiatry.

General Manager and Founder, John Miller, opened his first Foot Mechanics clinic 14 years ago.  He says the timing is right for franchising because New Zealand’s health system is now under more pressure than ever.  He says the Government’s Primary Health Care Strategy creates opportunities for podiatrists, but his company has found there is a level of scale needed to make the most of those openings.

“Our network will improve access to health care”, said Miller.  “We are developing a workforce of competent and committed podiatrists, all focused on supporting the health needs of the communities in which they live.”

Miller says New Zealand has many podiatrists working alone which can be a difficult existence, as there is always pressure to see patients while also running a business.  The aim is to allow those podiatrists to be able to see more patients, while taking some of the pressures of running day-to-day business away from them.

“We believe we can make the system work more efficiently,” Miller said.  “Our business model enables a podiatrist to grow their business and add three to four podiatrists within one clinic.  In turn, we can produce an environment that graduates seek and so keep valuable health care professionals here in our country.”

Foot Clinics is also interested in appointing master franchises for Australia and other countries.

Love Coffee & Crepes – 5 franchisees to save $50,000!

Pacific Retail Management, which owns the exciting new Love Coffee & Crepes franchise system, has announced its brand new Kick Start business promotion – waiving the $50,000 upfront franchise fee for the first 5 new business owners to open a new Love Coffee & Crepes franchise store.

The impressive new initiative represents a $50,000 saving on investing in a new business and enables small business entrepreneurs to fulfil their dream of running their own business, within an established franchise network. The special offer is available for the first 5 new Love Coffee & Crepes stores opened anywhere in Australia.

“This exciting new brand opened its first store in March 2009 and has some fantastic benefits, including being a part of the Pacific Retail Management group of companies, which includes the popular GO Sushi system and Kick! Juice Bars”, says David Hill, Franchise Recruitment Manager.

“When combined with this great new offer, you get involved with an exciting new brand from the very beginning but you have the support of an established management system.”

Love Coffee & Crepes is a unique concept selling a range of freshly prepared sweet and savoury crepes, delicious pancakes and waffles, along with a world-class blend of coffee, teas and soft drinks.

Big Dad’s keeps getting bigger

Six years after opening their first store in Ipswich, Big Dad’s Pies celebrated their expansion last April, opening their new manufacturing facility at Heathwood, in Brisbane’s south.

The multi-million dollar purpose built 3,000sqm manufacturing facility incorporates new blast freezing equipment with the technology to SNAP freeze product in less than two hours.

“This is a premier bakery manufacturing facility in Brisbane, enabling us to increase our production capacity and SNAP freeze the freshness and quality of our products in a single operation. What this means is that we are now able to take our ever popular range of pies, pastries and cakes right across Australia”, said CEO, Stephen Donnelly.

The opening celebrations coincided with the 10 millionth meat pie coming off the production line, as witnessed by Stephen Donnelly, the Honourable Bernie Ripoll (federal member for Oxley) and Noel Donnelly – ‘Big Dad’ himself.

Noel Donnelly, a pastry baker for over 70 years, created an outstanding set of his own recipes, the most famous being the “Big Dad’s Pie”, made with 95% fat free premium Aussie beef and a unique blend of ingredients.

Big Dad’s Pies currently produces over 10,000 pies a day, and over 100,000 pastry products each week.  The SNAP freezing process will double production in the next two years, leading to a further 40 stores throughout northern QLD and NSW.  From 2010, Big Dad’s plans to expand to remaining Australian States and Territories.

Step into Life to expand

Step into Life group outdoor personal training is experiencing record franchise and customer growth.

Step into Life in WA, run by master franchisees Wayne and Jeanette Grimes, has 10 franchisees with eight more to commence in August 2009.

“We launched five new franchise territories in January 2009 and these franchisees have received record levels of client enquiries and enrolments. It is highly satisfying to see a new franchise owner start with a bang and establish an excellent income and work life balance so quickly”, says Wayne.

Step into Life has received a dramatic increase in franchise enquiries from people within the hospitality, IT and customer service industries. Job security is down but the average Aussie’s disposable income has increased; this has meant record franchise growth and client growth nationally for Step into Life.

“Most people from industries like hospitality or customer service have great people and communication skills and bubbly personalities. Step into Life franchise candidates do not have to have a fitness background; our package includes a fitness qualification and comprehensive training and support”, explains Jeanette.

Set to achieve its goal of 200 franchise locations within 24 months, stepping into new life doing it outdoors seems to be popular.

“Recession … where?” says Company Director Larry Cohen. “Perhaps the economic uncertainty is driving people to investigate owning their own business and hence being in charge of their own destiny, as opposed to uncertainty in an employment situation.”

Sandpit Photos sign 1st franchisee!

Sandpit Photos are excited to announce the signing of their first franchisee who will shortly commence operation in her chosen territory of the Central Coast north of Sydney.

Jess Wilson has taken advantage of the excellent deal offered by Sandpit Photos on recently developed territories. With comprehensive training, Jess will have the confidence to build her business with a solid brand behind her.

Sandpit Photos are Australia’s only franchised photography business that specialises in pre-school, kindergarten and child care photography. Retail packages are available for all family budgets.

Sandpit photos offer a service that will always evolve and never be out of fashion. Their unique online ordering system provides parents with access to view and purchase images well after they are taken, allowing the franchisee to continue making money on jobs with no additional effort.

The Sandpit Photos franchise is suitable for both photographers and child care workers.  Recently developed territories are now available, as well as established territories with a guaranteed income.

Telcoinabox appoints NZ CEO & signs 2 franchisees in 1st month

Telecommunications reseller and franchisor, Telcoinabox has appointed CEO Shannon Fisher to head the New Zealand operations.

Telcoinabox NZ has replicated its full-service Australian wholesale-to-resale business model to business customers, including individuals, ISPs, utilities and other large organisations.

Since officially opening its office in Wellington in April 2009, the new telecommunications entrant has already signed two franchisees.  Mr Fisher, who has over 20 years experience in telecommunications, says demand is high.

“We have in excess of 30 serious enquiries in the pipeline and we haven’t even started a concerted marketing effort yet”, he said.

Mr Fisher says there is a strong trend of ex-pats moving back from the UK who are feeling the squeeze of the global recession and are looking for ways to reinvent themselves.

“The majority of enquiries are coming from males between their 30s and mid-40s. Some are looking for a sea-change.  We would also like to see more female interest. Owning their own telco gives women the freedom to juggle a family and business, and manage their work life balance at their own pace.

“What people are saying is that they really like the fact that all they need to do is just add a customer and you secure a recurring revenue stream. No other business model does that.  Also, they don’t need a shop front to operate or assume someone else’s brand. They can create their own brand name, look and feel, which is nothing like a traditional franchise system.”

Franchisors and Franchisees wanted for valuable research

Corven’s Insight 2009 Program is now in progress.  This program consists of two studies providing franchisors and franchisees with the perfect platform to have their say in the future of franchise education.  You can either participate by attending an Insight Forum event, or have your say about franchise education through the online surveys.

The remaining Insight Forums are in Melbourne (13 & 14 August) and Brisbane (3 & 4 September) and are free to attend.  They will help participants give a fresh perspective and allow them to share their knowledge as they assist Corven in determining the future of franchise education.  Lively debate and discussion is expected!

The Insight Program consists of two studies:

  1. Lessons in Learning:  What are the challenges of delivering training in franchise systems?  This study aims to surface ideas that will improve the delivery of training in franchise systems, by identifying the challenges and examining their causes.  It is being conducted with the support of Gloria Jean’s Coffees.
  2. Into the Fold:  What are the key issues impacting effective new franchisee preparation?  This second study will build a definition of effective new franchisee preparation and explore the factors that support or restrict its achievement.  It is being conducted in conjunction with NAB Franchise Banking.

Follow the links at www.corven.com.au or email community@corven.com.au for more information.

The Insight Program closes Friday 11 September 2009.

Corven is a Melbourne-based consultancy specialising in industry and special interest research programs and education advisory services.

Retailers applaud budget support for small business

Peak retail industry body the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has applauded the Federal Budget’s initiatives focused on supporting SME retailers during the global financial crisis (GFC).

ARA Executive Director Richard Evans said retailers had been struggling with reduced consumer demand for over 12 months and welcomed the Budget’s $500 million in small business incentives and support.

“Small business is the engine room of Australia’s economy and the support and incentives offered in the Budget show positive micro-financial management to help retailers push through this economic downturn. This is great news for business owners who are financially distressed and working hard to keep their doors open and maintain staff during the GFC,” Evans said.

The support includes Small Business and General Business Tax Break ($141 million); Small Business Support Line ($10 million); Small Business Online ($10 million); and PAYG Cash Flow Relief ($720 million).

“These initiatives coupled with the Rudd Government’s stimulus packages, which are beginning to flow from consumers’ pockets through to retailers, leave retailers optimistic the Rudd Government is listening to their concerns and supporting small business.

“The ARA will be on the front foot supporting these initiatives and educating retailers across Australia about small business support services and incentives to invest in their business”, Evans said.