It may seem that the business world is full of bad news stories – such as the mass retrenchments in the aviation and car manufacturing industries – however the franchising sector is far more upbeat about success in small business, as demonstrated by the buzz surrounding this week’s Sydney Franchising & Business Opportunities Expo.
Opening on Friday 28 March at Royal Hall of Industries Moore Park, the three-day Expo will showcase around 100 different franchises, and will also host a variety of business experts and support organisations to assist people who may be pondering the ins and outs of becoming their own boss after leaving the corporate sector.
Unique this year is a large group of Malaysian franchise systems exhibiting for the first time. They will be bringing brand new concepts to the Australian market, and looking for serious investors who want to take up a master franchise.
“Franchising really suits people who are customer-focused and able to follow systems and processes, which covers many people coming out of a corporate environment,” explains Andy Reeves, Recruitment Manager at Franchise Selection.
“It has the benefits of a proven brand and a comprehensive support system, which is far less daunting than going out on your own after being retrenched.”
Reeves says the appeal of the franchising industry for him is the positive energy and collaborative nature of franchisors. “At the Expo you’ll see competitors side by side, all getting on and helping each other,” he says. “They all have a real can-do attitude and that entrepreneurial spirit is very energising for someone who has spent years in a corporate environment that may not have been very positive.”
At Franchise Selection, Reeves assists franchisors to find the best franchisees to suit their business model. He will be speaking as part of the free seminar program at the Expo, on the topic ‘What to look for when buying a franchise’.
“It’s important for anyone considering a franchise to look at their expectations and their motivations,” he says. “I’ll also be giving people some practical tips on how they can assess if a franchise is the right fit for themselves.”
According to the Franchise Council of Australia (FCA), franchising has been remarkably successful in Australia, with Australia/NZ having the world’s highest per capita penetration of franchised systems in the world.
The sector is a major contributor to the Australian economy; with 1180 franchise systems achieving approximately $130 billion in annual turnover, and earning $300 million each year in export income. There are around 73,000 franchisees, who employ more than 400,000 people.
Robin Lau, CEO of PostNet Australia Pty. Ltd., one of the country’s fastest-growing franchise success stories. The global, US-based business came to Australia since 2007 and currently has outlets in Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane and Sydney. Lau says PostNet’s goal is to have 100 Australian franchises in the next seven years.
Attending the Sydney Franchising & Business Opportunities Expo can be a great eye-opener for people thinking about buying a franchise, believes Lau.
“It is a chance to look around at the different concepts available, and to spend time talking to someone about their business,” he says. “Entering a franchise is like getting married, it is a partnership for the long term and must be of mutual benefit.”
The Sydney Franchising & Business Opportunities Expo will be on at Royal Hall of Industries, Moore Park, 28-30 March from 10am-5pm. Entry at the door is $15. For more information go to www.franchisingexpo.com.au.
Dates: Franchising & Business Opportunities Expo 2014
Sydney 28-30 March at Royal Hall of Industries, Moore Park
Brisbane 19-20 July at Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre
Melbourne 22-24 August at Melbourne Exhibition Centre