Gutter cleaning experts, Gutter-Vac, have cleaned up in the tenth annual list of Australia’s 10 best franchises, as voted by franchisees across the country.
The Topfranchise Awards recognises the activities and achievements of Australian franchisors, with award winners determined based on the satisfaction of their franchisees. Each year, more than 1,500 Australian franchises are queried through a comprehensive survey conducted by specialist researchers, 10 THOUSAND FEET, and the number one market place for buying a business, SEEK Business.
In addition to edging out Smartline Mortgage Advisers after eight consecutive years of victory, Gutter-Vac also topped the Brand and Expansion categories, with franchisees stating a 15% increase in earning potential, local marketing guidance up by 10%, training up by 8% and value for money up 18% year on year.
Smartline Mortgage Advisers once again proved its impressive franchisor credentials, placing second on the list. Ferguson Plarre Bakehouses surged to third on the list, Bridgestone and Cafe2U made Top Ten debuts, and established franchises Mister Minit, Soul Origin, Kwik Kopy, Snooze and Mrs Fields reappeared, rounding out this years’ top ten.
Overall Category:
- Gutter Vac
- Smartline Mortgage Advisers
- Ferguson Plarre Bakehouses
- Mister Minit
- Soul Origin
- Kwik Kopy
- Snooze
- Mrs Fields
- Cafe2U
- Bridgestone
In addition to an overall award, the Topfranchise Awards recognise six category-specific achievements in marketing, branding, passion and culture, support and operational systems, lifestyle and opportunities for expansion. Smartline Mortgage Advisers took out the Passion and Marketing categories, Waves Detail Pro was recognised for best Lifestyle and Shoebox Bookkeeping won best Support. Other winners The Cheesecake Shop, Chatime, Aussie Pooch Mobile, The Coffee Guy, RE/MAX, Expense Reduction Analysts and Fifo Capital appeared on the list for the first time. Meanwhile, Just Better Care achieved a strong result in the Passion category and Car Care, Xpresso Delight, Xpresso Mobile Cafe, Snap-On Tools and Magic Hand Carwash each had strong performances.
Claiming the award, Warren Ballantyne, Owner, MD and Franchisor of Gutter-Vac, says the result shows the business is on the right trajectory and improving year on year.
“Six years ago, we were eighth in the Topfranchise Awards. Last year, we were second. This year, we’ve claimed first place. Gutter-Vac works extremely hard to support our franchisees. For us to get such a good result from the survey means were doing the right thing. If we don’t have franchisees, we don’t have a business. We’re delighted to be number one and to have received this incredible validation from our franchisees,” says Mr Ballantyne.
Head of Intelligence for topfranchise.com.au and 10 THOUSAND FEET, Ian Krawitz says,
“For the Top 10 award winners, there is a huge amount of effort that goes on behind the scenes to give their franchisees the best chance of success. The Topfranchise Award winners recognise there are critical pillars in the relationship they have with their franchisees, such as support, marketing, brand, lifestyle, expansion opportunities and passion.
The best franchisors listen to their franchisees needs and see their role is to support franchisees to deliver an amazing customer offer every day and support franchisees to have strong businesses.”
Ben Johnston, Head of SEEK Business says,
“SEEK Business is really proud to be part of the Topfranchise Awards again in 2017. We really believe in engagement and satisfaction as a key metric that both franchisors and employers should be measuring. SEEK Business want to highlight to candidates those franchisors which are leaders within the sector; the Topfranchise awards does this.”
The franchise industry survey included more than 1,500 franchisees and was conducted by specialist researchers, 10 THOUSAND FEET. Each franchisee was asked up to 38 questions covering a range of key areas, with the feedback used to benchmark performance in comparison to other franchise systems.