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Welcome to another edition of The Insider. There certainly are a lot of things that should be considered before making the leap into owning your own business. Today we hear from a couple who made their decision to get into franchising based on their desire to create the lifestyle that they wanted for their family. Another franchise joins us to let us know just what they are doing to put the fun back into fundraising; and on a more serious note, Mortgage Choice rates the federal budget initiatives as mostly positive but remains concerned about the effects of upcoming tax cuts. Read more below about these stories, together with information of a big promotional launch and an interesting snippet about a franchise that treats its four legged clients like royalty! If you are looking for a great franchising opportunity, be sure to check out the new listings at our Franchises for Sale pages - there are hundreds of opportunities to choose from ! Join us again next week, when we will be delivering the latest from Inside Franchising. Have a great weekend! From the Inside Franchising Team |
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For franchisees David and Liz Angove an improved lifestyle for their family was the motivating factor to switch careers and purchase a Bakers Delight franchise. The busy couple with three children needed a change from living week-to-week to spend more quality time together. David had a successful career in the steel industry as a product manager for a major company, but was keen to start his own business. Due to the high capital investment required to start their own steel company, David and Liz decided to look into purchasing a franchise. The couple undertook exhaustive research of various franchise systems, deciding to purchase a Baker’s Delight bakery because of its proven business model and on the recommendation of a friend in the Bakers Delight franchise network. With no prior hospitality experience David undertook the intensive four-month Bakers Delight Franchisee Training Program in October 2007. This program equips potential franchisees with production, management and customer service skills that are integral to running a Bakers Delight franchise. In February 2007, the Angoves took over operations of their new bakery business. “The first day we took on the bakery was one of the best in my life; I was so excited about joining a great network of likeminded people,” explained Liz. “On our second day we attended a Bakers Delight baking competition and one of our products won third place in our region – we were thrilled.” For David, even though it is still early days, running his own business has changed his life for the better. “There has been a huge learning curve and some real challenges but knowing you are shaping your own path and future is hugely rewarding,” he said. “With Bakers Delight you have the best of both worlds. You are your own boss, but working with a team in a proven system minimises the risks. There is ongoing operational support from head office in areas like HR, OH&S and marketing, making the challenge of running your own business less daunting. |
“You really do become part of a mini community. Head office and fellow franchisees are always there to lend a helping hand. Other Bakers Delight franchisees have helped us out with paperwork, planning, ideas and stock shortages; the list is endless.” Also new to the baking industry, Liz had worked in customer service for 10 years before leaving the workforce to have children. When she returned in 2006, Liz trained as an Integration Aide and now works in childcare. She helps out David two to three days a week in the bakery. “We have never worked together before, but so far so good! We have a lot of fun working together, and as long as you can maintain your sense of humour its okay,” she said. David and Liz have three young girls Connie, Prue and Ella, who are all under the age of 10. “They each have their own uniform and love coming in to the bakery,” explains Liz. “It may be possible they are eating us out of profit!” “The girls are also enjoying spending more time with their dad. David’s at home more when they get home from school, which is something they never had before. “We really have our lifestyle dream,” Liz concluded.
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It’s time to put the fun back in fundraising – the BMW Zig Zag Charity Ball supporting Queensland’s children’s charities is on again for 2008. Full of local and national personalities, raffles, auctions and performances, this year’s black-tie Ball will be held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on the 24th of May. The theme is ‘A Night of Exotic Delight’ and tickets include dinner, drinks and a take-home goodie bag. Last year the Zig Zag Foundation raised over $400,000 towards funding essential services provided by local childrens’ charities for sick, underprivileged and at-risk children. Zig Zag relies purely on volunteer and sponsor aid, which is why 13 local Worldwide Online Printing Centres from around the Brisbane metro and CBD area have joined forces to donate the entirety of Zig Zag’s printing needs for the ball. “Worldwide is print sponsoring the event, meaning we’re donating the printing of everything from raffle tickets to programmes,” explained Andrew Robertson, coordinator of Worldwide Online Printing’s sponsorship and last year’s PricewaterhouseCoopers Australian Franchisee of the Year. "We’ve also expanded our sponsorship since last year to a full Corporate Partnership – so we’re not only printing material for the ball, but providing free print to Zig Zag throughout the whole year and for several other fundraising events.” “Why? Well, it’s because we think Zig Zag has the right approach – the foundation is run by volunteers and everything except a few admin costs goes straight to those who need it. The money we help raise goes towards so many different causes, from research into children’s respiratory disease to support groups for underprivileged or abused children. |
“We’re excited to be doing our bit to help Queensland’s kids,” Robertson added. “We hope everyone digs deep at the ball!” Michelle Lawson, Founder and Director of Zig Zag, said, “To run this ball and make money for our chosen charities, we rely on the generosity of local business sponsors, volunteers and of course the attendees.” “We’re grateful to have Worldwide on board for the Zig Zag Ball again this year,” said Lawson. “The quality of the print work Worldwide provides gives our event such a professional and fun image.” To book your tickets for the BMW Zig Zag Ball 2008 or to make a donation, just visit www.zigzagfoundation.org
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Mortgage Choice, Best in the Mortgage & Finance Industry*, rates the federal budget initiatives as mostly positive but remains concerned about the effects of upcoming tax cuts, urging Australian mortgage holders to place the extra money into their mortgage. The Government’s expenditure restraint will hopefully dampen inflation growth to acceptable levels sooner, after many months of falling outside the upper end of the Reserve Bank of Australia’s target band of 2-3%. This has caused a number of interest rate rises, which have hit mortgage holders where it hurts. However, as welcome as the tax cuts are for most Australians, it is possible they will have an inflationary effect and therefore impact negatively in the near future. Mortgage Choice National Manager Corporate Affairs, Warren O’Rourke said consumers must be wary and think carefully about the best use for the extra dollars. “The $2.2 billion housing affordability package announced is, of course, a positive step to be welcomed. Any help for those tackling the housing affordability challenge is a good move,” he said. |
“However, while the income tax cuts will bring relief to many Australians, they could contribute to inflation growth and lead to further interest rate rises. It is important that the Government considers the plight of all home loan borrowers, both existing and potential, and uses fiscal policy to ensure home ownership remains a reality and not a pipedream”. This financial year’s four official interest rate increases have added an additional $170 per month in repayments to an average mortgage of $250,000. This does not factor in the further increases applied by various lenders in this period. A sensible move for all mortgage holders is to contribute into their mortgage the extra money provided by tax cuts. This will save them money in the long run and possibly save time off their loan term. “An extra $20 per week put into the average mortgage ($250,000 at 9.46% p.a.) will save around $105,320 in interest on the total loan amount plus 5 years and 2 months off a 30-year loan term. An extra $30 per week will save approx $139,947 in interest plus 6 years and 11 months,” said Mr O’Rourke. “Adding the tax cut money to the mortgage will also help people cope with another interest rate rise if one was to occur. Remember, the concern about high inflation and possible future rises remains”.
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Leading Australian retail food brand manager and franchisor Retail Food Group Ltd will this week launch its first SMS promotion to encompass all of its four brands – Donut King, bb’s cafe, Brumby’s Bakeries and Michel’s Patisserie. The Big Brand SMS Promotion, which runs from 19 May and 29 June, will operate across more than 1,050 stores in Australia and New Zealand and offer customers more than $134,000 worth of instant, daily, random and major prizes. As part of the promotion, organised by Oxygen Interactive Marketing, customers buy a promotional product and receive a Big Brand Coded Entry Form. They then SMS the unique code for the chance to win. RFG Chief Marketing Officer Nicole Dodd said the promotion was the first marketing initiative to capitalise on the company’s substantial brand holding. “A key business driver at RFG is the ability to create efficiencies and synergies across the different brands. This is our first marketing initiative across the four brands and this has given us the ability to develop a much bigger and stronger promotion,” she said. “We are looking to stimulate consumer participation and drive sales across all our brands. While the promotion will appeal to our existing customer base, we hope it will also help to entice new customers to our stores. “By creating a tiered system of prizes and embracing the use of SMS, we have helped add a more immediate experience for customers. They may instantly win some of our food products and go into the draw for the big prizes.” |
The prizes include a Holden Astra, Fisher and Paykel kitchen package, Sony ultimate entertainment package, Fijian holidays, Dreamworld and Whitewater World Holidays. Apart from instore marketing, the promotion will also be supported by radio and magazine advertising in Australia and New Zealand. RFG is the franchisor and intellectual property owner of the Donut King, bb’s cafe, Brumby’s and Michel’s Patisseries systems.
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Inside Franchising wishes Safety Quip's Gold Coast franchise store a HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY !! Our best wishes to its franchisees, Will and Amanda Cunnington
Gloria Jean’s Coffees, we were recently recognised as the first Australian company to scoop the International Rainforest Alliance Corporate Green Globe Award. The award highlighted efforts to help make the world a better place by sourcing coffee that supports the environment, wildlife and coffee growing communities.
Andrew and Debbie Benefield are thrilled to announce the opening of their famous Mrs Fields Gourmet Cookie Café for the first time in the new Plenty Valley Westfield centre. The new store will be brimming with their signature soft baked cookies, muffins, brownies and premium roasted coffee.
Interested in the latest news from the ACCC?
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Pizza Capers has just announced its interstate expansion plan and growth strategy for the next few years. The company hopes to be operating 100 stores across QLD, NSW and Vic in the next 2 years and is expected to report a 40% increase in revenue at the end of this financial year to more than $15million.
SHARES in Harvey Norman, the country's biggest furniture and electronics retailer, surged recently by more than 6 per cent, or 24c, to $3.98 after UBS upgraded the stock.
BIG4 Holiday Parks and Kampgrounds of America (KOA), the two world leading brands in the caravanning and camping industry, have signed a Master Licencing Agreement that opens the way to introduce the sharing of management technology and operational practises to better serve the caravanning and camping industries of Australia and North America.
From the Inside Franchising US franchise, PawSpa Resort, is a small animal resort business offering first choice in a luxury, full-service boarding business franchise. PawSpa Resort maintains "the ultimate goal of creating and offering a plan for a safe, fun, resort-style concept of the traditional kennel." With pet-related sales, both products and services, touching $40.8 billion in America in 2007 this is certainly an interesting concept!
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Ever wanted to know more about a particular franchise? How much does one cost? Simply click here to visit us at Inside Franchising to view our full list of opportunities! You can also click a logo below for more on these Featured Franchises.
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Everyone loves a freebie, and to get your hands on Worldwide's free guide to 25 Ways to Amaze Your Customers all you need to do is click here to visit the Worldwide Online Franchise System Profile and follow the links. |
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*The content of all news items published in this newsletter are published in good faith and are reproduced from information provided by the individual companies the subject of said news items. Inside Franchising Pty Ltd takes no responsibility whatsoever for information and content being true and correct. |