Australia’s best in franchising recognised in regional honours - PwC Regional Excellence in Franchising Award winners announced
Emerging franchise systems, franchisees and women in franchising across the country have been recognised during the Franchise Council of Australia’s Franchise Appreciation Week, paying tribute to the ‘best of the best’ in Australian franchising.
Franchise Council of Australia (FCA) CEO Richard Evans congratulated winners from across Australia and thanked them for contributing to the triumph of franchising as successful business model major economic and employment generator for Australia.
“Franchising has a tremendous economic impact on Australia generating sales the equivalent to 14% of Australia’s GDP each year. Over the past few decades, franchising in Australia has developed into a powerhouse industry employing around 600,000 people. The $128 billion franchise industry bears evidence of the sector’s economic and social benefits and plays a significant role in the generation of income and prosperity for Australians,” Mr Evans said.
2007 PricewaterhouseCoopers Emerging Franchise Systems of the Year:
Western Australia: Aroma Café
South Australia: Wokinabox
Qld / NT: Mr Rental
NSW / ACT: Ecowash Mobile
Victoria /Tasmania: Hairhouse Warehouse
2007 PricewaterhouseCoopers Franchisee of the Year:
Western Australia: Jamie Gant (ANZ Mortgage Solutions)
South Australia: Jock Dean (Mr Carports)
Qld / NT: Andrew Robertson (Worldwide Online Printing)
NSW / ACT: Marc & Tania Donohue (Narellan Pools)
Victoria /Tasmania: Cameron Mactier & Margaret Whelan (Optus World)
2007 PricewaterhouseCoopers Franchise Woman Year:
Western Australia: Linda Steele (CHOOKS fresh & tasty)
South Australia: Vicki Prout (Franchise Alliance)
Qld / NT: Dianne Williams (Lenard’s)
NSW / ACT: Karen Matthews (Ella Baché)
Victoria /Tasmania: Sadhana Smiles (Hocking Stuart)
The regional winners of the state-based Franchisee of the Year and Franchise Woman of the Year awards then compete to take home the prestigious national title at the PricewaterhouseCoopers Excellence in Franchising Awards announced on 13 October 2007 at the National Franchise and Small Business Convention (NFC07) in Melbourne.
Click here to see profiles and photos of the winners!
Be sure to check our newsletter and visit our website,
as we will be bringing you all of the news from NFC07! |
Some of the winners
|
The sky’s the limit for this Bakers Delight franchise owner
A flying instructor and a bakery owner may seem worlds apart, but for Gregg Hardie, franchisee at Bakers Delight Unley, this career transition made perfect sense.
Gregg had always had an interest in flying, so when he completed high school Gregg took to the skies and received his commercial pilots licence.
“I loved flying, but studying to receive my commercial pilot's licence and becoming a flying instructor was fulfilling a childhood dream. However, I knew it wasn’t going to be my long-term future.” explains Gregg.
So when Gregg’s mother came home with a local newspaper advertising the opportunity to study Small Business Franchising as part of a Bakers Delight traineeship, Gregg was inspired to take this up as his next challenge.
 “We’d always been Bakers Delight customers so I was familiar with the brand, the bread and the bakery environment. I took on the traineeship hopeful to one day own my own Bakers Delight business,” says Gregg.
Just two years’ later, Gregg bought his first bakery in Ingle Farm.
“There was no way I could have started my own business at age 24 without Bakers Delight. I had some experience, but I think what got me ahead was a lot of heart and determination to succeed,” explains Gregg.
“I embraced the franchising concept and accepted all the support available to me from head office. They assisted me with the paperwork, training staff through organised training sessions, facilitating networking with other franchises, as well as general motivation and encouragement,” recalls Gregg.
“I wanted to succeed, and they wanted me to succeed, so it was a win-win situation,” says Gregg … that’s the beauty of franchising.”
Bakers Delight also provided Gregg the opportunity to meet life-long friends, and of course, his wife, Aime!
“We met through another Bakers Delight franchisee; not only is he a great source of knowledge and mentorship, but he also has great match-making skills!” laughs Gregg.
Now with two small children, Nathaniel aged two and one year-old Kyla, Gregg relishes being his own boss and the ability to spend quality time with his young family.
“I am fortunate enough to have not missed anything… except a little sleep,” he says.
For Gregg, the satisfaction of being a business owner - besides the obvious lifestyle benefits - is knowing that he is able to reap the rewards from the dedication and effort he puts into his own business.
If you would like more information about
|
Mortgage Choice celebrates 15 year anniversary
Mortgage Choice, Australia’s Best Mortgage Broker*, has ridden a wave of positive results since directors Rod Higgins and Peter Higgins gave birth to the idea in 1992.
Recognising Australia had become perhaps the most complex housing market in the world, the brothers decided created a business to help consumers negotiate the mortgage maze. Their aim was to build a national franchise network of ethical and professional residential property loan advisors who local communities could trust with service and who didn’t play favourites.
Managing director, Paul Lahiff said the company still strongly believes the mortgage broker proposition is appealing to all participants - consumers, lenders and the brokers themselves.
 “That’s obvious when you look at the success achieved in such a short time. As at our last financial results announcement, Mortgage Choice featured 445 franchises, 663 loan consultants, 213 retail outlets and around 100 corporate staff nationwide,” he said.
“We are the only ASX-listed specialist mortgage broker and we continue to be recognised via accolades such as: 2007 Australian Banking & Finance Awards Best Mortgage Broker, 2006 MFAA Awards Retail Mortgage Broker of the Year and inclusion on the 2006 BRW Magazine Top 500 Public Companies list.
“We are proud of our network growth and the maturity and continued innovation of our business processes. Mortgage Choice has come a long way in strengthening its position as a company worth following – due to our financial and franchising performance but most notably because of our high quality customer service and commitment to a ‘Client for Life’ philosophy.
“This milestone signifies a great deal to us because our solid market position and continual achievement means we can really take care of our franchisees, shareholders, customers and staff while strengthening lender partner relationships.
“Importantly, it also allows us to maintain our commitment to bringing onboard only the best franchisees. When it comes to expanding our network, we accept only the highest quality candidates”.
* Australian Banking & Finance Magazine Awards, May 2007.
If you would like more information about
|
Called 23 Design & Print Strategies To Boost Your Bottom Line And Save You Time (ISBN 978-0-646-47698-8), the guide shares the secrets of successful ‘image-warriors’, and lifts the lid on the logo, branding and literature mistakes companies most often make.