Agreement to Acquire Michel’s Patisserie

Retail Food Group Limited (‘RFG’) has announced that it has entered into a conditional Scrip & Cash Terms Agreement (‘SCTA’) to acquire all the issued shares in The Michel’s Group Australia Pty Ltd (‘TMGA’). TMGA is the intellectual property owner and manager of the Michel’s Patisserie franchise system (‘Michel’s’), a well known Australian food retailer which specializes in the sale of cake, coffee and patisserie related products.

Currently Michel’s have a total of 340 franchised outlets in Australia, and a further 6 franchised outlets in New Zealand. Upon completion of the transaction and following RFG’s recent acquisition of the 321 store Brumby’s Bakeries franchise system, the total number of franchised outlets under the stewardship of RFG will exceed 1,020 outlets, making RFG one of the largest retail food franchisors in Australia and the largest by a considerable margin with respect to “home grown” retail food franchise concepts.

“Michel’s will bolster RFG’s outlet numbers to in excess of 1,020 franchised units”, RFG CEO Tony Alford said, “As with the recent Brumby’s acquisition, the Michel’s system will fit both strategically and synergistically with our Donut King and bb’s café systems”.

“Michel’s is a well developed and successful franchise system particularly in NSW with 195 outlets. Franchisee revenue is underpinned by its coffee and cake product offering and is of such scale and maturity that, similar to the Brumby’s system, it provides an immediate positive earnings contribution to RFG as well as providing a further platform to drive medium and long term shareholder value”, he said.

Retail Food Group is a leading Australian retail food brand manager and franchisor. It is the franchisor and intellectual property owner of the Donut King, bb’s café and Brumby’s systems.

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A swag of nominations for City Pacific Finance in
top industry awards

City Pacific Finance has been named as a finalist in seven categories in the Australian Mortgage Awards, the biggest and most exciting awards night on the finance industry calendar.

Franchise Operation of the Year
• Commercial Brokerage of the Year

• Broker of the Year (Commercial Real Estate): Greg Hearn of City Pacific Finance Sutherland

• Brokerage of the Year (less than 5 staff): City Pacific Finance Mosman

• Brokerage of the Year (6-12 staff): City Pacific Finance Cairns

• New Office on the Block: City Pacific Finance Central Highlands (Emerald)

• Young Gun of the Year (Franchise): Sandi Nock, Office Manager of City Pacific Finance Central Highlands (Emerald)

The awards night was held on Friday 14th September at Luna Park Sydney, with the black tie function attracting over 800 guests from the mortgage and finance industry.

City Pacific Finance was represented at the event by management and brokers and staff from the finalist offices, who were all thrilled to be recognised by their peers in the industry at the well regarded awards.

Greg Hearn took out his category, and was surprised and very pleased to be recognised for his hard work in the specialised field of commercial finance.

At the 2005 Australian Mortgage Awards City Pacific Finance was named Franchise Operation of the Year, with two of with two of our top brokers named as Sales Manager and Salesperson of the Year. In 2006, City Pacific Finance was again a finalist at this prestigious industry event.

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becoming a City Pacific Franchisee

CONTOURS TAKES GOLD FOR FASTEST GROWTH AT SMARTCOMPANY 2007 AWARDS

Contours has again proven its unrivalled success, receiving the HP Fastest Growth Award at the SmartCompany 2007 Awards this month with an incredible growth figure of 782% over the last three years.

The SmartCompany Awards discover Australia’s smartest entrepreneurs who are changing the business landscape. The awards, based on 2006-2007 revenue growth rates, recognise the best entrepreneurs of 2007.

The SmartCompany Awards compiled the SmartCompany50 – a list of 50 of Australia’s fastest growing and innovative companies that are building national and international businesses – in which Contours ranked Number 1.
Back in 2005, Contours founders David Hundt, Will Deane, Peter Hammond and Steve Sacks saw the success of express fitness franchise overseas and adopted the idea to the Australian market. Today, its innovative fitness concept continues to revolutionise the way Australian women approach exercise.

Contours’ key success factors are based on its simple, effective marketing message: Get fit in 29 minutes, three times a week, and its simple franchising model that is Australian-based and easy to manage with monthly training sessions in sales and equipment.

“Contours has had a big impact on the health and fitness industry – almost all our franchises are profitable,” says David Hundt. “Women are busier than ever and are becoming more discerning about the most efficient way to get into shape.”
Contours started in Bendigo three years ago and within 14 months the company had $1 million in revenue. Now it has 120 operating studios and more than 155 franchisees across NSW, ACT, WA, SA, Tasmania, Queensland and Victoria. The strategic goal is to have 300 studios with more than 300 members each.

Contours’ program is particularly popular among the 25-65 year-old age group, as women who are pressed for time due to family and work commitments can fit the short workout in to their busy schedule and still achieve results.
Contours uses weight bearing equipment specifically designed for women with positive and negative resistance. This ensures a far superior workout to the hydraulic equipment often used by other mainstream gyms, providing quick, sustainable results and an increase in energy levels.

NoWet Waterless Car Clean is pleased to announce that they have secured a 3 year exclusive agreement with the manufacturer for supply of all NoWet products.  This also includes the right of renewal.  A nice vote of trust and thanks from NoWet head office.

NoWet Waterless Car Clean was also invited to attend a recent National Conference of Fleet Car Managers in Brisbane.  Our people there have just won the contract to clean all Q Fleet and government cars as well as supply product.

The beauty of the NoWet system is the extra earning capacity our commercial sales gives to our Franchisees.  Our franchise system has been described as one of the fairest in the business and is
geared in favour of our franchisees, giving them choices and freedom to move.

At a recent presentation at Rydges Brisbane for the National Conference of Fleet Managers, delegates received gift packs and a demonstration on how to use the NoWet products.

At present the company is looking for a Master Franchise owner for the States of New South Wales, Canberra and Victoria/Tasmania.

After 3 years in franchising, the company has come a long way with a superior environmental product (they have the Australian EcoLabel of Excellence for both Product and Service) and are leaders in waterless technology.  Leonie Weber, Communications Manager says the results from using NoWet speak for themselves. 

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HydroDog was delighted to be listed in the Top 50 Smart Company and are proudly displaying their Award at Head Office. 

HydroDog was nominated and won their Award due to the following significant achievements in 2007:

Growth: 24%;
Employees: 170 plus franchisees;

Listed as the 6th Fastest growing Franchise in BRW (2006);
Listed as the fastest growing franchise in the Pet Industry in BRW (2007);

Unique and highly-visible ‘Blue Dog’ Mobile Salon
Owners: Martin and Janie Rose
Based: Head Office, Victoria
Franchisees: Australia Wide
Industry: Pet Industry/mobile services

HydroDog franchisees wash and groom over 32,000 dogs each month. Australia-wide there are 170 franchisees who earn $1,200 - $2000 per week from four sources: washing, grooming, sales on pet food and sales on accessories from their highly visible and unique mobile salons.

Upcoming Events:

FCA National Conference

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Whirlwind Women in Franchising Conference
11 October 2007


National Franchise & Small Business
Convention - 10-13 October 2007