Some good advice from the ACCC: Be smart about your new franchise

If you are thinking about starting a small business, franchising can offer many benefits. Franchising systems generally include a proven business model, an established brand or product, and support from the franchisor through existing infrastructure and marketing schemes. 

The ACCC has compiled a checklist for prospective franchisees, together with advice about assessing business opportunities before making an investment decision.   

Small Business Champions Have Plenty To Bark About

International franchise system, Aussie Pooch Mobile Pty Ltd, have taken out the coveted Queensland Small Business Champion Award – Service Division. Supported by Commonwealth Bank Local Business Banking, the Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources and managed by Precedent Productions, the awards are designed to acknowledge the most outstanding small businesses in each state and territory.

Aussie Pooch Mobile was recognized for their success in the areas of business promotion, customer service, community involvement, staff training and motivation and overall business growth.

This business is the brainchild of Chris Taylor who started grooming dogs at just 16 years old. In true entrepreneurial spirit, Chris launched Aussie Pooch Mobile Pty Ltd in 1991 with the full support of her husband, family and friends at 21 years of age.

The Aussie Pooch Mobile was the first franchise system of its kind, and is still the largest franchised dog wash and care company in the world.

After taking Australia by storm, Chris realised a global need for her business so after more research, launched as ‘The Pooch Mobile’ overseas. There are currently Pooch Mobile franchises in the United Kingdom, Malaysia, New Zealand, New Caledonia and the USA, with a total of 175 operators worldwide.

With a slew of other awards behind her including Queensland Young Achiever of the Year for Career Achievement, Queensland's Telstra Business Woman of the Year in the Business Owner Category, and Women in Franchising 2005, Chris is certainly living by her motto. She has grown from a young girl with dream to a dynamic international business woman with a thriving business that’s going from strength to strength.

Chris hopes that this award enables her to reach out and inspire others to succeed in their chosen field. 

And for dog lovers, franchising with Aussie Pooch Mobile has a twofold benefit. You will be able to build a successful business while doing something you are passionate about, and that is what it’s all about says Chris. “To be successful first you have to fall in love with what you do.”

Trios unveils new look to entice customers

TRIOS Fresh & Tasty has recently revealed a new look at its stores as part of a brand reinvigoration campaign aimed at ensuring the healthy fast food franchise keeps abreast of changing market trends and spurs consumer interest.

Mr David Elia, Trios’ Managing Director said intensive market research was undertaken which resulted in recommendations to change signage thus enhancing the appeal of the product.   “We have enhanced our signage, invested more money in product development, increased our menu range to include both toasted and grilled wraps and improved the overall store layout,” Mr Elia said. “We want to ensure that Trios’ offers a fresh wrap experience and unique flavour profile that keeps customers coming back for more.”

 “Most of the stores have rolled out the new look and we have already seen a lift in sales levels by up to 15-20 percent which is a fantastic response and has certainly pleased franchisees.
“Our website is proving to be a hit with a 50% increase in unique website visits over the past few months and a further increase in online customer feedback.”

 “There are also plans to change the structure of the business by developing stand alone store formats that offer more opportunities to also target the breakfast and dinner market.
“In addition to the proposed renovations, our local focus will be on increasing our presence in South-East Queensland, Sydney, and Western Australia with our plans to open between six and ten new stores this financial year.

Mr Elia said the establishment of Trios coincided with the boom in the healthy fast food industry back in 2002 and was still attracting people interested in starting a business that capitalised on it.

“We want franchisees who are interested in, and already a living, a healthy lifestyle and that want to spread this message at the same time as running a successful business.”

Trios currently has 14 stores throughout Victoria and New South Wales and was founded by the Elias brothers David, Sam and Elias Elia. 

ecowash mobile wins major awards and
cracks US market

Currently saving an estimated 315,000 litres of water a week, completely waterless mobile car washing and detailing service ecowash mobile opened in its seventh country during August, while picking up two major awards during September.

On August 20 ecowash mobile Managing Director Jim Cornish, and Operations Director Stewart Nicholls, unveiled a new franchise in Las Vegas.  After opening their first international franchise in the Middle East in August last year, ecowash mobile is now in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Jordan.  Mr Cornish also unveiled Ecowash Mobile Europe in France in February this year and there are other overseas locations in the pipeline for early next year.

“It is all very exciting,” he said.

“We now have 42 franchisees across Australia and have made our first venture into the US market. To have moved into seven countries after starting out as a two car operation back in March 2004 with Stewart Nicholls is a quantum leap.”

On September 7 ecowash mobile won the 2007 Australian Business Award in the ‘Enterprise in its industry’ category. The award acknowledges the automotive industry franchise system as an industry leader and honours its contributions to the industry as a whole. This was followed up with a Franchise Council of Australia Award for Emerging Franchise System of the Year 2007 (NSW/ACT) six days later.

Unlike traditional car washing processes, an "ecowash" does not require water. The unique 2-in-1 wash and polish technique uses an exclusive polymer compound which lifts the dirt from the surface of the paint and encapsulates it in a lubricant. The dirt is then removed with a soft cloth - all without water and without a scratch.

What's left is a fine layer of polish which is removed with a clean cloth to reveal a beautifully polished and protected surface. Your car looks like new again and will stay that way for longer thanks to a protective coating which remains to guard your car from the harmful effects of the environment.

Bark Busters Franchisees on the right track

Bark Busters Australia recently held its 3 day 2007 National Conference at the Novotel in Wollongong with all Franchisees from around Australia attending. 

We also had attendees from England Taiwan and New Zealand. It is the one time each year when all Bark Busters get together and network with each other and share ideas on how to make their businesses grow.

Our objective is to always support and promote our team spirit and to help our Franchisees grow and achieve success together.  

“A champion team will always beat a team of champions”

This year’s them was “NEVER  NEVER NEVER GIVE UP” an infamous saying by Winston Churchill many years ago.

“Sometimes it is what you think you know that stops you from learning, doing and achieving more”

The three days included group mentor discussions on difficult dog cases. Converting enquires into lessons, thus improving business income.

Dealing with difficult clients. Networking within your own community. Team building exercises, which really took many out of their comfort zones!!

Exciting new training techniques were introduced and demonstrated indoors then on the final day we had numerous dogs in the park so everyone got to practice these
new techniques hands on.

We also came on board this year with providing free in home help for families with their new puppies in conjunction with Paws for Diabetics. This organisation provides dogs that will detect when the insulin level is getting too low enabling the person to take action before a Diabetic attack occurs.  It was wonderful to have them come to our conference and educate us all on Diabetics and how much our voluntary help is benefiting those families in their own homes.

Also our Award Night where those achieving not only monetary results are acknowledged, but also recognising those doing great things such as: clever new and initiative marketing, doing community “Dally Says” talk to primary school children to prevent them getting bitten by dogs, introducing a free assessments with the Sydney Staffi Rescue Shelter to make sure dogs are rehoused to the right families, talking at hospital antenatal classes on things prospective parents need to be doing with their beloved dogs before the new baby comes home.  We also announced the winner of our Australian 2006/07 Rewards Program, whom won a trip to the USA to attend their 2008 conference. A great night of dancing and laugher was had by everyone.

Click here for more information on becoming
a Bark Busters' Franchisee

Consultant Feature:

Ordium Director, Kate Johnson, says she has found the perfect solution to businesses contemplating if franchising is for them – find a buddy!

Ordium’s new Franchise Buddy System is designed to assist individuals with a new business idea as well as established businesses who wish to obtain an understanding of franchising before committing to the franchising process.

“Committing to move from a company owned operation to a franchise system is a big leap and it shouldn’t be a leap of faith; rather a well informed decision,” says Ms Johnson.

“The transition is often misunderstood which frequently results in major gaps and errors during the process, including cashflow shortages.”

Ms Johnson says there is currently a gap in education of potential Franchisors regarding the depth and complexity of their role prior to commencing down the path of franchising, resulting in misunderstanding about the cost and time involved to establish a solid franchise system.

“We need to educate start-up Franchisors about the statistics, that is, the number of franchisees it takes to be sustainable.  Many people still think franchising is a quick way to make money but the decision requires much more thought.  Correct information and more research at the outset can save thousands of dollars in costly mistakes for start-up Franchisors.”

“The Buddy System can save companies a lot of money, particularly in legal fees, if they decide not to proceed with franchising, but the bonus is that in undertaking the process they frequently improve their business systems and documentation.”

The Franchise Buddy System also introduces prospective Franchisors to a range of Support Partners that can put into perspective the legal, accounting, marketing and operational requirements of a franchised business.

Ms Johnson’s experience in both the franchising and the corporate arena means that the Franchise Buddy System has a comparable mentoring program for corporate business owners looking to grow their business without franchising.

Upcoming Events:

FCA National Conference

Click a logo for more information:

Whirlwind Women in Franchising Conference
11 October 2007


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

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