Worldwide Online Printing’s CEO Mark Manderson shares news of his Franchise’s recent success with us today: “This is a very exciting time to be a major player in Australia’s design and print sector. Our latest round of significant investment again demonstrates our confidence in the ability of our production teams, and our commitment to help our Franchise Owners grow their businesses and create wealth.”

Worldwide has underlined its crusade to capitalise on the digital printing phenomenon with the launch of a $1.5m digital-only Qld production facility.  And in New South Wales, Worldwide has doubled the capacity of its Alexandria production hub in a move which takes its investment in print technology, equipment and facilities to $4.5m this year.  The new hubs will dramatically improve design and print efficiencies of the group’s 19 NSW retail Centres and 21 Queensland retail Centres.

Worldwide Franchisee, Andrew Robertson, who owns and runs Worldwide Online Printing centres in Spring Hill and Rowes Arcade in Brisbane, is celebrating being named Australian Franchisee of the Year 2007 at the PricewaterhouseCoopers Excellence in Franchising Awards.

“I’m getting my feet back on the ground now, but I really felt lost for words when my name was called out!” Robertson said about winning the award.

Since purchasing the Worldwide Spring Hill franchise in September 2003 with no previous printing experience, Robertson and his team have increased the annual turnover more than four-fold in four years.

In his acceptance speech, Robertson said: “Worldwide’s system allowed an industry novice with no technical proficiency in printing succeed in a highly technical industry.  It is a fantastic organisation to be a part of. It’s a rising star. This award is also a testament to the franchisor team, on a state and national level, and the system itself at Worldwide.”

One of Robertson’s secrets to success, he maintains, is to focus on creating a strong team environment and a positive work culture, by investing in, recognizing, rewarding and training team members, while celebrating the team’s achievements as a whole. His approach has resulted in low staff turnover and increased employee numbers at his centres from three to fourteen.

Another of his methods for success is to make sure that the big picture isn’t obscured by details. “I set aside time to work on the businesses without interruptions,” he said. “Getting perspective is very important.

“I think almost all the achievements in my life have been part of a goal that I have set and then gone about achieving. The exact timing may have varied but the achievement itself has usually been something I’ve been working towards – sometimes for years!”

It’s been a busy year for Robertson – he and his wife Karen had a baby girl in March, just a few months before purchasing his second Worldwide centre in Rowes Arcade, Brisbane CBD, in July.

Click here for more information on becoming a Worldwide Online Printing Franchisee

Mortgage Choice is proud to announce that the all-schoolgirls team it sponsored for the 2007 World Solar Challenge (WSC) achieved its key goal - reducing a car’s greenhouse emissions by 30%. 

The 10 Annesley College students, aged 16 to 18 years, and a support team worked tirelessly over the last few months to convert a Holden Viva into a petrol/electric hybrid vehicle. Mortgage Choice branded the car with its logo, new campaign slogan ‘Simple Choice’, mascot Choosey the beagle and her pawprints – a sight to see on the sun-faded roads of the outback! The school was the only all-girl team to enter the bi-ennial event.

The WSC ran through the outback from Darwin to Adelaide from 21 to 28 October, stopping at towns including Katherine, Dunmarra, Tennant Creek, Alice Springs, Marree, Coober Pedy, Glendambo and Port Augusta. It motivates research and development into harnessing solar energy and other fuel sources for future transport needs.

The Annesley car, nicknamed ‘Lissie’, drove in the WSC Greenfleet Class, which was established to showcase fuel-efficient technologies and low carbon fuels. The car averaged around 10 amps at 90 km/h, ensuring a petrol usage of around 6-7 litres per 100 kilometres (with the air conditioning on, of course).

Lissie ran well, thanks to a well thought out conversion of the petrol motor remaining in the front and an electrical system driving the rear wheels. A lithium polymer high-powered battery pack provided twice the electric power capacity at a third of the battery weight. The battery lasted around four hours and powered the electricity so the car used less petrol.

The team had a brilliant time, using instinct and knowledge earned before and during the trip (road inclines and curves, heavier or lighter pressure on the accelerator, more or less amps) to reach the ultimate precision in terms of fuel economy. They also found time to visit a number of famous landmarks along the way, such as the Devil’s Marbles.

Annesley College has participated in every WSC, excluding the inaugural race, since it began 20 years ago. This makes Annesley College the longest serving school and this year they were the only all-girl team.

The idea for the WSC originates from Danish born adventurer Hans Tholstrup. He was the first to circumnavigate the Australian continent in a 16 foot open boat. Later in life he became involved in various competitions with fuel saving cars and trucks and it was during this time that he became aware of the necessity to explore sustainable energy as a replacement for fossil fuels.

Tholstrup designed the world’s first solar car, called ‘Quiet Achiever’ and traversed the 4,052 kilometres between Sydney and Perth in 20 days – the precursor of the WSC.

Click here for more information on becoming a Mortgage Choice franchisee, and join a franchise which supports the community

The Autobarn franchise group is a major retail organisation within the Australian automotive aftermarket industry. Stores market comprehensive ranges of automotive parts and accessories, in-car entertainment systems, motor vehicle security systems, performance equipment, oils and additive products and body repair items and paint.

Autobarn began as a co-operative founded in Melbourne in 1985. The original group consisted of nine members with 11 retail stores between them, located in Melbourne and several major Victorian regional centres. The Autobarn franchise model was born in 1991 and has since grown to encompass 96 stores spread across five states and two territories.

There are many features to our franchise model. It provides those individuals who join our network with assurance that we will assist them through the acquisition of their business, then subsequently support them through the growth phases of their business via the guidance of professional support staff and the fostering of a network of individuals who impart knowledge to peers as a result of their own experiences.
As the Autobarn system grows and strives to promote best practice franchising and retailing techniques, it is important to remember that the initial vision of the foundation shareholders to franchise the Autobarn concept stands true today: “to provide opportunities for small to medium size businesses to compete, be profitable and grow by being part of a strong retail franchise group.

Autobarn provides a comprehensive support and training culture and an inherent belief that if the franchisee is profitable, then the franchisor is successful. It has been proven time and time again, that if the franchisor provided services are embraced by the operator, these expectations, in nearly every circumstance, are met.

Bright Eyes Sunglasses specialises in the retail sale of Sunglasses and associated products. The company was first established in 1985 and franchised in 1991. We are the largest Australian-owned and operated sunglass specialty retailer with outlets in every state of Australia .

Bright Eyes Sunglasses is the ideal owner-operated business where franchisees benefit from promotion, store identification (brand recognition) and multiple store opportunities. Ours is a very lucrative business model based on high profit margins, low set up costs and low ongoing royalties.

For two consecutive years the Bright Eyes Sunglasses franchising system has made the BRW Fast 100 and also placed in the top 50 out of 900 franchises listed in the BRW Fastest Growing Franchises, an achievement not possible without the continual support from our existing franchisees.

Bright Eyes is committed to constant improvement and building a dynamic group. Enquiries are welcome from persons as potential franchisees who hold the desire to be market leaders and enjoy the positive experience of achieving large-scale objectives as part of a team as well as personal goals at individual store level.

There are currently sites in high turnover centres available in most states of Australia and a limited number of existing stores are being offered for sale. Multiple store opportunities are also available.

Go Gecko is one of the fastest growing Real Estate businesses in Australia. Go Gecko is a truly unique business that fulfils an enormous market demand. Franchises are now available Australia Wide Some sales experience is desirable, but not essential, and Go Gecko will support you all the way. The Go Gecko Minimum Income Guarantee:  Starting out in any business is challenging, and Go Gecko recognize this fact by providing a minimum income guarantee of $5000 per month for the first 6 months of trading.  This means that if your income is below $5000 in any of the first 6 months Go Gecko will top up your income, to ensure that you get off to a flying start. Go Gecko - it’s just the smarter approach to real estate.

Click here for more information on becoming a GoGecko Franchisee

If you are passionate about living a healthy lifestyle where you can be your own boss and manage a hip and popular franchise that sells healthy, fresh and nutritious products then you should consider a Trios franchise store!

Trios is inviting new franchisees to ride the healthy lifestyle wave that is continually growing in popularity as more people recognise and value the importance of eating healthy and fresh food.

The sandwich wrap market is virtually untapped and offers Trios franchisees a great opportunity to dominate the marketplace by selling quality, fresh and affordable products.

The Trios menu has been carefully thought out and developed to offer a fantastic range of products (none of which require previous food handling experience) that consist of healthy Laffé Wraps, fresh hand tossed salads and satisfying baked spuds. All the core menu items offer an extensive choice of fillings/toppings and can be adapted to suit all tastes and dietary requirements.

The secret to Trios' success is a specially developed flat bread that has been designed to ensure the Laffé Wraps are a perfect combination of fillings and bread. The Laffé bread has been created with special ingredients so that it has a great flavour without being too dense. The Laffé bread is low in fat and salt and high in fibre and is available in four different styles: linseed , wholemeal, rye and sourdough.

So don't delay!  Investigate the possibility of owning a Trios franchise: operating a fresh and fun business and living a healthy lifestyle while helping others to enjoy food the way it's meant to be.

Click here for more information on becoming a Trios franchisee
and to view the Trios Information Video