We are also joined today by the FCA with its comments about the Ketchell decision and what it means to franchising.

And, from the "Things that make you go hmmmmmm department" we have a look at a truly 'hypnotic' franchise concept that didn't quite measure up; and we link you up with a free search engine ranking tool which can help you to see just how well your website is doing at optimising its world wide web position.  

All this and much more in today's edition ...

Join us again next time, when we will be delivering all the latest news

and opportunities from across Australia and around the globe. 

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Have a great weekend!

1000 cars over next two years: Aussie Franchise cleans up in the US

The United States arm of Australian franchise success story ecowash mobile predicts it will have 1000 cars on the road within two years. And preeminent US franchising guru Dan Martin has described the franchise system as “tenfold anything I’ve seen” in the industry.

Since unveiling their first US franchise in Las Vegas last August, ecowash mobile has moved into Miami, Florida and San Diego California in the second phase of a dramatic expansion drive across Northern America.

Traditionally the franchise system benchmark for the rest of the world, the interest generated in the US by the Aussie newcomer has been phenomenal. From a two car Sydney operation 2004, ecowash mobile has now established itself in 12 countries as well as reaching over 50 franchises in Australia.

“We believe that the concentration of new development will happen swiftly in Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego Counties, Phoenix Arizona, Texas, Florida and Georgia.  We are however getting inquiries from the mid west and the north east.

“We were on the news last week in San Diego and will be on the news again in Las Vegas next Monday, both on major TV Stations.”

Of plans for 1000 cars in two years, Watorski said “It is ambitious but doable. Once the cat is really out of the bag in terms of brand recognition around the US, we expect things to escalate rapidly – and we have opened the bag.”

Carlos Fernandez is a multi-unit franchise owner in Miami, Florida. He discovered ecowash mobile at the beginning this year via the Australian website when researching franchise opportunities. “I literally fell upon concept and fell in love with it,” he said.

Since putting his first car on the road in July, he now has three cars in Miami Beach, downtown Miami and Coral Gables and is in the process of registering another four. 

“I have a goal of 8 cars by the end of September. The concept is amazing and the Miami market is receiving us with open arms.  Response from just the Coral Gables territory has been so strong that we have had no time to actually get down and market ourselves to the other territories.”

Click here for more information about ecowash Franchising in Australia and internationally

Aussie Pooch Mobile franchisee, Toni Ambrose from Albany Creek has taken out the coveted National Franchisee of the Year, presented at last week’s Aussie Pooch Mobile International Conference in Sydney.

The award is hotly contested by over 150 operators and is the icing on the cake for Toni who has been with Aussie Pooch Mobile for 3½ years.

“Winning this award is amazing,” says Tina. Since buying my Aussie Pooch Mobile franchise I’ve never looked back. I’ve already built my business to a point where I’ve spilt off and sold a portion of the franchise and am now looking at expanding further.”

Awards aside, there is one thing these three dynamic women share – passion. And it’s a passion that Chris Taylor, founder of Aussie Pooch Mobile says is the absolute essence of Aussie Pooch Mobile.

All three throw themselves relentlessly into many events to help raise money for charity including RSPCA, Variety Queensland, The Animal Welfare League, Lions Hearing Dogs, Assistance Dogs and Breast Cancer Awareness.

“I am so fortunate to be doing something I love, that I want to be able to give back to the community,” explains Lisa. “Being involved in worthwhile causes, and helping others, is extremely humbling. It’s the Aussie Pooch philosophy and something I feel extremely proud to be a part of,” says Lisa whose sentiments are echoed by both Toni and Tina.

So it looks as though these dynamic Queensland women are definitely barking up the right tree.

Click here for more information about Aussie Pooch Mobile franchising

This week’s decision by the High Court of Australia in the ‘Ketchell’ case provides a welcome return to contract stability in the $128 billion franchising sector, according to the sector’s peak representative body, the Franchise Council of Australia.

FCA chairman John O’Brien said the court ruling had eliminated a doubt which had hung over the sector since an unexpected ruling by the NSW Court of Appeal earlier this year in the Ketchell v Master Education Services case.

“This decision means we can return to confidence in the pivotal contract which underpins franchising across Australia and all over the world – the agreement between franchisor and franchisee about how they will conduct business to their mutual benefit,” Mr O’Brien said.

The NSW Court of Appeal ruled that a breach of the Franchising Code of Conduct (which governs franchising agreements) rendered the agreement illegal, potentially opening the way for opportunistic litigation by a franchisor or franchisee.  The High Court ruling effectively overturns that Court of Appeal ruling and restores the contract stability the sector has enjoyed over the past 30 years.

The High Court ruled that a breach did not necessarily bring a franchise contract to an end, as other remedies were available – a position put by the FCA in its submission to the High Court ahead of it agreeing to hear the case.

FCA Executive Director Steve Wright said clarification provided by the High Court was exactly what the FCA had been seeking on behalf of the whole franchising community – franchisors, franchisees and advisers.

"The five - nil judgement by the Full Court judges meant there was no room for ambiguity or ambit claims by any party seeking to exploit uncertainty," Mr Wright said.

The High Court heard the case in June.  It was a timely hearing because the Federal Court had added to uncertainty by rejecting the Ketchell case determination by the NSW Court of Appeal.  In the case Hoy Mobile Pty Ltd v Allphones Retail Pty Ltd, his Honour Justice Rares said that the NSW Court of Appeal was “plainly wrong” in its reasoning in the Ketchell case and that the judgement should not be followed.

Mr Wright said the FCA took the decision to fund the appeal after exhaustive consultation across the sector – in all state divisions and with the help of the FCA legal committee Chaired by Stephen Giles, a Partner at Law firm Deacons and the leading author on franchise law in Australia.  Mr Giles managed the High Court appeal process to ensure that the costs of both franchisor and franchisee were met by the FCA.

“The professionalism of the FCA submission and the fact that the High Court recognised this in agreeing to hear the case was testament to the thorough work which went into both the preparation for the case and ensuring a comprehensive summary of the facts and issues involved was presented to the High Court.” Mr Wright said.

“The decision also will help clear up a number of cases in courts around the country - especially in NSW - where applicants have been waiting for a High Court ruling.”

Click here for more detailed reports regarding the Ketchell decision

POOL and spa care franchise PoolWerx has continued its award-winning blitz in 2008 with Business Development Executive Lyn Wicks picking up the Queensland Franchise Council of Australia’s coveted ‘Franchise Woman of the Year’ Award. Ms Wicks said she was very proud to be recognised, but was adamant it reflected the hard work and recognition all of the women in PoolWerx deserved.

“I accept this award on behalf of my team at PoolWerx who deserve unlimited recognition for their dedication to PoolWerx and to the franchising industry in general,” she said.

“I have always made an effort to take an outcomes-oriented approach to my work and not to be distracted by personal awards, but I appreciate the recognition and am greatly honoured.”

PoolWerx CEO John O’Brien said Ms Wicks’ contribution to PoolWerx was so great it was almost immeasurable.

“Lyn’s commitment to excellence at PoolWerx has been felt across all corners of the business, she is very highly regarded by everyone she does business with,” he said.

“She was instrumental in creating our highly successful partnership with The Royal Life Saving Society of Australia and has well and truly led our growth in the real estate sector; she is an amazingly talented woman.

 “I am constantly impressed with her energy and commitment and I personally congratulate her on winning this award.”

Click here for more information about PoolWerx Franchising

Click here for more information about the regional winners in the MYOB Excellence in Franchising Awards

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Mrs Fields files for Bankruptcy

but Andrew Benefield, MD of Mrs Fields Australia has said that Mrs Fields (Famous Brands in the USA) filing for bankruptcy will not impact business here.

Click here for the full story

And the Winners are......

Organised by the Franchise Council of Australia (FCA), the MYOB Excellence in Franchising Awards recognise the outstanding achievements of hard working individuals and organisations in the growth and development of their businesses and their contribution towards franchising in Australia.

At regional events held in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane this week, winners were announced in the following categories: Franchisee of the Year, Franchise Woman of the Year and Emerging Franchise System of the Year.

Click here for a list of all of the winners

More details about the Ketchell decision

are available by

clicking here

Search Engine Ranking

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Hire A Hubby maintenance and home assistance business is set for overseas expansion, with its first international franchise opening in the UK.  

Click here for the full story

From the Inside Franchising
“Things that make you go hmmmm ..." department:

Your eyes are getting heavy ... you are getting sleepy .... or, maybe not ... ?!

A hypnosis business that advertised help for people who want to lose weight, quit smoking and reduce stress has gone out of business weeks after some questions were raised about the 'credentials' of its hypnotists and other business practices. 

Click here for the full story

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