Bakers Delight has raised a record breaking $1 million for Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) during their recent Pink Bun Campaign.

This record breaking figure contributes to more than $3.7 million raised over the past nine years. Funds raised include the donation of 100% of the sale of over 2.2 million pink finger buns and for the first time this year pink bunlets. Contributions were also received from generous in-store donations and local fundraising activities.

BCNA CEO and breast cancer survivor Lyn Swinburne, is overjoyed and extremely grateful to the bakeries and local communities for their support.

“It has been the best result to date. The amazing effort from the Bakers Delight bakeries, dressing their bakery in pink and holding extra fundraising activities, has demonstrated incredible support for women diagnosed with breast cancer.”

“Around 13,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year, the generous support of Bakers Delight staff and customers enables BCNA to continue offering support to these women and their families,” Lyn Swinburne said.

Money raised will go towards BCNA’s My Journey Kit - a comprehensive information kit distributed free of charge regardless of where the woman lives in Australia - to help them on their journey through breast cancer.

An important element of the Pink Bun Campaign is the opportunity to link breast cancer survivors with their local community. A large number of BCNA representatives assisted their local Bakers Delight by interacting with the community to inform and educate them about BCNA and the local support available to those affected by breast

cancer.

For more information about the fundraising campaign visit: www.pinkbun.com.au

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Small retailers still face $22,000 wage bill rise

Peak retail industry body the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has congratulated Minister Gillard for acknowledging the financial impact of the modern award on the restaurant and catering sector and is calling for the same rationale to apply to small retailers facing an average 14 percent wage bill increase.

ARA Executive Director Richard Evans said the modern retail award would cost a small retailer an average of $22,000 in increased wage bills* and transitional provisions would only delay the devastating impact on small business owners.

"By requesting the AIRC removes restaurants and catering from the Hospitality Industry Award, Minister Gillard has recognised the increased costs and job losses facing small businesses as a result of new award conditions," Evans said.

"The same rationale must apply to the retail sector, with small retailers facing unviable wage increases forcing employers to shed staff and close shop doors.

"Any intentions Minister Gillard or the AIRC have to address this problem via transitional provisions will not prevent an increase in costs. They will merely be phased in with the same end result - fewer jobs and fewer shops*.

"We are urging Minister Gillard to instruct the AIRC to immediately review penalty rate structures and rostering arrangements outlined in the new retail award, taking into account the modern retail environment driven by consumer demand.

"Under the new award small retailers are penalised for meeting consumer demands of deregulated shopping hours, with overtime and loadings taking effect after prescribed working days not prescribed working hours. This means to stay open and meet consumer demand a small retailer must pay more for staff to flip burgers or sell shoes on a Sunday than they do on a Monday.

"Small retailers operating under the new retail award won't be able to afford to open on weekends or after hours without passing costs onto consumers or shedding staff.

"Transitional provisions are not the answer - this will only delay the unviable financial impact of archaic penalty rate structures, casual loadings and other 'old world' rostering arrangements. Small business owners need Minister Gillard to apply the same reasonable thinking to retailers as she did to the restaurants and catering sector," Evans said.

For over 104 years, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has been the peak industry body in Australia's $292 billion retail sector which employs over 1.5 million people. As an incorporated employer body under the Workplace Relations Act and with a range of member services including business consulting, policy development, advocacy and education, the ARA promotes and protects over 5000 independent and national retailers throughout Australia. Visit www.retail.org.au or call 1300 368 041.

  No-Cost Solar Energy Offer for Australian Home Owners

Mortgage Choice partners with Diamond Energy

Australia’s largest independently-owned mortgage broker, Mortgage Choice is pleased to announce an exciting solar energy offer in partnership with Diamond Energy. The unique offer is unmatched in the marketplace in terms of outgoings to those who take it up.

The offer, available only until 25 June 2009, enables Australian home owners who meet the eligibility criteria to generate free electricity in their homes with the installation of top-of-the-range solar panels (photovoltaic cells) to the roof of their home at no cost to them. The solar cells packages have a retail value of up to $10,000 and can add significant capital value to the home going forward.

To take advantage of the offer, keen home owners, new or old, must contact their local Mortgage Choice office. They do not need to have a loan through Mortgage Choice or commit to anything other than the solar energy offer. To be eligible, they must own their own roof and have a combined household income less than $100,000 p.a. for the 07/08 financial year. Those with solar panels already fitted to their home’s roof are not eligible.

Mortgage Choice senior corporate affairs manager, Kristy Sheppard said, “In these challenging economic times Mortgage Choice is thrilled to be involved in such a positive step for Australian families, homes and our environment. With reduced energy bills thanks to a top-of-the-range solar panel system, borrowers can put the extra savings into their mortgage and pay it off sooner while adding value to their home.”

“We are really excited to offer these units, supplied to us by Diamond Energy, which is supported by Lend Lease Ventures, at no cost to home owners until 25 June this year.”

“There is no catch. Diamond Energy makes $8,000 back from each installation and approximately $1,000 from program participants signing over their renewable energy certificates, thanks to the Federal Government's ‘Solar Homes and Communities Plan’ cash rebate for grid connect solar power. Home owners enjoy the savings benefit of greatly reduced energy bills, as well as taking a positive step towards “greening” their lifestyles for the benefit of all.”

Not to be confused with solar hot water, this ‘Solar Affinity’ system is a silent, green energy generation method that supplements electricity drawn from the grid. Over time, it can save the home owner large amounts on energy bills. Each photovoltaic (solar) cell is projected to recoup the energy output used for its creation in four years.

This system does not exclude each individual home from the grid: program participants will have a reliable energy source in the event of irregular solar energy production. As an added incentive, if the participant’s home generates more energy through the solar panels than is required to meet all its electricity needs, the excess will be fed back into the grid and a rebate paid therefore attracting additional electricity savings for the home owner.

Once the customer’s rebate application has been approved they will be contacted to arrange for the system to be installed and made fully operational. The panels have a 25-year warranty.

Cheesecake joins other Sensations donut flavours such as Blueberry & White Chocolate, Banana Custard & Caramel, Double Choc Marble, Cookies & Choc Mousse, Apple & Rhubarb Crumble, Strawberry & Cream, White Choc Marble and Vanilla Glazed.

Click here to request more information about this story or for Donut King Franchising Opportunities

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Idol sponsorship deal sealed

KFC has signed up to be one of the sponsors for the next series of Australian Idol.

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Franchisees trading as usual

Creditors met with administrators this week to discuss the future of the five companies of a collapsed wholesale business which is $2.2 million in debt.  The franchisees attached to the wholesale companies are not in administration and are still trading as usual.

Click here for more about this story

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Franchising Report Comment

Small Business Minister Craig Emerson has made some long-awaited comments regarding the franchising report which was tabled in Parliament almost six months ago.

We welcome Jason Gerkhe from the Franchise Advisory Centre with his comments regarding the Minister's announcement:

"Ever since the inquiry recommendations were reported in December, there has been a lot of anticipation and speculation about the implications for the franchise sector.   The Minister's announcement is some news for the stakeholders involved in the inquiry, although details of the nature and extent of the targetted consultation to be undertaken are yet to be revealed.  

Whatever consultation will be done will occur in a short timeframe given the announcement that the Minister expects consultations to start in the next few weeks, and a final response will be tabled in late July.

I'm looking forward to seeing more details."

Click here to visit the Franchisory Advisory Centre

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newsletter edition 148 first published 5.6.09

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