Aussie franchisor calls franchise law pathetically weak

September 2009 - As Australia debates further reforms of its franchising code of conduct with the South Australian parliament threatening legislation at state level, one of the country's largest franchisors has come out in favour of reform.

Australian Code Changes Again

November 2009 - The Australian Government is to amend its Franchising Code of Conduct in response to the 2008 Franchising Code Inquiry.

Australian code changes to be last for some time?

3 March 2010 - Australian Small Business Minister Craig Emerson has announced Franchise Code reforms but suggests a breather on further changes.

Australian Franchise Awards - 2009 results

The Franchise Council of Australia has named the winners of its 2009 Awards.

Bakers Delight launches new brand strategy

Jukly 2010 - Leading bakery retailer Bakers Delight has unveiled its new long-term brand strategy, investing in a major repositioning of the business to ensure its continued growth in a changing market

Banker joins FANZ Board

Franchise Association members have elected Westpac banker Daniel Cloete to the FANZ Board

BEAN COUNTERS predict Aussie election results

With the soccer predictions of Paul the Octopus still fresh in our minds, another off-beat method of determining winners has been launched by the Muffin Break franchise.

Cash Converters pays $60k for credit slip-up

March 2010 - Cash Converters' accidental breach of finance rules cost it $60,000 in charity donations

Class action possible in Green Acres case

March 2010 - With the case against Green Acres master franchisee Keith Lapham due to come to court shortly, some of his alleged victims are threatening a class action against the franchisor

Cleaning franchise throws down environmental gauntlet

The success of the Clean Planet franchise has thrown down a gauntlet to companies sticking to cleaning products that contain potentially damaging chemicals

Consultant banned as director and manager

The name of franchise consultant Campbell Shorland Spencer has been published as a banned director and manager on the New Zealand Companies Office website.

CookieTime wins Autism NZ auction

April 2010 - Cookie Time franchise founders have come out on top in an innovative charity auction

Court of Appeal decision bolsters protection for franchisors

April 2010 - Last year’s judgement by the Court of Appeal that upheld the effectiveness of notices to franchise buyers that they should get their own specialist advice has been reinforced in another case.

Don't Be A Dummy

Mike Smart reviews the latest edition of Small Business for Dummies.

Esquires NZ takes cafe culture to China

October 2010 - New Zealand franchisor Esquires Coffee Houses has signed a new deal to open 250 stores in China, and numerous other Kiwi businesses are set to benefit from the flow-on effects.

False franchisors plead guilty

16 October 2009 - The Commerce Commission has welcomed the conviction and sentencing today of Stewart John Brown and Robert Llewelyn Parr

FANZ Board loses only lawyer

Paul Brown of commercial cleaning franchisor Paramount Services has been elected to the Board of the Franchise Association, but sole legal representative David Foster lost his position.

FANZ seeks to extend chairman’s term

Franchise Association members are being asked to vote to extend the maximum term for which a Chairman may remain in office from two years to three under a special motion currently before members.

Fastway franchisees show way out of recession

While the recession has hit many hard, the franchise arm of Fastway Couriers is experiencing a strong upwards shift with more franchisees and more business

Fastway Group announces increased turnover

July 2009 - The Fastway group of companies has achieved a positive sales growth result despite trying economic times, with the announcement of their 2008/2009 annual turnover figure of $458 million. This is up 3.8% from $441 million in 2007/2008.

Franchise Awards 2008 - Full Results

Paramount Commercial Cleaning has been named New Zealand's top franchise for 2008 in a stunning victory for the home-grown system. The Supreme Award for franchisees went to the team at Quest Serviced Apartments, Newmarket.

Franchise Awards 2009 - Full Results

There are some brand new names and some familiar faces on the winners' list for this year's Westpac New Zealand Franchise Awards, which were announced on Saturday 14th November.

FRANCHISE SURVEY seeking big response from franchisors

Questionnaires must be in by 12 September 2010 for the first major survey of franchising in New Zealand since 2003

Franchising outlook more positive, but concerns remain

6 April 2010 - The inaugural Franchising Confidence Index, a quarterly survey of New Zealand franchising confidence caried out by Franchize Consultants, has just been released.

FRANCHISORS HAPPY with expo response

August 2010 - Optimism was in the air at this year’s Business Opportunities & Franchise Expo.

Howards Storage World changes dates for new NZ master franchisee meetings

June 2010 - Australian franchisor Howards Storage World has delayed meeteting with prospective partners for the New Zealand master franchise until next month.

Jani-King Australasia takes P.R.I.D.E in recognising team achievements

April 2010 - Jani-King Australasia has launched its P.R.I.D.E initiative with franchisor team members from Auckland receiving the first awards.

LOGO BLUSHES for Stirling Sports

June 2010 - An unfortunate error over the World Cup logo has embarrassed the Stirling Sports franchise.

McDonald's ‘not looking for multi-millionaires'

September 2009 - How much does it cost to buy a McDonald's franchise? Less than you might think.

McDonald’s New Zealand founder dies

McDonald’s New Zealand’s founding father, Hugh Morris, has passed away in Auckland after a long battle with ill health.

MIXED FORTUNES for franchises overseas

New Zealand franchises which have expanded overseas are meeting with mixed fortunes – and the same applies to overseas franchises operating here.

MORE LEGISLATION could impact on franchising

June 2010 - Following coverage about the possible impact upon franchising of the Ministry of Economic Development’s consultation on the criminalisation of cartel behaviour, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs is now releasing a discussion document on plans to ‘review and rationalise’ consumer law in New Zealand.

Muffin Break franchisor buys out NZ master

7 April 2010 - The Australian Foodco company has bought the New Zealand licensee for its Muffin Break, Jamaica Blue and Dreamy Donuts btrands.

New names stand for FANZ Board

July 2010 - Two new names are among those standing for the Board of the Franchise Association of New Zealand

new online tool from Department of Labour provides HELP FOR SMALL BUSINESSES

July 2010 - The Department of Labour has launched a new information tool about employment relations and health and safety for small business owners and self-employed people.

New support for franchise expo 2010

This year's Business Opportunities and Franchise Expo will be supported by Franchise New Zealand magazine & website

New Survey to Measure Scale of Franchising Sector

A new study led by Massey University, in partnership with Griffith University in Brisbane, aims to measure the growth of franchising in New Zealand and how much it contributes to the national economy.

NZ company cleans up in India

Two immigrants' enthusiasm for the franchise they bought will see Dunedin-based Crest Commercial Cleaning operating in around a dozen cities in India and providing employment for thousands of people there by 2012.

Paper Plus franchisees reinvest in brand

19 October 2009 - Paper Plus Group has announced a nationwide plan that will involve the refitting of the entire network of 106 Paper Plus stores over the next two years. The franchise, which has an annual turnover approaching $200 million, also intends to open an additional 15-25 stores around New Zealand.

Paramount Services continues acquisitions as franchise grows

June 2010 – Leading commercial cleaning franchise Paramount Services has bought privately-owned Security Cleaning Services for an undisclosed sum.

Peter Bassett - Laser Group

Service provider award reflects confidence and trust

The Franchise Coach has been named New Zealand's Service Provider of the Year at the Westpac New Zealand Franchise Awards 2009/2010.

South Australian bill a dead weight on franchising

December 2009 - The Franchise Council of Australia has denounced a newly-introduced private member's bill as a dead weight on South Australian franchising

Stimulating small business gets best results

December 2009 - A new study showing that small business is the powerhouse of the economy has caused a significant policy change in the application of stimulus funds in the US. Win Robinson suggests New Zealand could benefit from the same approach.

Survey says conditions remain tough for franchisors and franchisees

7 July 2010 – The second quarterly survey of New Zealand franchising confidence finds positive but falling sentiment acrosss many key franchising indicators.

ten point plan for GST RATE CHANGE

An overview of the GST rate change and how the change could impact your business practices (this is not intended to be a description of all of the GST changes).

The need for caution

December 2009 - What are the lessons for potential franchise buyers from the successful prosecution of two men for misrepresentation in selling franchises? We’ve spoken to one of the victims and learned more about how the men lied – including pretending to be a successful franchisee. We also look at the most common type of complaints about franchises made to the Commerce Commission.

The World's Top 100 Franchises 2009

A new list from US and European website specialists Franchise Direct ranks the world's top 100 franchises in 2009.

Twenty percent of franchisees ‘HAD NO IDEA WHAT THEY WERE GETTING INTO’

June 2010 - A recent survey of 345 Australian franchisees found that 20% of respondents admitted that they had no idea of what they were getting into when they bought a franchise. The survey also came up with some other headline-grabbing statistics.

UK Scheme Helps Franchisees Find Finance

We find out about a government programme that makes it easier for small businesses and franchises in the UK to access the finance they need.

US franchisor excited by NZ prospects

US franchisor Dan Benton of NexCen was in New Zealand recently. We caught up with him in Christchurch where he was about to start a series of meetings with people and companies interested in master licence opportunities with his company

Xpress Art franchisors PUT IN THE HARD YARDS

August 2010 - Anyone who thinks that franchisees do all the work while franchisors sit back and take it easy should have been at the Franchise Expo after it closed on Sunday night.

Make the most of the Expo

July 2010 - Get your FREE TICKET for the Auckland Business Opportunities & Franchise Expo in Auckland in August, and use these tips to help you make the most of your time there

New support for franchise expo 2010

This year's Business Opportunities and Franchise Expo will be supported by Franchise New Zealand magazine & website