Australian Franchise Awards - 2010 results
last updated 14/11/2010
Some of the winning names in Australia names will be familiar to New Zealanders; others are names to look out for, as they will surely be looking to expand across the Tasman in the future. Read the judges’ comments below to see what made these companies stand out. (for winners of the 2010 Westpac New Zealand Franchise Awards, go here)
Established Franchisor
Mr Rental
Having won the Merit Award in this category last year, Mr Rental raised their stocks to take out the overall title at this year’s Awards. Their submission identified a clear strategic direction (utilising franchising as the distribution method) and the significant support of franchisees, with strategies for supporting new franchisees and high performance franchisees. The connection (and support) of corporate personnel and franchisees is highly sophisticated for an organisation of this size and age.
Merit: Snap-on Tools
Emerging Franchisor
Grill'd
Grill’d is a quality burger franchise. Its founder Simon Crowe is a very passionate and articulate individual who lives and breathes the Grill’d culture & ethos – passion, ownership, leadership and trust. This was demonstrated during the interview process, which reinforced a well-formulated and ‘to the point’ submission. A strong commitment to franchising and franchisees was identified, as was the strength of the business - both financial and non-financial -including levels of investment and re-investment.
Merit: Crust Gourmet Pizza Bars
Franchisor Social Responsibility Award
Zambrero
Zambrero Fresh Mex Grill is a young and socially responsible company that has grown 500% in the last 14 months. Zambrero has started a foundation which has built 15 IT centres around the world and in the next year will feed almost a million children in developing communities through their 'emagine' foundation. Zambrero is a company truly leading the way in social responsibility in the franchising community.
Merit: Gutter-Vac
Multi-Unit Franchisee
Tony Zoobi, Franchisee, Hairhouse Warehouse
Tony Zoobi demonstrates an excellence in business management that is unsurpassed. His focus on implementing effective management structures and identifying and developing people to take over many of the owners’ responsibilities is the key to successful multi-unit franchising. Tony identifies business goals by the S.M.A.R.T. approach – specific, measureable, achievable, realistic and time-bound. A strong focus on franchise citizenship, coupled with an excellent understanding of financial performance indicators, makes Tony a worthy winner of this Award.
Franchisee (2 or more staff)
Michael Caddy, Mr Rental
It is Michael’s commitment to smart business strategy and community engagement that won him the Franchisee Award this year. Michael’s store has seen significant growth over the last 12 months and his emphasis on Local Area Marketing – contributing over $28K of his earnings in the last financial year alone - has seen his store continue the success it achieved in 2009 when it took out the WA Franchisee of the Year Award. Last financial year, Michael’s store donated over $10,000 to local charities. Demonstrating it’s more than just money that can help, Michael donates the use of his Mr Rental facilities for the Bunbury Young Voices to practice and the Leukaemia Foundation to hold fund raising events.
Franchisee (less than 2 staff)
Bruce Campbell, ActionCOACH
Bruce is a consummate professional whose motto is, ‘The more I learn the more I earn!’ Ranked as the #1 business coach among 1200 Action Coaches globally, Bruce’s franchise has doubled its sales in only two years – jumping from $514K in 2008 to over $1million in 2010. Bruce’s commitment to customer relationships saw him invest in a CRM programme to manage prospects and clients, increasing productivity in his business and providing more time for his office to better service their customers.
International Franchising Award
Boost Juice Bars
With a mission statement ‘to become one of the world’s most famous and loved brands’, Boost Juice Bars has shown a dedication to international expansion extending their brand into over 16 countries including Malaysia, South Africa, Thailand and the UK. With detailed research into each market they enter, analysis of competition and consumer behaviour, Boost has demonstrated a professional and thorough expansion strategy.
Merit: Gloria Jean’s Coffees & Foodco
Franchise Executive
Ray Bryant, CEO, Looksmart Alterations
Since taking the helm at Look Smart Alterations in 2006 as the company’s CEO, Ray Bryant has grown the business from 36 stores to 94 stores, tripled turnover and has taken the business’s reach to an international level. Ray is greatly admired by his team and franchisees for his endless dedication to growing the business intelligently and strategically, mentoring his team and developing the franchisee network in Australia and internationally.
Supplier of the Year
Donaldson Walsh Lawyers
With a focus on customer outcomes and advancing the interests of franchising in Australia, Donaldson Walsh Lawyers is a genuine champion for the franchise sector. Their dedication to the sector – over 40% of DWL staff servicing franchise clients – and a voluntary approach to educating the sector through panels, seminars and news reports, makes them deserving of this back-to-back Award.
Excellence in Marketing
Gloria Jean’s Coffees
The Gloria Jean’s Coffees ‘Australia’s Got Talent’ campaign was a success at every level. It was cleverly conceived using market research and drawing on past experiences. It was a perfect fit for their brand cleverly linking the successful TV show with the talent of their baristas and the quality of their product... and it produced excellent results. Team work, attention to detail and a real understanding of what is required for success in franchise marketing ensured the commitment of everyone in the Gloria Jean’s network to make this campaign the success that is was.
Merits: Hotondo Homes & PoolWerx “Spring $69” campaign
Contribution to Franchising Award
Lorelle Frazer, Griffith University Asia-Pacific Centre
Through significant contributions to the education of the Australian franchise community, Lorelle Frazer has shown herself to be a leader in the field of franchise education. She is the lead researcher for the biennial Franchising Australia survey, she has developed numerous graduate and post-graduate franchising courses and was the impetus behind the establishment of the Asia-Pacific Centre for Franchising Excellence at Griffith University. Her focus on educating franchise professionals and those looking to enter the sector made her a stand-out nominee at this year’s Awards.
Franchise Woman
Sara Pantaleo, CEO, La Porchetta
Sara is the CEO of La Porchetta restaurants – the largest Australian-owned franchised restaurant group in the Asia Pacific region with over 80 businesses in the group. Joining the system in 1996 to drive brand growth and renew the corporate direction, Sara quickly ascended to National Manager in 1998 and then, in 2002, was appointed as CEO. Sara drove growth from 12 franchisees to 80 and oversaw the system’s expansion into New Zealand and Indonesia.
Field Manager
Alan Fardon, RAMS
Alan is responsible for 22 franchisees and 29 sites at the RAMS home loans franchise and is a former franchisee. An example of Alan’s importance to the success of his franchisees is when he helped an average-performing franchisee develop an understanding of a new marketing opportunity introduced by RAMS. Alan helped them to establish compliance with legislation and implement new operating systems. Alan’s efforts paid off with the franchisee becoming the national record holder for highest volume of franchisee settlements in a one-month period. It is strategies like this that make Alan such a valuable asset to RAMS and their franchisees.
Franchisee Community Service Award
Greg Campbell, Mortgage Choice Unley
This win represents back-to-back success for Greg, who took out the inaugural SA and national Franchisee Community Service Award in 2009. Greg’s contributions to the Camp Quality charity for kids with cancer makes him one of the most giving franchisees in the community. He has trekked the Kokoda Trail – raising over $110,000 – but, often more importantly, Greg gives his TIME to Camp Quality as a member of the committee, attending Camps as a companion and mentor, and as a major participant at the Camp Quality fund-raising balls
We welcome links from other websites to this article. Please note that this article is copyright © Eden Exchange NZ Holdings Limited, Franchise New Zealand magazine and Franchise New Zealand On Line. While it may be downloaded for personal use, no part may be reproduced on any other website, in electronic or printed form or in any other form whatsoever.


Featured Listings
Generate KiwiSaver
Proudly New Zealand owned and operated, Generate KiwiSaver Scheme is a leading provider of KiwiSaver and Managed funds. We are seeking individuals who...

Paramount Services
A Paramount Services franchise is a safe and affordable way to own your own business. When you become a franchisee we will provide you with enough...

V.I.P. Home Services
Professional home services franchise providing flexible, multi-serviced businesses for 43+ years. Either Lawns and Gardening, or Cleaning. Exclusive...

Kitchen Studio
Established in 1984 and voted New Zealand’s Most Trusted kitchen brand eight years running, Kitchen Studio offers an exciting, rewarding opportunity for...

Choices Flooring
Be part of a new flooring retail opportunity in New Zealand where you will become part of an innovative and successful flooring brand. Choices Flooring...
