Franchise Awards 2005 - Full Results

Electrical company Laser Group made their mark at the 2005 Westpac New Zealand Franchise Awards on Saturday night, winning the Westpac Franchise System of the Year title and taking out the Business Services category as well.

The Westpac Franchisee of the Year title which recognises the best franchisee in New Zealand went to Shiraz Hajee, who owns the Jesters Pies franchise at Sky City Metro, Auckland. This was a local win, as the glittering awards night was held at the Sky City Convention Centre.

The Awards are organised by the Franchise Association of New Zealand and mark the peak of achievement in the franchising sector.

The full list of winners is:

 

supreme awards

 

Westpac Franchise System of the Year - Supreme Award

Westpac Franchisee of the Year - Supreme Award

Shiraz Hajee, Jesters the Jaffle Pie Co, Sky City Metro

 

business services category 

 

(sponsored by BDO Spicers)

Franchise System of the Year: Laser Franchise Group

Franchisee of the Year: Laser Electrical, Rosebank

home services category 

(sponsored by Franchize Consultants (NZ) Ltd)

Franchise System of the Year: VIP Home Services

Franchisee of the Year: Mark Habel, Select Cleaning, Auckland

lifestyle category

(sponsored by Franchise New Zealand magazine & website)

Franchise System of the Year: The CACI Clinic

Franchisee of the Year: Odette Raven, CACI Clinic, Milford

 

food & beverage category

(sponsored by Brebner Print)

Franchise System of the Year: Esquires Coffee Houses

Franchisee of the Year: Shiraz Hajee, Jesters Sky City Metro

 

 

More On The Winners

 

Laser Group impressed the judges at this year's Franchise Awards so much that they took out the Westpac Franchise System of the Year supreme award as well as the Business Services category. Recognised for their dynamic management team, the 100% New Zealand-grown company began franchising six years ago and now has 69 franchisees representing over 650 employees in both the NZ and Australia, with plans for further expansion overseas. Judges Dr Alex Maritz and Carolynn Joyce commended Laser Group for their innovative systems orientation, unique integration, and paradigm shift in the franchising of electrical services.

Shiraz Hajee of Jesters the Jaffle Pie Company was awarded the ultimate accolade of Franchisee of the Year supreme title as well as the Food & Beverage franchisee award for his commitment to understanding 'everyday New Zealand' and was commended for sharing this approach with employees. Shiraz was also praised by judges for his instinctive and deep understanding of managing people, which is reflected by a long waiting list of potential employees. He was also commended for his strong 'lead by example' management style and his hands-on involvement in the day-to-day running of Jesters Sky City. Shiraz received his award from Minister for Small Business Lianne Dalziel, and amused the large audience by acknowledging her part in his success - Lianne was Minister for Immigration when Shiraz came to New Zealand a few years ago.

Laser Electrical (Rosebank) continued the winning streak for Laser by taking out the franchisee title in the Business Services category. Established in 1982, the business is the original company upon which the Laser Franchise System was founded in 1999, and is the ‘model’ franchisee business. Judge Shelley Eden felt Laser Electrical’s main point of difference is in its systems. 'The business is divided into separate business units reflecting the three main areas in which they carry out their work. Each unit is monitored according to key performance indicators and work has progressively undertaken to improve performance in each of these areas. Efficiency improvements have been impressive, with productivity rates, turnover rates, labour costs, overhead costs and average wage rates being some of the results tracked by the organisation and continuously improved,' she said. The judges were also impressed by the franchisees focus on its people, its leadership, and its ethical approach to business.

VIP Home Services won the Franchise System award in the Home Services category. VIP was founded 33 years ago in Australia and came to the New Zealand market in 1995. The franchise provides integrated residential services including lawnmowing and home cleaning. The company is managed hands-on here by national franchisors Estelle and John Logan, with a strong focus on customer care and value. Judge Carolynn Joyce was impressed with the strong management ethics and integrity of VIP Home Services. 'VIP displayed leadership and participation in their industry, and a system of regional decision-making with the introduction of master franchisees,' she said. VIP. Home Services were also commended for their financial diligence and guaranteed income for franchisees during the induction period.

Mark Habel, Select Cleaning Select Cleaning, winner of the Franchisee of the Year title in the Home Services category, began life in Auckland as the domestic arm of CleanTastic Commercial cleaning in 2003 (last year's Supreme winners). In October 2003, it was purchased by Mark Habel. Since that time the number of franchisees has grown from five to 21. Actually a master franchisee, Mark deals directly with the organisation’s customers in terms of quoting and introduction to the franchisee cleaner. Judge Shelley Eden sees Select Cleaning as an example of a simple business, run well, with great potential for the future. 'Growth in the business has been consistent; simple systems and a focus on customer service have made this a very successful business with clear goals for the future, and a focus on improvement of systems and therefore services,' she said.

The CACI Clinic won the Franchise System award in Lifestyle Services. The CACI Clinic is a beauty and appearance medicine franchise that was started 12 years ago by David and Jackie Smith. The company has now grown to a total of 15 locations around the country. Judge Brian Maude was impressed by the well qualified management team running the business.'“The market potential is phenomenal, as they have established themselves as market leaders. Excellent systems are in place to measure performance at franchisor and franchisee levels and they have also displayed excellent use of innovative techniques to communicate with their client base,' he says. The CACI Clinic was also praised for consistently looking for new and effective ways to assist their franchisees increase financial returns, and their ongoing vision which is linked to their strategic plan.

Milford CACI Clinic completed a clean sweep in Lifestyle Services for the company by taking the Franchisee of the Year title. Owned and operated by franchisees Odette Raven and her husband Andrew Raven, the CACI Clinic in Milford was a standout winner due to their high standards of customer service. Whilst excellence of practise, sound product knowledge and attractive surroundings are all part of this business, it is clear that their approach to customer service is indeed what makes them exceptional. Judge Shelley Eden was impressed by Odette’s leadership style. 'Odette leads from the front, setting the example of what makes excellent customer service. She has also surrounded herself with a high-quality team of beauty therapists who pride themselves on excellence of service delivery, she said. The financial results are also clear, with the business receiving the CACI award for best business practice in 2005 having achieved sales growth of 25% in the previous year. Continuing that trend of growth, Odette and her husband opened another CACI Clinic in October.

Esquires Coffee Houses The Food & Beverage Franchise System of the Year was introduced to New Zealand by Stuart and Lewis Deeks in 2002, and the company started franchising in 2004. Esquires has already grown to a total of 19 franchisees in New Zealand and has plans for 35 outlets by the end of 2006, including expansion into Australia. Judge Sarah Trotman commended the Esquires franchise system for their smart ideas and progressive strategies. 'Stuart Deeks has developed an excellent business model which is continuously followed by all of his staff. I was also impressed by the meticulous rewriting of their detailed business manuals. Stuart displays excellent leadership skills, and his decision to implement Fair Trade coffee into all outlets was also commended as a socially conscientious and progressive move,' she says.

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