A host of Australian and US franchises were recently unveiled at a Sydney franchising expo, suggesting the sector is still ripe with opportunity for prospective franchisees.
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The Sydney Franchising and Business Opportunities Expo, held last weekend, attracted a wave of new Australian franchises including mobile catering business Pizza Event and Sergio’s Cake Shop.
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Other new franchise brands included The Music Bus, a mobile studio that visits schools, and kids’ educational program Eureka Multimedia.
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Established in 1999, Eureka Multimedia is the brainchild of managing director Tony Alevras, and now has more than 100 software titles across a range of categories including mathematics, literacy and games.
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Alevras says the software has been sold through major retailers, but adopting a territory-based franchising model means a new face-to-face selling approach will allow for more informed purchasing.
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He says while franchisees must be motivated, he also highlights the benefits of the work-as-you-please model, stating: “This would suit mums at home wanting flexible hours.”
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Other new franchising opportunities were presented at the expo in the form of party plan and online wine cellar The Butcher’s Table, and window coverings showroom business Luxaflex.
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Fitness franchise Muscle Beach, which supplies sports and nutritional supplements, is also new to franchising after 18 years of trading in the Australian market.
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Muscle Beach founder and chief executive Michael Clunne says Australia’s booming health and fitness industry is worth around $100 million a year in turnover.
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“Our franchisees will not only enjoy an opportunity for high financial success but also enjoy a healthy work/life balance,” Clunne says.
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Clunne says prospective franchisees must be passionate and energetic, with a genuine interest in the industry.
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Several US brands were also launched at the expo, including Mr Sandless, a mobile floor service that uses a sand-free method to treat and seal floorboards, engineered wood, ceramic tiles and laminates.
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Another new US franchise was Kooler Ice, a large-scale vending machine that serves up takeaway bags of ice.
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Meanwhile, iconic Australian brand Clark Rubber used the expo as an opportunity to promote its expansion plans, launching its new look and targeting the NSW market.
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Other established brands exhibiting at the event included Bakers Delight, Coffee Guru, Eagle Boys Pizza, Grill’d, Healthy Habits, Outback Jack’s Bar & Grill, The Cheesecake Shop, Brian Tracy International, Cartridge World, Changing Places Real Estate Consultants, Fastway Couriers, the Jim’s Group, Minuteman Press, Poolwerx and United Petroleum.
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Steve Wright, executive director of the Franchise Council of Australia, says prospective franchisees should not enter into a decision lightly, encouraging them to shop around.
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“You need to compare what the different businesses are offering; it’s the only way you’re going to reassure yourself that what you’re being offered appears to be what the market is offering,” he says.
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Meanwhile, the FCA is at loggerheads with fast food king Jack Cowin over proposed franchise laws in WA.
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Cowin, who runs Competitive Foods, which owns Hungry Jack’s, told a WA Parliamentary inquiry yesterday that strengthening WA’s franchising laws in favour of individual business owners will set a welcome national precedent.
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The inquiry is examining proposed laws introduced as a private member’s bill last year by Liberal MP Peter Abetz in a bid to protect franchisees from “rogue” franchisors.
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The FCA has slammed the bill, arguing the laws will undermine franchisors’ ability to get rid of bad operators.
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