2010 Excellence in Franchising Awards - Winners Announced!

Written on the 17 November 2010

Winners from the national categories in the 2010 Excellence in Franchising Awards were announced at a gala dinner on the 12th October on the Gold Coast – as the climax of the 2010 National Franchise Convention.

Over 450 of Australian franchising’s best and brightest were in attendance to celebrate the achievements of franchisors, franchisees and suppliers.

- To view photos (and free downloads) from the night, please click here and enter password fcaawards010
- To view regional results & photos from August / September click here

And the National winners are...

Established Franchisor of the Year – Mr Rental

Taking out the Merit Award in this category last year, it is a sign of the tremendous growth of the Mr Rental system in the last 12 months that has raised their stocks to take out the “big one” at this year’s Awards. In their submission, clear strategic direction was identified (utilising franchising as the distribution method), as too was 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 of the Year - Grill'd

Grill’d 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 franchisee’s was identified, as was the strength of the business - both financial and non-financial -including levels of investment and re-investment. Grill’d may well be an emerging franchise now, but they are ticking all the right boxes to establish themselves as a major player in Australian franchising.
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 of the Year – Tony Zoobi, Franchisee, Hairhouse Warehouse

Tony 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 of the Year (2 or more Staff) – Michael Caddy, Mr Rental

It is Michael’s commitment to smart business strategy and community engagement that sees him take out 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 taking out the WA Franchisee of the Year Award. Last financial year Michael’s store donated over $10,000 to local charities and 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 of the Year (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 2 years – jumping from $514K in 2008 to over $1million in 2010. Bruce’s commitment to customer relationships saw him invest in a CRM program 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 of the Year – 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’ 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 deserved of this back-to-back Award.

Excellence in Marketing Award – 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 of the Year – 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 systems expansion into New Zealand and Indonesia.

Field Manager of the Year – Alan Fardon, RAMS

Alan is responsible for 22 franchisees and 29 sites at RAMS 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 makes 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

For more information on the awards, or the Franchise Council of Australia, click here.