20 Oct Small business success recognised at 2022 Excellence in Franchising Awards
18 October 2022
The Franchise Council of Australia has honoured some of the nation’s best and brightest in business at the FCA Excellence in Franchising Awards.
This year’s winner of Australian Established Franchisor of the Year is the world’s largest global franchise pool service brand – Poolwerx, with RAMS Home Loans, Mister Minit, Quest Apartment Hotels, SILK Laser Australia and CouriersPlease named as finalists in the category.
Accepting the award on behalf of Poolwerx, CEO Nicholas Brill highlighted the important contributions of their entire team, saying that “tonight it’s all about our franchise partners, its all about suppliers, its about all of our people.”
He also noted that winning was “extra special” this year, as it was the company’s thirty-year anniversary.
OMI Group was named the Australian Emerging Franchisor of the Year, with City Cave and Local Hero Singapore named as category finalists.
“We started from zero. After five years, we have eighteen outlets and three retail brands. We are honoured that two of our brands were shortlisted in this category tonight,” said Ven Chin, OMI Group Founder.
The Franchise Woman of the Year Award was won by Emma Glazebrook of MBCM Strata Specialists. Emma had recently won the Victorian Franchise Woman of the Year Award and said that she “wanted to thank my family, my team and my franchisor as they help prop me up everyday.”
The International Franchisor of the Year Award was taken out by InXpress. Quest Apartment Hotels won both the Excellence in Marketing and Franchisor Social Responsibility Awards.
Gayle & Des Purdue of Muffin Break (Coolalinga & Gateway Palmerston) were named as the Multi-Unit Franchisee of the Year. The pair were thrilled to receive the award and paid tribute to their team, saying that “they are an amazing group of people whose commitment is outstanding.”
RAMS Home Loans took out three awards, winning Excellence in Franchise Innovation. Franchisee Cheryl Haywood from RAMS (Southern Vales) took out the Single Unit Franchisee of the Year (two or more staff) award and franchisee Andrew Erlandson, RAMS (Toowoomba) won the Franchisee Community Responsibility and Contribution award.
Geotech Information Services was named this year’s Supplier of the Year, with Retail Doctor Group and GapMaps named as finalists. The Field Manager of the Year was awarded to Crystal Allen of Muffin Break.
“The last two years have represented some of the most difficult economic conditions ever experienced by Australian business. The resilience, adaptability and determination that has been demonstrated by all finalists and winners is truly outstanding,” said Franchise Council of Australia CEO, Mary Aldred.
“We commend each and every hard-working franchisee and franchisor across Australia for their vital contributions to employment, the economy and communities across our country,” said Ms Aldred.
The FCA has also announced its annual Hall of Fame inductee for 2022, with Foodco Group Executive Chairman, Serge Infanti, named as this year’s recipient of this prestigious award.
Serge was ‘born into coffee’ in his parents’ café bar in Italy. He joined Foodco in 1991 and became one of their early Franchise Partners – successfully operating two Jamaica Blue and two Muffin Break cafes.
After 20 years Foodco is now one of the largest franchised coffee brands in the UK and has established networks in New Zealand, Malaysia, the UAE, and China. There are 50 Franchise Partners who have been with Foodco for more than 10 years, and over 40 franchisees who own multiple stores.
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Media Contact: James Stevens – 0406 265 559