Bakers Delight announces expansion plans

Australia’s most successful bakery franchise to recruit 150 new franchisees and 500 apprentice bakers in 2009.

Bakers Delight , Australia’s most successful retail bakery franchise, today announced plans for further expansion across its Australian, New Zealand and Canadian operations in 2009.

While much of the retail sector is feeling the pinch of the global financial crisis and in cut-back mode, Bakers Delight is trending positively against the economic downturn. As part of an aggressive growth campaign, the company is looking to recruit 150 new franchisees across its international network and will also hire 500 apprentice bakers to help facilitate this growth.

Bakers Delight continues to enjoy steady growth and is on track to post global revenues of $570 million in FY09 and over six per cent growth in Australia alone.

Roger Gillespie, co-founder and CEO of Bakers Delight food and beverage franchise announced, “Our business is in growth, despite economic pressures. We provide households with a staple product offering and are seeing more people go back to basics rather than splurging on big ticket items.

“The market for fresh bread continues to grow in line with the trend towards healthy eating at home; Bakers Delight currently holds a 14.6 per cent share of the Australian market,” Roger added. The fresh bread market in Australia is currently worth AUD $2.69 billion.

Bakers Delight’s expansion plans in 2009 will see it look for franchisees for new and existing sites across the network. Opportunities include 25 across NSW and ACT, 19 in WA, 18 across VIC and TAS, 18 in QLD, 15 across SA and NT, five in New Zealand and 50 in Canada, where the company trades under COBS Bread.

“It represents a great opportunity for anyone looking to operate a business or work in a thriving retail environment that can withstand even the toughest of economic times – our business continues to demonstrate this 28 years on,” Roger said.

“The holiday season is traditionally a time when people reassess their options and the growth and security of the franchising industry is likely to hold great appeal as many people approach 2009 with a sense of uncertainty as other companies consider cut backs.”

Bakers Delight boasts a franchise success rate of over 90 per cent. So successful is its franchise model that 40 per cent of its bakeries are owned by franchisees with more than one site.

“The success of the network is largely attributable to the emphasis on Bakers Delight’s franchise training, proven systems and ongoing operational support,” he added.

For the 500 apprentice bakers Bakers Delight intends to recruit during 2009, good news also abounds. “Over 30 per cent of our franchisees started their career as an apprentice so an apprenticeship with Bakers Delight is more than just a job; it’s a starting point for a career that can often lead to bakery management and ownership,” Roger said.