Fastway franchisor awarded

Fastway Couriers franchise founder and chairman, Bill McGowan, has been recognised for his contribution to the New Zealand franchise industry with a Lifetime Achievement award from the Franchise Association of New Zealand (FANZ). The award is one of only two the association has given since its establishment in 1996.McGowan was presented with the award at a recent FANZ event in Auckland by FANZ board chairman Mike Henderson.

“With this award we are acknowledging Bill’s 20-plus years in franchising, but also his pioneering vision. He has contributed greatly not only to the New Zealand franchising industry, but has also shown how it can be done if you want to export your business,” Henderson said.

The Fastway mobile franchise – which operates in 12 countries globally – is one of the few New Zealand courier franchise systems to be successfully exported overseas.

“More than 75 per cent of the franchise businesses in New Zealand were developed here, and as franchise systems reach saturation point in this country more and more will need to be looking at overseas markets for expansion and growth,” Henderson said. “If it were me, the person I would be seeking advice from is Bill McGowan.”

McGowan founded Fastway Couriers 23 years ago with a single courier van. It is now arguably the most successful locally grown NZ franchise to expand offshore. With annual sales of NZ$258 million it is the largest global courier franchise in the world, operating more than 1,200 franchises globally.