National Franchising Awards winners recognised by Franchise Council of Australia

The best in Australian small business was celebrated recently, with the Franchise Council of Australia announcing the national winners of the 2010 Excellence in Franchising Awards.

Announced at a gala dinner on the Gold Coast, the Excellence in Franchising Awards recognise the success of hard working small business people in the Australian franchise sector.

Taking out the Merit Award in the Established Franchisor category last year, Mr Rental was this year announced as the Established Franchisor of the Year.

In the company’s submission, the franchise advisory body identified a solid support system for franchisees, with strategies for supporting new and high performance franchises, as well as a strong connection between corporate personnel and franchisees.

This, the franchise advisory body noted, is highly sophisticated for an organisation of Mr Rental’s size and age.

Demonstrating that franchising success equals the sum of its parts, WA Mr Rental franchisee Michael Caddy was awarded with the Franchisee of the Year (two or more staff) award.

Michael Caddy and his team at Mr Rental South West have shared in the company’s growth over the past 12 months, with an emphasis on local area marketing and community engagement.

The store donated over $10,000 to local charities last financial year, and consistently offers the use of its facilities for the Bunbury Young Voices to practise and the Leukaemia Foundation to hold fund raising events.

Zambrero Fresh Mex Grill took out the Franchisor Social Responsibility Award, with the franchise advisory body recognising the work the company has done in building 15 information technology centres in rural communities around the world.

In the next year, the company aims to feed almost a million children in developing communities through their ‘emagine’ foundation.

Other winners announced include:

• Emerging Franchisor of the Year - Grill'd
• Multi-Unit Franchisee of the Year – Tony Zoobi, Franchisee, Hairhouse Warehouse
• Franchisee of the Year (less than 2 staff) – Bruce Campbell, ActionCOACH
• International Franchising Award – Boost Juice Bars
• Franchise Executive of the Year – Ray Bryant, CEO, Looksmart Alterations
• Supplier of the Year - Donaldson Walsh Lawyers
• Excellence in Marketing Award – Gloria Jean’s Coffees
• Franchise Woman of the Year – Sara Pantaleo, CEO, La Porchetta
• Field Manager of the Year – Alan Fardon, RAMS; and
• Franchisee Community Service Award – Greg Campbell, Mortgage Choice.