Queensland franchises on a roll

Queensland franchises have dominated the $80 billion sector’s national awards this week, taking out two of three major awards.

A total of seven awards were presented at the Franchise Council of Australia Franchisor of the Year Awards ceremony this week, following the national conference in Sydney. Brisbane-based PoolWerx franchise took the Best Franchise System of the Year award for entry capital under $50,000, while the Bartercard franchise claimed the same award for the $50,000 - $200,000 category.

Melbourne-based Bakers Delight franchise took the prize for franchise systems which require entry capital of $200,000 plus as well as the overall title of Franchisor of the Year.

The Gold Coast-based Bartercard compounded the Queensland windfall, taking out the Franchise System Export Award in an unprecedented double victory.

PoolWerx CEO and newly appointed Queensland representative on the Franchise Council Board John O’Brien said the franchising’s sector conference and award ceremony, which attracted more than 450 people, featured a strong Queensland presence.

“The southern states continue to be surprised … there was a disproportionate number of Queensland speakers and icons, enthusiastically received by a disproportionately weighted Queensland audience,” he said.

Australia has 722 national and international franchise operations of which Queensland-based operations account for 30 per cent, but Griffith University associate professor Lorelle Frazer that care needs to be taken in operating a franchise.

Ms Frazer presented her research at the annual conference into why franchisees failed. While the number of franchises in Australia had remained about 700 for the past three years, the number of franchisees had increased by more than eight per cent. She said franchisors and franchisees had to be careful about their choices with franchisors not simply accepting anyone who had a cheque and franchisees doing research into franchises rather than making rash choices.