FCA announces winners of 2011 Westpac FCA Excellence in Franchising Awards

The Franchise Council of Australia (FCA) has announced the winners of the Westpack FCA Excellence in Franchising Awards for 2011, which was presented during a Gala Dinner on a Tuesday night.

The top contender for the night was Hairhouse Warehouse who won the major award of the evening with Established Franchisor of the Year 2011. The co-founders of Hairhouse Warehouse, Tony Lattouf and Joseph Lattouf, believed the recognition proved the success of their business model.

“Our business has been recognised by the most credible authority in franchising,” says the Hairhous Warehouse co-founders.

“This award reinforces our leadership position in the Hair and Beauty Industry. It means that we can leverage the award to attract a greater team and greater franchisee prospects.”

The next big winner was the Coffee Club, which won three categories of Excellence in Marketing, Multi-unit Franchisee of the Year and Franchisee of the Year – two or more staff.

“The marketing award means more franchisee engagement in our marketing programs because we have been recognised as being marketing leaders within the franchise industry,” said Nick Vincent, General Manager Marketing of the Coffee Club.

“The entire awards submission process was beneficial because it gave buy-in across all departments. It reminded us too, on the efforts the marketing team put in to rolling out national promotions.”

The 2011 Westpac FCA Excellence in Franchising Awards was held in the Grand Ballroom at the Sebel Albert Park with more than 500 people attending the yearly event.

The awards represent the pinnacle of franchise achievements, at state and national level, with a celebration for the hardworking teams and individuals in the industry.

Professor Andrew Terry, Chair of the independent judging panel and from the University of Sydney Business School, said this 2011’s award winners held an extremely high calibre.

“All of this year’s winners have certainly set the bar very high for others in the franchising sector to try and emulate,” said Professor Terry.

“To all those that didn’t win, the awards process still enables people to have a very good look at their businesses and see where they can improve moving towards the coming year. In essence, everyone who enters these awards is a winner.”