Battery World‘s Ipswich store has taken out the top title at the franchise’s annual national conference, being named Franchisee of the Year and also claiming a prize for Marketing Excellence.

Franchisees from all 76 stores, as well as management and suppliers, gathered at the Novotel Coffs Harbour Pacific Bay Resort over the weekend where a total of eight awards were given out.

Lawnton was named the Best New Franchisee and Townsville took out the Community Recycler of the Year award. The Operations Excellence award went to Tweed Heads and Burleigh while Geelong was named Battery World’s most improved store.

In the group categories, Western Australia (Perth) won the Marketing Excellence award, while Western Australia (as a regional group including Perth, Mandurah, Bunbury and Albany) were the Community Recyclers of the Year.

“The conference was a great opportunity for franchisees and staff to focus on what is important in our business and set new goals to continue our position as the leader in the growing alternative power market,” said Battery World general manager, John Pascoe.

He added that the Ipswich store, owned by husband and wife team Ruthie and Howdie Farrar, had excelled in all aspects of their business since launching in November 2009, including consistently breaking sales records across the group.

“This is the first time a franchisee with less than three years experience has won the Franchisee of the Year award. The Farrars are a great example of what our stores can achieve when they adhere to the Battery World franchise model,” Pascoe said.

Battery World will this year continue to focus on expansion in NSW, with another five major territories planned for Sydney.