Mark Hofmeyer and Fiona Clark own a Crust pizza franchise in the Adelaide suburb of Torrensville, and on top of that they both hold impressive job titles.

Mark is an international airline pilot, albeit he works a little less than in the past, meanwhile Fiona is the executive producer of a television news program.

A NEW CHALLENGE

Mark says the pair was looking for a new challenge/hobby, and franchising, as well as Crust, seemed to tick all of the boxes.

“With little experience in small business, [we] felt that a franchise was the best way to gain experience in this area while reducing the risks.”

He says they have, however, brought a number of other skills to the business.

“My wife and I both have a strong work ethic, good communication skills and a strong ability to multi-task and stay reasonably calm under pressure. All of these skills have definitely assisted us.”

IMPRESSIVE TRACK RECORD

Both Crust’s proven success in other Australian states, as well as the location of the Torrensville store, drew the pair to the brand.

“Crust had demonstrated itself to be a successful franchise model, particularly in Melbourne and Sydney, and as we were able to select a strong territory in a new market (Adelaide) with guaranteed boundaries, we were confident that this franchise promised success and growth over time,” Mark explains.

Successful business model aside, Mark and Fiona also opted for Crust because Australians love their food, particularly pizza.

“Pizza has been in vogue for 2000 years and is not a fad food. And people always have to eat! We felt a food business was less likely to swing with the peaks and troughs of the economic cycle, and that the popularity of pizza was here to stay,” he says.

“We enjoy good food and felt much more comfortable trying to sell something we genuinely liked as a product.”

CHALLENGES

Mark admits interacting with customers face-to-face was a bit of a shock at first. “I am used to sitting behind a bullet proof door in the cockpit of an airplane away from customers!

“Learning the best methods to deal with customer’s expectations and issues has been a real challenge but one that we are starting to gain a good handle on. It’s been a great experience developing customer service skills and meeting new people and making new friends through this business,” he adds.

Mark and Fiona do not view working together as a challenge, rather they relish the opportunity to do so. “Every Saturday night we work in the store together while our kids hang out in the office and play computer games or watch TV on their ‘pizza night,’ he says.

“Our store definitely has a very family business feel to it, which we love.”

A BRIGHT FUTURE

While the pair considers the store to be their hobby, they are nevertheless serious about its success. “With a second oven about to be installed and plans for a second store early next year, we look forward to continuing the growth of Crust in South Australia,” Mark says.

There are plans to step away from the business in order to lead a more relaxed lifestyle, as managing the store all the while fulfilling other work commitments and caring for two children under 10 can get a little hectic.

“As the business continues to grow we aim to take on more of an overseeing role rather than such a hands on one, which will allow for a better work/life balance.”

On a personal and profit-making level, the couple is hoping Crust Torrensville will enable them to enjoy an early retirement.

“We are using the profits from the business to accelerate paying off our mortgage with the aim to retire in our early 50s instead of early 60s. Got to sell a few more pizzas first!” says Mark.