Some of Australia’s leaders in the franchising industry have been praised in the 2011 Australian Business Awards, with Gloria Jean’s Coffees, Zarraffa’s Coffee and Brazilian Butterfly all being named as amongst the country’s most progressive businesses.

Now in its sixth year, the Australian Business Awards recognise organisations that demonstrate the core values of business excellence, product excellence, corporate responsibility, sustainability and commercial success in their respective industries.

Gloria Jean’s Coffees collected two award wins for Marketing Excellence and Community Contribution. Zarraffa’s Coffee and beauty salon franchise, Brazilian Butterfly were both winners in the Enterprise award category, which recognises organisations that have achieved commercial success whilst undertaking bold new ventures.

Zarraffa’s Coffee CEO Kenton Campbell said he is pleased his company, franchisees, staff and business operation have been recognised for their efforts.

“This acknowledgment is a clear reinforcement that our measured plan to create healthy franchise partnerships, while strengthening our brand through product and service, has paid off”, he said.

“Our 15 years in the coffee business, in both retail and wholesale, have provided us with the know-how to take the brand further and we look forward to building on our existing 46 stores by expanding into new territories in the near future,” Campbell said.

A total of 103 organisations were honoured in the awards on Friday, from a pool of 928.