Bernie McCahill donned his All-Black World Cup test jersey for the last time in Dublin for the 1991 semi-final against the Wallabies. Fast forward 20 years and the former New Zealand centre has purchased a 50 per cent stake in the 52 Jim’s Mowing franchises in Auckland.

McCahill entered the lawn mowing business about two years ago as a Jim’s group franchisee, in a bid to improve his cash flow. Before that he worked in his family’s drain-laying business for many years, prior to turning his hand to the property market.

After 20 months as a franchisee I decided I wanted to take it to the next level and become a franchisor. In hindsight this was the best way of going about it, as the franchisor’s main role is to support the franchisees, and because I’ve been there, I fully understand the highs and lows of what the franchisees are going through, he explained.

McCahill is looking to buy into other areas of New Zealand once the Auckland enterprise is established.