Keen potential business owners turned out in force over the weekend to attend the Melbourne Franchising & Business Opportunities Expo. Even bright sunshine, warm weather and Sunday’s Father’s Day didn’t deter enthusiastic investors looking for a career change.

Visitors flocked to the McDonald’s stand to find out more about investment in the global fast food chain and to hear franchisees share their experiences each day in the free seminar program.

Established brands like Auto One, Jim’s Group, Pack and Send, Snap Printing, The Cheesecake Shop and United Petroleum fielded lots of enquiries from interested visitors.

But newbie names in the franchise space – such as Extreme Pita, originating in Canada, the Brisbane-based 5 Dogs gourmet hot dogs operation, and BKs Takeaway – also attracted plenty of attention.

There was interest too in businesses such as Express Mobile Services, Aussie Outdoor, Five High Vending, The Property Club and Step into Life.

The expo was an opportunity for companies like the well established family business Battery Bar to showcase their new franchising offer.

A series of free seminars each day drew visitors keen to boost their knowledge about franchising. The daily attractions included a Franchise Council of Australia Franchisee Success Panel with franchisees from brands as varied as ANZ Mortgage Solutions, Appliance Tagging Services, First Class Accounts, Grill’d, Jim’s Mowing, Kumon, Nanotek, OPSM and The Cheesecake Shop.

Franchisees shared with the audience their success stories, challenges and achievements and offered some helpful advice for prospective franchisees.

• The next Franchising & Business Opportunities Expos will be in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne in 2014.