Alex Camplin worked for both McDonalds and Retail Zoo for a total of 16 years before she delved into the world of franchising – at which point she chose Boost Juice in Southbank, Victoria.

“For 16 years I didn’t have the desire to purchase my own franchise. When my Boost store came on the market nine months ago, I can only call it my gut instinct that told me that I wanted this as my business,” Alex says.

From one Retail Zoo brand to another…

As national operations manager for Boost’s sister company Salsa’s Fresh Mex Grill, Alex was already quite familiar with the brand before she invested.

“I was continuously exposed to the Boost brand. I love what the company stands for. It’s a vibrant, passionate and professional business that promotes the ‘love life’ philosophy and a healthy way of being,” she says.

Alex is also a fan of the fact that Boost fosters a sense of community amongst its franchisees and staff. “I love how at Boost it’s all about the people that work for and represent the brand. That Generation Y advertisement with Janine Allis (Boost Youth Army) was a stroke of brilliance.

“What people outside the brand don’t realise is that it wasn’t just an advertisement, it truly is how we feel about our team.”

Why Boost?

Aside from her gut instinct, Alex says her position as an already existing Retail Zoo employee influenced her decision to invest in a Boost franchise.

“I know the brand’s past and present and I have faith in its future because the foundations of the company and the people that work there are so strong.

“Scott Meneilly [former COO, now CEO] is an outstanding leader and the franchisees in the system are so passionate about the brand,” she says.

Due dilligence is the key

Before she invested, Alex met with various franchisees who owned both Boost and Salsa’s outlets. “I spoke to a number of partners about the Boost side of the business and they were nothing but encouraging and very positive about the brand,” she explains.

Alex advises potential franchisees take the time to research the brand and ask as many questions as they can. “Ask twenty questions and for each one of those questions ask another five.

“Research your brand and the business you are buying,” she adds.

Potential franchisees: take note 

Alex says potential franchisees should consider a number of things before they choose to purchase a food franchise. “For those that have not worked in the retail hospitality industry, be 100 percent certain this is what you want. It is not easy being a small business owner.

“Be realistic about the business numbers and what is achievable. If you don’t like working in a team don’t buy a franchise. If you don’t love customers and enjoy interacting with them, don’t buy a franchise.

“If you do love working in a team and dealing with customers, the business is viable and your prepared to work hard then go for it,” she says.

The positives

Alex has reaped a number of benefits from her Boost franchise, both from a business and personal perspective.

“[I have achieved] sales growth, profitability and staff retention, but the most thing important to me is a healthy work life balance.”

She is quick to note this would not have been possible without her staff. “I have an amazing bunch of young adults that work for me and each one is unique and brings something different to my business,” she says.

Would she invest in the brand again? “In a heartbeat but it would have to be at a great location and one that is close to my other business.”