The upcoming Brisbane Franchising & Business Opportunities Expo will include major food franchisor, Retail Food Group.
Here the business takes our Q&A:
What is your growth plan for the next two years?
Started in 1989 as the owner and manager of around 50 Donut King and bb’s Caf stores, RFG now has 11 franchise systems, boasting in excess of 2,400 outlets. Over the coming years RFG will be looking to expand its traditional franchise systems, Michel’s Patisserie, Brumby’s Bakery and Donut King by opening new EVO stores focused on enhanced customer experience and reinvigorated product offerings. RFG will also be growing its QSR Division through the expansion of Crust Gourmet Pizza and Pizza Capers in key regions.
Visitors to a franchising expo are faced with a myriad of opportunities to consider. There are service-based businesses, mobile opportunities, and of course retail. If investing in a food franchise is part of your plan, the biggest food franchisor in Australia is Retail Food Group.
What is the investment level for your franchise?
RFG has a wide range of franchise options to suit people from all walks of life, with a mobile coffee van starting at $49,000, to a full service bakery at $480,000. As Australia’s largest multi-food franchisor, RFG can also offer approved applicants various levels of financial support.
What have been the highlights of the past year in your business?
The past year has seen RFG transform into a global franchise and coffee manufacturing powerhouse, with the acquisition of Gloria Jean’s Coffees, Caf2U and Di Bella Coffee taking the business to new heights. With the expertise and experience the teams behind these great brands brings to RFG, the benefits of the acquisitions will flow through the entire RFG franchisee network.
What defines the relationship between franchisor and franchisees in your network?
RFG firmly believes in open and transparent communication between the franchisor and its franchisees. Each major brand system is its own franchisor and operates as a silo with dedicated resources working exclusively for the brand whilst still being able to access shared resources and tap into the collective knowledge, experience and expertise of the group.
The company’s proven business models and support systems have been perfected over 25 years of operation, and it has built an experienced and highly skilled support network to ensure the success of our franchise networks.
What will be the big challenges for the business for the next five years?
As the retail landscape grows more competitive and emphasis is put on the customer’s experience, franchises will need to rise to the occasion. We have already started taking on this challenge through the rollout of Project EVO which will see our traditional brand systems remain relevant to consumers, fortifying our franchisees investment for the future.
A discerning coffee consumer in Australia will also challenge retailers to step up their coffee offering, and RFG is in a unique position to capitalise on this through the shared knowledge and experience of its specialty coffee division, led by Phillip Di Bella, providing invaluable best practice learnings for our franchise brand systems.
- Other brands participating at the Brisbane Franchising & Business Opportunities Expo include Lenard’s, Endota Spa and Aussie Home Loans.