Cafe chains Muffin Break and Jamaica Blue are the latest to list as high-performing brands through the Australian Franchise Rating Scale.

Ratings are allocated after an independent and fact-based assessment across seven key categories designed to measure both transparency and performance.

In achieving this strong (4 star) rating, both brands have been able to demonstrate a high level of transparency and a high level of franchise performance.

Serge Infanti heads up Foodco, the group that operates the two cafe favourites. On joining the top rank of Australian franchise brands he said “It is important for me to ensure that we benchmark our business against best practice, and work to ensure our partners have the best opportunity for success.

“FRANdata carried out an extensive review of our franchise system  and I’m delighted with the outcome. That’s said we still have opportunities to be better and are committed to doing so.”

Independent ratings

Darryn McAuliffe, CEO of FRANdata, highlighted that Foodco is one of the first large franchise hospitality groups to understand the importance of having external independent assessment of its systems and processes.

“The review team was particularly impressed with the positive financial impact a number of Foodco initiatives were delivering  to franchisees,” he said.

“Franchisees of both Foodco brands also enjoyed a superior level of support around business performance and compliance programs.”

Rated as high performers

Already in the line-up of high-performing franchise brands are heritage bakery chain Ferguson Plarre and parcel and freight reseller Pack & Send; service businesses pool maintenance and retail chain Poolwerx, home services franchise Gutter-Vac, fire protection business FCF Fire & Electrical; three Lotts brands; bookkeeping chain First Class Accounts, and inaugural 5-star recipient, accommodation chain Quest Apartment Hotels.

Expect to see further ratings released as participating brands undergo the independent review process.