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Aussie companies make top 500 US franchise list

Sarah Stowe

Aussie brands have made the cut in a list of top franchises in the US.

Gloria Jean’s Coffee ranked 274 and Poolwerx took the 183 spot on the Entrepreneur magazine Franchise 500 US list 2018 list.

For Gloria Jean’s Mike Gilbert, Retail Food Group chief executive – International, told Inside Franchise Business “We are extremely proud and honoured to be featured in The Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 for 2018. It is a well-deserved testament to both our passionate franchise partners and hard-working corporate team members in the United States .

“In the midst of America’s robust and flourishing coffee marketplace, Gloria Jean’s Coffees is separating itself from the competition and seeing incredible growth. With eight new openings in 2017, and seven new locations already in the pipeline for this year, coupled with the success and growth of the coffee industry as a whole, the brand is primed for further expansion in the years ahead.

He said their success is largely due to the food company’s emphasis on providing consistent and franchise partner support.

“We take a personal interest in each of our franchise partners, letting them know we are with them throughout their entire journey as a Gloria Jean’s franchise partner. We provide world-class support — from real estate and site selection, to assistance throughout the construction and build of their stores — and we provide them with the ongoing support of a savvy operations team who work with them on a day-to-day basis to ensure their success,” Gilbert added.

“Additionally, our global focus on product innovation and customer service allows the brand to stay relevant in a constantly evolving and competitive landscape. Our franchise partners pride themselves on ensuring they always treat their guests with exceptional service; they greet them by name, have their drink ready when they arrive in store, and they always go out of their way to make them feel important.”

Meanwhile, Poolwerx took the 183 spot, just three years after the pool and spa care franchise entered the US market. CEO John O’Brien said in a statement since entering the US market in 2015, the franchise has established 29 stores and 131 service/repair vehicles in seven states.

“Our ranking among the best franchises in the US and Canada follows a period of rapid expansion in the US,” O’Brien said. “We’re on track to reach our goal of opening 300 locations by 2021.”

He said the decision to enter the overseas market was made following extensive research and planning, with the US identified as a market with strong potential due to its sheer size and fragmentation within the pool industry.

“The US is very similar to the Australian market when we established Poolwerx over 25 years ago,” O’Brien said. “Like the Australian market then, the US market is extremely fragmented with lots of independents and small players. We have brought our unique franchise model to the US and have capitalised on the current fragmentation within the industry, offering new franchise partners a solid alternative in our four-tiered business model covering retail, service, commercial and online applications.”

Last year Poolwerx purchased Dolphin Pool Supply, one of the largest independent pool retailers in north Texas, with a 50-year-old retail, service and renovation history in the pool industry.

Poolwerx’ successful expansion abroad was cemented last year when the company completed a new 10,000-square-foot facility in Dallas that serves as its US headquarter.