Bakers Delight is expecting an influx of franchise enquiries in the new year, believing that the effects of the global financial crisis will encourage people to start their own business.

The bakery franchise plans to recruit 150 franchisees across new and existing sites in all states and territories as well as in New Zealand and Canada, where the company trades under the name COBS Bread.

“Owning your own business is the new Australian dream for a large number of Australians who want to take control of their own destiny and pursue self employment,” said Roger Gillespie, co-founder and CEO of Bakers Delight. “The holiday season is typically a time when people reassess their options and the economic crisis has made evaluating the future more top of mind than ever.”

Bakers Delight was recently ranked as the sixth top performing franchise in the industry and the largest, during an independent survey conducted by 10 Thousand Feet.

Ian Krawitz, head of intelligence at 10 Thousand Feet and topfranchise.com.au said “In the Top Franchise overall satisfaction ratings Bakers Delight is the largest franchise system … to make the top ten. Furthermore, Bakers Delight has achieved outstanding results in the support of their franchisees, which has been a significant reason for them being able to keep such a large group of business owners satisfied.”