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City of opportunity

Sarah Stowe

As the Franchising and Business Opportunities Expo heads to the grand old city, Melbourne will once again showcase what franchising can offer.

The Australian franchising sector has about 1100 systems, many of them established and household names, some building a reputation nationally and still others just starting out on the franchising journey.

Franchising in Australia embraces all business sectors, ranging from professional services to domestic services, from food to finance, from sport and fitness to leisure pastimes, from well-known retailers to white-label brands, from outdoor opportunities to online business, from automotive services to educational support.

Whatever your passion, there will be a franchise opportunity that taps into it; whatever your chosen method of business, there will be a system delivering the service; whatever your price point there will be a franchise to match.

The process of choosing which franchise to invest in can be a long one, though there are examples of franchisees committed to one brand early on and installed in their own business within weeks. For most people, however, treading the path to franchising is a journey that takes time – time to review the options, time to research the right company, time to seek advice, check out existing franchisees, and conduct due diligence.

Whether you’re just starting out on the trail to find out more about franchising, or you are already a committed prospect doing the final rounds, the Franchising and Business Opportunities Expo will give you the chance to compare franchise systems, discover the latest businesses, receive free legal advice, hear from experts across the sector on key issues affecting a franchise business, and mingle with franchisees who have already trodden the path, faced challenges, and with the support of their franchisor, built a viable business.

Plan ahead

First time visitors are advised to make a plan of action before hitting the aisles; understanding what you want to have achieved at the end of the day will provide a focus and ensure you don’t miss a key seminar or must-see franchisor.

Review the exhibitor list and mark down those systems you are most interested in, check the seminar program to highlight the talks that are most relevant; the next step is to co-ordinate the two.

Attending the show with a list of queries and points to discuss with the franchisors will allow you to stay on track and it means you won’t walk away wishing you had asked a key question.

Of course the franchisors will want to find out more about the visitors who spend time on their stand too. Matching the right franchisee and franchisor takes time and it starts with a conversation, so visitors serious about investing in franchising will be prepared to share with franchisors their expectations and goals.

Who will be there?

A cross section of the franchise sector will be showcasing their business opportunities from well-known brands to those less recognised. Some of the exhibitors participating answered our questions. Click on the links below to learn more about some of the franchises exhibiting at Melbourne’s show.

Healthy Habits

Inkspot

YogaBugs

United

Kleenit

RP Vending

Other exhibitors include:

Amazing Clean; Anytime Australia; Australian Communications Network; Business Development Company; business.gov.au; Cappucino Xpress; Central Equity; Changing Places Real Estate Consultants; CleanTastic; Dubli Shopping World; Essential Beauty; Feast and Famine; Franchise Council of Australia; Global Concrete Solutions; Glued; IGA; Jumping J-Jays; Mercedes-Benz Vans; Muzz Buzz; MW Law; NAB Franchise Banking; Outback Jack’s Bar & Grill; Signwave; Slabworks; SMS Send; Snap-on; Steelbuilt Australia; Superfinish Express; Tads Manna; The Franchise Shop; The Real Learning Experience; Umbrella Investments.

Click here for more information on the expo.