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GFC boosts business at Jim’s Group

Sarah Stowe

The Jim’s Group has more than 3070 franchisees in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the UK, and 28 divisions, the largest of which include mowing, cleaning, fencing, test and tag, computers and bookkeeping. Over the past year, the group has experienced about 10 per cent growth in both leads and franchisees and has seen the launch of a new division, Jim’s Bath Resurfacing.

“The financial slowdown seems to have helped us, with no slowdown in work but an increase in franchise inquiries,” says founder Jim Penman. “Better systems for monitoring and following up complaints has led to a 75 per cent reduction in complaints over the past five years,” he adds.

According to Penman, Western Australia is a key part of his group. “We have 269 franchisees in Western Australia,” he says. “Client response has been exceptional. Our main problem is signing franchisees fast enough to look after them, a particular difficulty when the mining industry is booming.”

Improving the systems for franchisee support is a priority for Jim’s Group this year, which is trying to ensure franchisors respond quickly and effectively to requests or concerns and provide ongoing mentoring and coaching.