Gary Blyton and Rob Watkin are sharing the role of master franchisee for NSW and ACT at casual restaurant franchise, Outback Jacks.

Both have experience in the franchising industry, with Watkin previously franchisor of property photography business Top Snap, with close to 50 franchisees working in the system. Blyton has owned a franchised consltancy firm and was also a franchisor in the QSR industry.

The pair have now set their sights on growing Outback Jacks to 30 sites across NSW and the ACT. Today there are eight Outback Jacks restaurants in NSW with a ninth about the start construction at Sydney’s Fox Studios, as well as a numberof opportunities coming up in areas including Sydney’s  west, the Central Coast, Canberra and Albury Wondonga.

“The relaxed Aussie Outback-themed steakhouse concept is a great dining option for a wide demographic,” Blyton told Franchising. “I had already met and knew Graeme Diamond [franchisor] from my previous businesses in the Australian food and franchising sectors and had watched the concept grow from the time Coolangatta opened, when my wife and I would drop in for a meal.”

The family-friendly nature of the steakhouse franchise is what attracted Blyton to the system and is what he believes sets the business apart.

“The family friendly aspect really appealed to me, having two kids and knowing how good it is to go somewhere and relax over a good meal and a beer whilst the kids are happy off playing in the kids room,” he said.

“I recognised the lack of real family-orientated casual dining options in the market. Many concepts either cater well for the kids or they may have a great offering for Mum and Dad but Outback Jacks has the whole family covered including a full bar for the parents and a kids room for the  kids.”