The South Australian franchise community honoured its top performers at the Aon SA FCA Excellence in Franchising Awards last week.
Winners at the event included Tim and Simone Swansson from Bakers Delight in Murray Bridge who took home the Franchisee of the Year, two or more staff award, Robert Tyndall from EFM Health Clubs in Mt Barker who was awarded Franchisee of the Year, less than two staff and Simon Underwood from Wendys Supa Sundaes who took out the Field Manager of the Year award.
The Multi-Unit franchisee of the Year award went to Gino Patini and Antonio Gagliardi who run the Gelatissimo outlets at both Norwood and Gouger St.
It was a big night for Bakers Delight who also won the Franchisee Community Responsibility and Contribution Award – Silvestro and Meredith Capurso, who run the bakery at St Agnes were recognised for their extensive work in their local community.
Field manager winner Simon Underwood said ‘Successful franchisees build a successful franchise brand’ and his role is to support and promote this.
Silvestro and Meredith Capurso, Bakers Delight get hands on help from their area manager who even worked through the night with the pair to prepare for a big volume charity day. But the couple said that along with hands on help, field managers offer emotional and marketing support.
Robert Tyndall, EFM Health Clubs, said the awards process was a great way for him to review the way he runs his business and it confirmed that local area marketing is the best method of securing new customers.”
“I had to actually sit back and look at my business, and the things I just do day to day without thinking, I thought about why I do them this wat,” said Tyndall.
Tim and Simone Swansson, agreed their head office support is first class and they have been offered plenty of help through a mentorship program.
“We were on tough times, so we sat down with Lesley Gillespie, founder, Bakers Delight, who found us a mentor, and arranged for us to spend a few days with them in Victoria, this was invaluable to us and our business”, the Swanssons said.
On the night state chapter president, Rose Vis also made a special presentation to Mark Langford, md of Gametraders and Rob McKay, CEO of Wendys Supa Sundaes, for their contribution to the franchising sector in South Australia.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA WINNERS
Multi-Unit Franchisee of the Year: Gino Patini and Antonio Gagliardi, Gelatissimo, Norwood and Gouger St Franchisee of the Year, two or more staff: Tim and Simone Swansson, Bakers Delight, Murray Bridge Marketplace
Franchisee of the Year, less than two staff: Robert Tyndall, EFM Health Clubs, Mt Barker
Field Manager of the Year: Simon Underwood, Wendys Supa Sundaes
Franchisee Community Responsibility and Contribution: Silvestro and Meredith Capurso, Bakers Delight, St Agnes
Contribution to South Australia Franchising: Mark Langford, Gametraders; Rob McKay, Wendys Supa Sundaes.
Following their success, all winners have all qualified as finalists for the MYOB FCA National Excellence in Franchising Awards. The gala dinner will be held at Allphones Arena in Sydney on Tuesday 28 October at the culmination of the National Franchise Convention.