Interest rates are down and business confidence is up – there can be no better time to explore the wide range of franchising and other business opportunities available. And there’s no better place for Queenslanders to do it than the Brisbane Franchising & Business Opportunities Expo, on from July 18-19.
Exhibition manager Fiona Stacey says “The Federal budget in May offered many benefits to small businesses, and the Treasurer is encouraging Australians to ‘have a go’.Attending the expo in Brisbane is a great way to investigate franchising options and learn more about this exciting and dynamic sector.”
Franchising is a successful and fast growing part of Australia’s small business landscape, directly employing more than 460,000 people across an estimated 79,000 business format franchise units in 2014.
Kym De Britt, general manager of the Franchise Council of Australia, says “The importance of undertaking thorough research cannot be emphasised enough to any prospective franchisee. The Franchising & Business Opportunities Expo provides a great opportunity for would-be franchisees to talk face to face with franchise systems, ask questions and discover which system might be the best fit for them.”
Stacey says the Brisbane show will feature a high number of franchises in the food and beverage industry, with exhibitors such as Lenard’s, Movenpick, New York Slice Pizzeria, La Porchetta and new player Woodfired Pizza. In addition the team from Retail Food Group will be on hand to discuss their brands and provide information.
De Britt highlights food, and particularly fast food, as a strong part of the franchise industry, with food retailing comprising about 18 percent of franchise systems in Australia.
“Almost everyone at one time or another has visited a franchised caf_ or quick service restaurant, so the brands are easy to relate to,” he says. “This familiarity provides prospective franchisees with peace of mind in the stability and security of the franchise brand.”
One of the highlights of the expo will be its free seminar programme, with sessions running throughout the two days of the show. The strong lineup of experienced and knowledgeable franchisors, franchisees and service providers includes keynote speakers Sara Pantaleo, CEO of La Porchetta, and Lenard Poulter, founder and CEO of Lenard’s.
In addition the seminars will include the FCA Franchise Success panel series, where successful franchisees and franchisors from different systems will discuss their journeys and reasons behind selecting their chosen businesses. And the Soapbox Theatre makes its Brisbane debut, giving exhibitors a platform to explain and promote their businesses.
While the free seminars, panel discussions and Soapbox Theatre are all strong drawcards, Stacey says visitors will gain most from meeting representatives from a wide range of businesses, so they can compare the opportunities on offer.
“Some visitors come with specific businesses in mind, while others are open to new ideas, in industries they had never previously considered,” she says. “That’s the magic of the Expo, you never know quite what you’ll find!”
Brisbane Franchising & Business Opportunities Expo
Saturday 18 – Sunday 19 July 10am-5pm
Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre.
Pre-register at franchisingexpo.com.au for a discounted entry fee to this show and the Melbourne show, 21-23 August at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre.