The Franchise Council of Australia honoured franchising’s best at its Excellence in Franchising Awards gala dinner at the RACV Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast.
The big winner on the night was Boost Juice Bars, which was named Australian Established Franchisor of the Year.
“Winning an award like this means a lot. Being recognised by your peers is fantastic and it’s also good to know that we’re heading in the right direction,” said Boost Juice Bars CEO Scott Meneilly.
Boost Juice founder Janine Allis, who has grown the business from her kitchen bench to a franchise of more than 400 stores across 13 countries, was recognised for her outstanding contribution to franchising as she was inducted into the Franchise Hall of Fame.
Boost Juice’s international arm was also successful on the night, taking out the award for Excellence in International Franchising for its international expansion strategy.
Optometry business Laubman & Pank was named the Australian Emerging Franchise of the Year. First established in 1908, Laubman & Pank opened its first franchise store in 2012. Ian Taunton, national sales director for Laubman & Pank, said franchising had been a positive step for the business.
“We’ve seen a real passion and energy being reborn in our network from our franchisees. This award is a great signal for us about the strength of the franchise group,” Taunton said.
Fastway Couriers Australia was awarded the International Franchisor of the Year. Richard Thame, CEO, said the award recognised what the company’s 800-plus courier franchisees across Australia do every day – day in and out.
“These guys are getting up tremendously early and working hard running their own business, servicing tens-of-thousands of customers. This award really goes to the courier franchisees out there that make up the brand and do the hard work every day,” Thame said.
Optometry and retail franchise, OPSM also took out two awards on the night, Excellence in Marketing and Franchisor Social Responsibility.
A total of 14 Excellence in Franchising Awards were presented on the evening. Successful individuals and businesses were recognised across a range of functions including franchisees, support staff and franchise systems.
MYOB FCA Excellence in Franchising Awards 2015 Winners
Australian Established Franchisor of the Year – Boost Juice Bars
Australian Emerging Franchisor of the Year – Laubman & Pank
International Franchisor of the Year – Fastway Couriers Australia
Multi-Unit Franchisee of the Year – Irene and Ian Hughes, Poolwerx (WA)
Single Unit Franchisee of the Year, two or more staff – Britt and Ben Diggins, Bakers Delight, Sturt Mall, Wagga Wagga (NSW)
Single Unit Franchisee of the Year, less than two staff – Brent Giblin, Mister Minit, Shellharbour (NSW)
Franchise Woman of the Year – Marlies Hobbs, Paleo Caf_
Field Manager of the Year – Laxman Bhardwaj, Chocolateria San Churro (VIC)
Supplier of the Year – Whirlwind Print
Excellence in Marketing – OPSM
Excellence in International Franchising – Boost Juice International
Franchise Innovation – Specsavers
Franchisor Social Responsibility – OPSM
Franchisee Community Responsibility and Contribution – Alexandra Lincoln, John Bleakley and Kim Taylor, PRDnationwide Real Estate, Toowoomba City (QLD)
Franchise Hall of Fame Inductee 2015 – Janine Allis, Boost Juice Bars