How I set my business up for franchising
David and Charles Cohen helped their parents take over Matchbox homewares in 1996 when it was suffering financial difficulties. Since then, the chain has seen solid growth with revenue of $14.8 million during 2008-09. David says much of the growth has been due to the success of a solid franchising...
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Franchising - A Global Business Opportunity
Franchisors, franchisees and consumers recognise the benefits franchise networks offer; as the world gets smaller, conditions tighten and the demand for consumer and business products and services through branded outlets accelerates. As a result, franchising is gathering momentum, triggered by the slowdown in many markets that have stopped traditional business...
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Franchising or Company Owned?
Franchising or Company Owned? All businesses face the issue of growth. Which growth strategy to choose is heavily dependent on the goals of the businesses and the owners. Franchising It has been estimated that by 2050, 60% of Australian businesses will be franchised. What makes this...
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Attracting Women to Your Franchise System
Women make up more than a quarter of franchisees. While this group continues to grow franchisors lack a strategy to attract women to their system. In the quest for franchisees, franchisors are often presented with the task of appealing to female operators to join their system. While...
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Australia’s Leading Franchisors Recognised
DC Strategy identifies Australia’s 145 Leading Franchisors and announces the completion of the 100th Independent Franchise Report. DC Strategy has recognised Australia’s 145 Leading Franchisors with the launch of the first annual franchisor quality mark (pictured right). As part of DC Strategy’s ongoing research, Leading Franchisors will be re-examined...
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Buying a franchise : where do I start?
There's an old saying in franchising: "Franchisors get the franchisees they deserve." The reverse is also true, as many franchisees continue to make uninformed decisions or waive the requirement for legal advice. The quality franchisors like Dymocks, Grill'd, Muffin Break, Enzed, Xpresso Delight, and Nandos all share the same important...
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Should Your Business Consider Franchising?
If you are serious about building a substantial business you should benchmark your progress against global industry peers not just your local competition. You will soon find that franchising offers the opportunity to build truly national and global businesses on a scale that your non-franchised competition just cannot match....
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3 ways to attract Generation X to your business
Generation X is the core pool of potential franchisees that franchisors need to focus on; they are cashed up, hungry for independence and keen to make money. Generation Y has dominated the franchise recruitment press of late, but Generation X presents a significant opportunity for franchisors. So how do...
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The 10 Key Features of Best Practice Franchisors
In many markets across the globe, both domestic and international franchises compete for market share. But what makes the market leader or that emerging franchise system so much better than their competitors. Rod Young, Executive Director of DC Strategy, highlights what sets them apart. In developing national and international...
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Eyes Wide Open
Is your prospective business purchase a franchise or a licence? John Di Natale explains why it matters and how you can scrutinise the offer What's the difference between a franchise and a licence? On first impressions it seems there is little to distinguish the two. But the legal and commercial...
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Deciphering the Changed Code
The changes to the Franchise Code of Conduct contained within the Trade Practices Act came into effect last March. Adrian McFedries reviews the implications of the changes for franchisors and franchisees. The majority of words written about the changes to the Franchise Code of Conduct have been from...
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Proposed Changes to the Franchising Code
The Franchising Code of Conduct regulates a sector now worth $128 billion to the Australian economy. The collapse of the Kleenmaid franchise and evidence of non-compliance have fuelled great debate within the sector, heralding calls for reform. The government is now under pressure to respond. In December last year...
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Franchising Trends in Retailing
The ARA Retailer asked Rod Young, Executive Director of leading franchise consultants DC Strategy to provide his perspective on franchising in the retail sector as the global economic cycle starts to impact consumers. He is upbeat about the opportunities. Retail franchising is going through a metamorphosis. Retailers riding on...
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Driving profitable growth through multi-unit franchising
A little noticed trend has emerged as franchise networks start to mature. Around the world, many franchisors are experiencing the growth of multi-unit operators within their franchise networks . This trend has been driven by aspirational franchisees, rather than by a definitive strategy developed by franchisors. There...
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Franchising Begins to Bite in India
Western style franchising is starting to have a major impact on the Indian business scene. Rod Young, Executive Director of DC Strategy and the Program Director of Franchise India 2009, explains why franchising in India is growing rapidly and Aussie firms are positioning themselves to grow. FORMER INDIAN...
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Buying a Franchise: how to choose the right franchise
The Franchising World asked Rod Young, one of the world’s leading franchise consultants for his advice on buying a franchise. His advice has guided many franchise networks in establishing successful franchise ventures across the globe Buying and operating a franchise is an exciting and adventurous process. For most people, buying...
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Bullet proof franchising
A blue print for franchising in increasingly uncertain times. As 2005 approaches it is well worth benchmarking your business plans and formulating your strategy for what may be needed to survive the next 5 years. DC Strategy’s Rod Young looks at ways to blue print your system in increasingly uncertain...
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What (good) franchisees want
With 850 business format franchise systems in Australia and high levels of employment, the “war for talent” is intensifying among franchisors for quality franchisees. Good, “proven” franchisees are now in a position to choose between franchise systems. Rod Young, Executive Director of DC Strategy, reveals what successful franchisees expect from...
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What franchisors want
The Australian franchising sector continues to go from strength to strength. Currently, the sector represents $128B in annual turnover (approximately 14% of GDP). For many, franchising is still a dirty word or associated with only with hamburgers and fries. However, the growth of majors networks such as Boost Juice, Gloria...
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Writing the wrongs of user and operations manuals
We may not be writing on stone tablets anymore, but the skill and value of the ‘scribe’ still plays an important role in delivering usable documentation. Anyone can write a user or operations manual – right? Not quite. In the past, it seemed that writing the documentation for a project...
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Managing your franchise, keys to success
John DiNatale, Senior Consultant at DC Strategy, explores what it takes to succeed. Running your franchise business effectively, efficiently and profitably takes more than capital investment and the initial desire to be your own boss. When it comes to the day-to-day management, your best allies are systems, processes...
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Franchise Conferences - The Learning and Networking Bonanza
One of the key features of the most successful franchise networks is the quality of their national, and now more often, international franchise conferences and conventions. These events are planned in meticulous detail, with a focused theme to drive home to delegates the key points that the franchise management want...
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The Ideal Franchise
Which franchise opportunity is best for you? Should you buy an existing location or start a new one? Rod Young of DC Strategy provides a path through the maze of questions...
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When it's time to say Goodbye
With so many franchise systems in Australia and over 65,000 franchisees, it stands to reason that a significant number of franchise businesses are for sale at any given time. Some estimates put the number as high as 20% or 13,000 franchises for sale over the...
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Positive Vibes
Not all franchise systems are created equal. What is it then, that elevates one network above its competitors and how can a potential franchisee select the right business opportunity based on the limited information available during the recruitment process? In the experience of DC Strategy the attributes that make a...
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2007 IFA Annual Convention
Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA Each year the International Franchise Association (IFA) holds a convention in the United States that attracts franchisors, franchisees, franchise executives, lawyers, consultants, national and international government agencies, service providers and movers and shakers in the global franchising galaxy. Attending international franchising conferences creates...
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The ideal franchise opportunity
Which franchise opportunity is best for you? Should you buy an existing location or start a new one? Rod Young of DC Strategy provides a path through the maze of questions. You've dreamed and planned and now the time has come to invest in a franchise opportunity. The most fundamental...
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Tasmania - the new frontier
As franchising evolves, Enterprise asked Rod Young, Executive Director of DC Strategy and a 30 year veteran of franchising around the world, to comment on its future in Tasmania. 1. How will trends In franchising Impact Tasmania? As the world economy continues to grow the commodities that are becoming more...
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The value of measuring cost to serve
Given the value it provides, it is surprising that many franchisors don’t measure and evaluate the comparative profitability of their franchisees on a cost to serve basis. Many believe the whole process is either too hard or not of high enough priority. However, it is entirely possible that some franchisees...
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Franchising – a high performance business model
Variously described as a marketing concept, a distribution model or a HR strategy, franchising by its very nature overcomes many of the hurdles that challenge traditional business structures. The franchise business model succeeds for three key reasons: Ownership – Franchising combines a committed, motivated owner-operator with a proven business. Interdependence...
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Out with the old, in with the new?
When buying into a franchise, should 'tried and trusted' units be given preferential treatment or does venturing into unchartered territory hold as much commercial promise? Adrian McFedries discusses the key criteria for deciding to buy new or buy used. The size of the primary (greenfield) and secondary (existing) markets...
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Multi-brand strategies - pitfalls and pluses
As franchising grows in Australia so does the number of franchisors that operate more than the one brand. Rod Young from DC Strategy discusses the multiple-brand strategy. They may be disparate brands, not related to each other except they occupy retail shopping centre space. For example, the Pets Paradise, Warner...
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Assessing the merits of whether to franchise
Franchising has been hailed as the way of the future for business but Rod Young, Executive Director of DC Strategy, says not all roads lead to franchising and businesses need to weigh up many issues in deciding whether to head down the franchising path. More businesses than ever before are...
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Should I franchise?
The success of any franchised business lies in the foundation of the parent company, and my advice to any would-be franchisee is to ensure that the parent company is well established, profitable and well capitalised, with a well-known trademark and reputation. Another key to successful franchising is to ensure the...
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Is franchisee enquiry dropping?
Some anecdotal evidence has suggested franchisee enquiries have declined within the Australian market over the past year. Closer inspection reveals a more educated and discerning franchise buyer, and a need to refine recruitment processes and strategies. The DCS view that the franchisor’s get the franchisees they deserve is all too...
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What is the future of regional distribution?
The landscape of regional towns has constantly been a debate over the influence and presence of big city corporate brands and the role of local independent business built on a foundation of relationships. Evidence would suggest these are increasingly convergent paths when it comes to the business landscape of...
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The corporate franchising strategy
Why are some of the most recognised and respected corporate groups in Australia implementing franchise strategies as part of their broader strategy? The franchise business model is evolving beyond a means of accessing capital to a human resource strategy, performance strategy, and sales growth strategy in large corporate groups. The...
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A question of choice
The range of franchise opportunities that are available to prospective franchisees looking to go into business has never been greater. With thousands of alternatives, how does your franchise system catch the attention and bear the scrutiny of a potential franchisee? Rod Young, Executive Director of DC Strategy, discusses what makes...
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The neglected component of franchising
The focus of franchising and the foundation of its success is the ability to bring a committed owner operator, with a capital commitment, into a business to drive customer service, revenues, and micro manage costs. Why has this become a successful business model? There is no single reason. The improved...
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When it's time to say goodbye ...
Franchising within Australia consists of 60,000 franchisees and 850 franchisors. It is estimated that about 15% to 20% of current franchisees (about 10,000 to 12,000 franchises) are on the market at any one time. Rod Young, Managing Director of DC Strategy provides an insight to what happens when franchisees wants...
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As good as it gets?
Every prospective franchisee wants to get onto the next best thing. But how do you evaluate what the best product or service is and which franchisor is the best in the product or service sector that you have determined is right for you. Rod Young, Executive Director of DC Strategy,...
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So you want to be a franchisor?
Should you franchise your business? A simple enough question with a not so simple answer. In the current economic environment in Australia, there has been a plethora of media exposure for both franchising as a topic and the businesses within the sector. This has given many business owners and senior...
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Your ultimate checklist - how to spot a red flag
We all know franchising is a low risk way of getting into business but not every franchisee is successful There have been some franchise chains that have failed to flourish. In a small number of cases the network as a whole has failed. So in considering which franchise is right...
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The future of franchised travel
The rate of change that is sweeping business will put pressure on both franchised and non-franchised travel networks. With more change ahead, how does a travel franchise system face new trends? Rod Young, Managing Director of DC Strategy, explores some trends and the problems they may bring, and asks, “Are...
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Shopping centre leasing – a new way forward
The debate over the conduct of shopping centre owners, leasing executives and tenants has occupied the industry for years. Occupancy costs as a percentage of sales have more than doubled and neither tenant nor landlord is satisfied with the current situation. In this article Rod Young, Executive Director of DC...
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