The Franchise Council of Australia (FCA) recently held its 2022 Excellence in Franchising Awards in a ceremony which saw a number of small business taking top honours.
The Australian Established Franchisor of the Year went to the global franchise pool service brand Poolwerx. RAMS Home Loans, Mister Minit, Quest Apartment Hotels, SILK Laser Australia and CouriersPlease were also recognised as finalists in the category.
Accepting the award on behalf of Poolwerx, CEO Nicholas Brill highlighted the important contributions of their entire team, saying that “tonight it’s all about our franchise partners, it’s all about suppliers, it’s about all of our people”. He also noted that winning was “extra special” this year, as it was the company’s 30th anniversary.
OMI Group was named the Australian Emerging Franchisor of the Year, with City Cave and Local Hero Singapore named as category finalists.
“We started from zero. After five years, we have eighteen outlets and three retail brands. We are honoured that two of our brands were shortlisted in this category tonight,” Ven Chin, OMI Group Founder, said.
The Franchise Woman of the Year Award was won by Emma Glazebrook of MBCM Strata Specialists. Glazebrook also recently won the Victorian Franchise Woman of the Year Award and thanked her family, her team, and her franchisor saying that “they help prop me up every day”.
The International Franchisor of the Year Award was won by InXpress. Meanwhile, Quest Apartment Hotels won both the Excellence in Marketing and Franchisor Social Responsibility Awards.
Gayle and Des Purdue of Muffin Break (Coolalinga & Gateway Palmerston) were named as the Multi-Unit Franchisee of the Year. The pair paid tribute to their team, saying that “they are an amazing group of people whose commitment is outstanding.”
RAMS Home Loans took out three awards, winning Excellence in Franchise Innovation. Franchisee Cheryl Haywood from RAMS (Southern Vales) took out the Single Unit Franchisee of the Year (two or more staff) award and franchisee Andrew Erlandson, RAMS (Toowoomba) won the Franchisee Community Responsibility and Contribution award.
Geotech Information Services was named this year’s Supplier of the Year, with Retail Doctor Group and GapMaps named as finalists. Crystal Allen of Muffin Break won Field Manager of the Year.
“The last two years have represented some of the most difficult economic conditions ever experienced by Australian business,” Franchise Council of Australia CEO, Mary Aldred, said. “The resilience, adaptability and determination that has been demonstrated by all finalists and winners is truly outstanding.
“We commend each and every hard-working franchisee and franchisor across Australia for their vital contributions to employment, the economy and communities across our country,” Aldred added.
The FCA has also announced its annual Hall of Fame inductee for 2022, with Foodco Group Executive Chairman, Serge Infanti, named as this year’s recipient of this prestigious award. Infanti joined Foodco in 1991 and became one of their early Franchise Partners, successfully operating two Jamaica Blue and two Muffin Break cafes.
