Franchise Everything

Data is the silent powerhouse that fuels strategic decision-making.

In this discussion, we explore the science behind business decisions and how innovative data solutions drive smarter choices with Vanessa Wilmot, MD geotech

Vanessa shares how using innovative data solutions can transform the way businesses operate, helping leaders make smarter and more strategic choices.

From identifying high-potential franchise locations to understanding customer behaviour on a deeper level, she highlights how businesses can use real-time insights to stay ahead of the curve.

She also sheds light on how emerging data sets, such as Mastercard merchant transactions, can provide a competitive edge, helping franchises expand with confidence and precision.

0:00 Introduction

0:29 How important is data?

1:58 Turning data into strategy to stay ahead in business

3:05 Using data to optimise marketing and business growth

3:51 How innovative data and AI help franchisees make smarter decisions

5:10 Using Mastercard merchant data to understand retail activity

6:43 How to get access to Mastercard data

8:08 Using mobile data to understand consumer travel patterns and behaviour

10:29 Common problems in making sense of their data

12:47 Ensuring customer data privacy while staying compliant and protecting information

13:32 Key takeaways

Podcast Produced by: www.franchisebusinesshub.com.au

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Marco Zahrouni's journey from Iran to Australia is a story of resilience and determination. Facing immense challenges, he navigated a difficult migration path before finding stability and purpose in building his own business.

From working various jobs to eventually running a successful cleaning franchise, his experiences shed light on the realities of starting over in a new country.

In this broad discussion around the brand and business model, Hash Tayeh, CEO, and Tarun Sachdeva, Global Strategy Partner, explain key aspects of the brand in detail.

In this conversation, Marco reflects on the struggles of entrepreneurship, the lessons he learned along the way, and how he adapted to new opportunities. His insights offer a candid look at the challenges of running a business, balancing risk, and the mindset needed to push forward despite obstacles.

0:00 Intro

0:47 Marco Zahrouni, Houseproud Franchise Partner

1:35 Journey from Iran to Australia

4:55 A day-to-day life in the Australian Detention Center

7:27 Exploring different careers, working in a cafe to construction

8:34 Launching his first carpet cleaning business

10:25 Transition from Carpet Cleaning to Houseproud Franchise

12:25 Marco's daily routine and work structure

13:07 Key takeaways in building a sustainable franchise business

14:32 Wrap Up

Podcast Produced by:  www.franchisebusinesshub.com.au

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• Why Seal-A-Fridge removed royalty fees and how it benefits franchisees

0:00 Introduction

1:05 Seal-A-Fridge predictable franchise model with no royalties and low costs

3:42 Low entry costs and setting up a Seal-A-Fridge franchise

5:10 How Seal-A-Fridge setup their mobile workshops

8:27 Managing national accounts and expanding into new territories

9:49 Sourcing clients for franchisees through national accounts

12:53 A day in a life of a franchisee and managing work-life balance

15:32 Barriers to entry and competitive advantages in franchising

18:35 Wrap up

Burgertory is a fast growing fast casual burger business currently with 18 locations in Victoria and a location about to open in Sydney, as well as Master Licenses sold internationally.

In this broad discussion around the brand and business model, Hash Tayeh, CEO, and Tarun Sachdeva, Global Strategy Partner, explain key aspects of the brand in detail.

Hash didn’t actually believe in the franchising business model for some time, until he had proven the concept himself with his own corporate stars that he ran for some time.

With a site selection strategy described as ‘tactical site selection’ and placing on the outer edges of shopping centres to increase trading hours and potential, the brand has stores ranging in size from 60m to 200m.

The kitchen is not large, and is importantly not made up of a significant amount of equipment in comparison to other QSR type brands. This keeps space and equipment cost down, and is in line with her production principles of the business.

NSW is a key focus for the brand in 2025, along with international partnerships and master franchisee approaches for other states of Australia.

0:00 Intro

0:46 Describing the Burgertory concept

1:46 Site numbers atm in VIC and internationally happening as well

2:16 Hash didn’t believe in franchising for some time and ran his stores on a corporate basis but adjusted

3:07 Proving the concept before choosing to sell franchised stores

3:50 The customer experience in Burgertory, not just about the burgers

4:42 Engaging architects to help deliver an experience aesthetically in every store

5:37 Every location is a bit different

6:01 The branding and styling of the business that started as a single store in Kew in Melbourne in 2017

7:14 Entry costs in the business and their approach while still maintaining their design philosophy, and even interest free vendor finance for the right people on occasion

9:09 Not a big kitchen and a lot less equipment needed within the business’ commercial kitchen

10:01 The difference of Burgertory (fast casual) v McDonald’s, Hungry Jacks (fast food) and the reduced space needed for smaller production

10:58 Site selection strategy and their ‘tactical site selection’ approach, with stores from 60m all the way up to 200m in size

13:04 Having a store and head office attached to use it as a test store, training and product trial store

13:22 Benchmarking in the industry and the comparison 26-28% in both labour and cot of goods (COGS)

15:25 The future for the brand, key focus in NSW in early 2025 in addition to the international partnerships and master franchisees as brand ambassadors on a state by state basis in Australia

16:37 Boycotts globally are giving opportunities especially in the Middle East for the brand and Tash believes not being discussed enough

17:20 Wrap up

Podcast Produced by:  www.franchisebusinesshub.com.au

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Join us for an enlightening conversation with Brad Sugars, a globally recognised business coach and entrepreneur. 

From winning a Rotary Youth Leadership Award at 16 to founding  ActionCOACH, a business coaching franchise spanning 83 countries, Brad's journey is a testament to his entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to helping businesses thrive.

He's also an author, with 18 books on business, investing, and wealth creation, including four international bestsellers.

In this discussion, Brad shares valuable insights on sales, marketing, and building a scalable business.

0:00 Intro

0:50 Brad Sugars background and how he started in business

2:57 Why every business needs to be on YouTube and social media

3:59 Importance of social proof and customer reviews in a business

5:15 The fun element in a business and company culture

6:05 Brad Sugars Journey from Rotary to Business

6:55 How ActionCOACH started and evolved

9:16 Building a business as a sellable asset

12:05 The turning point from speaking to starting ActionCOACH

13:43 Expanding ActionCOACH from Australia to Global Markets

17:19 Jim Rohns influence on personal and business growth success

20:09 Brad sugars formula for success: dream, goal, learn, plan, act

24:00 Focuses on harmonizing work and personal life over balance

25:50 What's the difference between a millionaire and a billionaire

26:34 How Brad Sugars chooses business to invest in

27:20 Brad Sugars' daily habits and routines

29:35 Brad's three big projects over the next few years

31:33 The 4 key responsibilities of a CEO

32:45 The Role of AI and its impact on Business Growth

34:24 The importance of constant innovation in business

35:23 Wrap up

Podcast Produced by: ⁠The Franchise Business HUB⁠

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Nic Brill, Poolwerx, CEO shares his remarkable journey from leading junior swimmer in South Africa, to the top of a leading franchise business. 

Hear how his various background, from competitive swimming to FMCG, influences his leadership at Poolwerx. Discover the company's vision for international expansion, its commitment to franchisee success, and its unique approach to the pool and spa service market.

Before leading Poolwerx, Nic honed his skills in FMCG, working for industry giants like Nestlé. Nic learned the importance of discipline, perseverance, and pushing beyond his limits qualities that continue to shape his leadership style today.

He reveals how the company is revolutionising the pool industry. From its innovative franchise model to its dedication to providing exceptional customer experiences, Poolwerx is focused on setting a new standard for excellence. 

Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a franchise enthusiast, or simply curious about the journey of a dynamic CEO, this episode offers a wealth of insights and inspiration.

0:00 Intro

2:20 Moved to London in 2005 and worked in FMCG

2:53 Nic's background in sales and marketing in South Africa

3:38 The challenge of selling paper as a commodity

7:20 Nic's challenges finding a job when moving to London

9:27 The swimming background and achievements

13:54 Nestle as a massive global business

15:45 Responsibilities in brand management and innovation in Nestle

22:33 Moving from Melbourne to Gold Coast for a better lifestyle

24:46 Transition into franchising at Crust Gourmet Pizza and first exposure to the franchise business model

31:57 Franchising challenges across different countries

Podcast Produced by: The Franchise Business HUB

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Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/3zbz3e4s

After 7 years as an instructor, Carla Sconce decided it was time to create the studio and exercise regimen and environment she’d always wanted, and knew clients did as well.

4 studios later, a nationally recognised training program (soon to be globally recognised), and about to open the first franchise, Carla and HIIT Pilates unique approach is well underway!

In our chat, Carla describes in detail, the unique environment and approach to reformer pilates she has created. A high energy, deliberately low, yet full class numbers, with an abundance of space to move are key features of the business.

With a studio fit out that requires much less equipment than many other options in the fitness and wellness space, depending on the specifics of the space, a studio can literally be created within a couple of weeks and be ready to trade.

Studio sizes, location strategy, and the impact of having the brands own nationally recognised training program are other key topics we talk on in this podcast.

0:00 Intro

0:22 Describing the different environment to normal pilates

0:42 What is HIIT Pilates

1:54 What’s different about what HIIT does in reformer pilates

3:17 The concept of ‘challenging with community’

4:47 Making certain of an inclusive space and luxury feel in the studio

5:44 Reduced equipment than a ‘normal’ gym for example and entry costs and business model in relation to other business types

7:09 Longevity of the reformer equipment and how that is important to a potential business owner

8:24 What is involved with getting into a HIIT Pilates business 

9:40 Location and size of an ideal studio up to 250m or so with 200m the perfect size

11:06 Location strategy 

12:25 Who is the trainer in the business and how are they trained

13:32 A Nationally Accredited Training Program now but that was not the plan at the start but covid lock down gave time 

14:57 Staffing for franchise owners and having trained instructors for them through the HIIT Pilates Academy

16:54 Carla was an instructor for 7 years at varying studios giving a great insight into good and bad 

18:26 First franchise being fitted out and that will be the 4th location and thoughts on franchising 

20:06 Ideal franchise owner

21:26 Wrap-up

Podcast Produced by:  www.franchisebusinesshub.com.au

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Every franchise brand is looking to grow, however, how do you manage growth and adding locations when it can impact on existing franchise owners?

Vanessa Wilmot, MD of geotech, is an expert in managing this exact dilemma!

If not managed well the potential for negative impact can be significant across a franchise brand.

In this discussion the key aspects to cannibalistion covered are;

• What cannibalisation is

We wrap the conversation with some key advice from Vanessa on managing the potential of cannibalisation in your brand and how to approach the problem.

0:00 Intro

0:21 What geotech does in franchising

0:39 What is cannibalisation in franchising?

1:58 The 'tight rope' of making sure brands are serving the market yet also having a tolerance for competing against each other

2:48 Brands do consider how much in sales one site could take from another

3:28 How do brands assess cannibalisation impact

5:09 What sort of things impact cannibalisation for impulse and destination brands

6:59 Insights on cannibalisation for destination brands such as big box retail and 'defensive' strategies, even re-locating

9:04 Minimising cannibalisation strategies using data in particular

10:49 How data can help explain decisions to franchise owners on other store openings near them

12:27 Good data around new locations helps maintain good franchise relationships

13:26 Key message and advice in managing the prospect of cannibalisation

14:58 Wrap up

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A family-owned, global franchise business originating in Canada, Blair Emde, CEO, outlines the 5 key things that have taken the Rubber Stone business from a small farm to international expansion.

Rubber Stone is a business that provides services in surface covering and restoration using rubber granules with adhesives manufactured to the highest standards.

It’s R & D focus has seen it’s adhesive use grow from a single product when the business began, to now 15 distinct types in order to adapt appropriately to all conditions and environments.

The 5 key things that have made the Rubber Stone franchise business what it is today are;

• The commitment to quality material

0:00 Intro

0:55 First key, the commitment to quality material and what Rubber Stone does

3:06 Adapting from to Australia from different climates the products have been used and that learning process

04:12 Second key, extensive research and development into the product and application

09:17 Third key, the training and on-site training process which is very much focused on installation

11:37 Fourth key, selective approach to the people who are right for the franchise

13:31 Fifth key, the family-owned, small town values of the business and it being such a key to the culture of the business

15:56 Wrap-up

Podcast Produced by: www.franchisebusinesshub.com.au

Franchise Stories and Knowledge Base (our other website): www.franchisebuyer.com.au

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At one stage, Dan Hotchkis was running his transport business, his two gyms, and a charity at the same time. Something had to give after also getting the opportunity to be the Stepz Fitness Master Franchise Owner for the ACT.

Selling his transport business after 26 years, as well one of his gyms, so he can focus all his efforts on growing his region, Dan’s story is one of hard work and pure commitment.

Pretty much straight from school, Dan got involved in the transport industry, and built his short-haul truck business to 5 trucks over 26 years in operation. Truck driving had a negative impact on his health and he found himself needing to take action.

Fitness and health has changed his life in many ways. He met his wife, who was his personal trainer, he lost 50kg+ in his personal journey and became an endurance mountain bike athlete and more.

He grew his own personal trainer business during his initial fitness journey, then he outgrew the space and leased his own warehouse and ran his own gym for 5 years before he decided he needed to make a decision again.

His life changing through fitness ignited a passion in him to go on a journey to help other people discover the same benefits he has through fitness and health.

0:00 Intro

0:34 Background and career out of school starting in transport

1:25 Trucks short hauling of timber and product and how he got into it and owning the transport business as a young guy

3:24 Starting with one truck and how he found clients to grow the business

4:51 Learning about funding a business through adding on new trucks in the transport business

5:31 Built the transport business to 5 trucks

6:15 The moment where Dan had to make a decision about taking the transport business next level or look at something else

6:49 The prompt to decide to get himself fit and how he started

8:02 After losing 20kg and then putting it back on, a new approach needed in a personal trainer

9:27 Connecting with a trainer and making that work to achieve his goals - 50kg to lose

11:10 After hitting goal weight Dan was able to maintain with good routine and back into the truck

12:01 Hit a point in transport business 12-13 years in and had to decide to grow huge or go into his passion for fitness

13:18 Started being a personal trainer at his gym which evolved into PT sessions and how he approached it as a business

14:34 Grew his PT business then got to a point that something else needed to change to grow that business and leased a warehouse of his own

15:49 Dan’s thoughts about entering into his first lease for a gym as he grew as a PT

16:33 Did Dan have a business plan? No and he ‘winged it’ for 5 years

17:05 Dan met his future wife who was his personal trainer

17:53 Wanting to help more people and grow a bigger business and started searching for a gym franchise business

18:45 Looked at all the gyms and what his rationale was

20:28 Having a great connection straight away with the franchisor, Sam Waller

21:42 Opening his first franchise in Dapto, find the location and fit out

22:51 3 months after opening how he coped with covid lockdowns

23:55 The building flooded after a water system failed and took 4 months to fix

25:12 Adding a second location pretty quickly

26:04 Still running the truck business and two gyms at the same time

26:28 Selling one gym and taking on the ACT Master Franchise territory and having too many commitments

28:51 Sold the truck business in 2024 after 26 years and growth target for Canberra

30:15 Wrap up

Podcast Produced by: www.franchisebusinesshub.com.au

Franchise Stories and Knowledge Base (our other website): www.franchisebuyer.com.au

Listen or Watch on;

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YouTube:  https://youtu.be/K0kDN5-NJZI