Franchise Everything

William Cocks didn’t just move countries — he rebuilt his entire career.

After running a plumbing business in South Africa, William moved to Australia, requalified from scratch, and rebuilt his future inside the Plumbing Bros franchise system.

Today, he owns the Central Coast and Newcastle territories and is scaling a serious maintenance-focused plumbing business across real estate, government, prisons, and commercial contracts.

This conversation breaks down what it really takes to grow a trade business beyond “one-man band” mode: building systems, winning contracts, hiring the right people, and playing the long game with relationships, referrals, and consistency. 

William shares the real lessons from moving countries, rebuilding credentials, choosing franchising over going solo, and why business skills often matter more than trade skills.

0:00 Introduction

0:24 What does Plumbing Bros do

2:47 From South Africa to Australia: Why William chose Plumbing 

6:04 Getting licensed in Australia (Journeyman → Licensed Plumber)

8:00 Why Plumbing Bros stood out: systems, support & quoting help

10:32 The “Collegiate” advantage of franchising

12:54 Biggest challenge: hiring, staff, and people management

14:10 How William wins work: cold calling, drop-ins, magnets & networking

16:37 Why magnets & flyers work (essential service + top-of-mind)

21:18 Adding Newcastle territory: why it made sense

22:32 Future growth plans and next expansion steps

25:18 Wrap up

Franchise Recruitment Marketing - Appear on our Podcasts HERE

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Franchise brands around the world are going through a major period of change, and global perspectives are becoming more important than ever for Australian franchisors.

Glenn sits down with Marcel Lal, Global COO of InXpress, to explore what franchise brands in Australia can learn from what’s happening in overseas markets, including the US, Europe, and Asia.

Drawing on his experience working across multiple regions, Marcel shares how leading franchise networks are modernising their operations, upgrading their support structures, and using technology more intelligently including AI to improve performance and scalability.

The conversation covers business modernisation, support office efficiency, people, processes, and platforms, as well as how franchise recruitment, investor behaviour, and the rise of multi-unit, multi-brand operators are shaping the future of franchising.

0:00 - Introduction

0:47 - Why global insights matter for Australian franchise brands

2:27 -  Why AI creates urgency and the risk of being left behind

4:04 - How global brands are upgrading support structures

5:15 - How franchise expansion differs globally

8:08 - Who Is Buying Franchises Today? Age, Investor Profiles & Market Differences 

10:37 – Why franchisors must not outgrow their support systems

11:57 – Using compliance to build a stronger franchise system

13:09  - Key takeaways for Australian franchise brands

15:31 - Final wrap-up & closing thoughts

Franchise Recruitment Marketing - Appear on our Podcasts HERE

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Growing a franchise brand in New Zealand isn’t just about marketing harder, it’s about positioning, trust, and long-term systems.

In this episode of Franchise Everything, Glenn sits down with Jason Hill, General Manager of Green Acres and Hire A Hubby NZ, to break down how one of New Zealand’s largest home services franchise groups has grown to 370+ franchisees across lawn & garden, cleaning, and home services. 

Jason explains what makes the NZ market uniquely competitive, why brand longevity and scale matter more than ever, and how Green Acres uses partnerships, technology, and sustainability to stay ahead in a crowded category.

0:00 Introduction

0:32 Overview of Green Acres & Hire A Hubby NZ

1:25 How the Green Acres franchise system is structured

3:49 How Green Acres attracts new franchise partners

5:48 Turning customers into franchise buyers & resale opportunities

6:56 Resales vs new franchise sales

7:50 North Island vs South Island: population & growth dynamics

10:02 Migrant franchise owners & the role they play in the network

12:00 Growth strategy for the next 12–18 months

Franchise Recruitment Marketing - Appear on our Podcasts HERE

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William Beare is the founder of Beare Flooring, a mobile flooring franchise that has grown from its first franchisee to 18 active locations in just 20 months. 

Built around a low-overhead model with no traditional showrooms, Beare Flooring focuses on removing non-income-producing tasks while giving franchisees the systems, logistics, and support to sell more and operate efficiently.

In this episode, William shares why installers are increasingly becoming strong franchise owners, how significant investment in custom software has enabled rapid and scalable growth, and what’s ahead as Beare Flooring expands further across New South Wales and beyond.

0:00 Introduction

0:48 From first franchisee to 18 locations in 20 months

1:10 What Beare Flooring is and why the mobile showroom model works

2:27 Fixing the sales vs installer disconnect in flooring

3:57 Why installers are choosing Beare Flooring and what’s attracting them to the model

4:51 How Beare Flooring’s franchise training and recruitment approach has evolved

8:22 Investing heavily in custom software to scale the business

9:13 The role of a flagship showroom and how it fits the national strategy

10:18 How Beare Flooring is approaching expansion into Sydney

11:48 Why Beare Flooring’s mobile franchise model eliminates leases and lowers risk

13:26 What prospective franchisees are really looking for and their biggest frustrations

14:25 How Beare Flooring helps franchisees find customers and stay busy

16:32 How Beare Flooring’s customer profile has evolved as the brand has grown

17:40 The next 12 months for Behr Flooring and where the focus is heading

20:00 Wrap up

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The hospitality industry is moving into a new era and in this episode of Franchise Everything Podcast, Hog’s Breath CEO Tom Elliott breaks down the five biggest tech trends every restaurant, café, and franchise owner needs to prepare for. From robotics in the kitchen to unified data ecosystems, energy sustainability, predictive maintenance, and AI-powered customer experiences, 

Tom reveals what he’s seen on his overseas research tours and how these innovations are already reshaping operations globally.

Tom also explains how franchise networks can adopt new technology without overwhelming operators, how data will drive smarter decisions, and why brands that embrace tech now will reduce costs, protect margins, and future-proof their restaurants.

0:00 Introduction

0:43 Insight #1: Smart kitchens and robotics transforming back-of-house

2:51 What Tom observed during his US research tour

3:16 Insight #2: Building a unified data ecosystem for franchise operations

4:22 Balancing change speed with franchisee adoption and tech relevance

4:56 Insight #3: The shift toward energy sustainability in hospitality

6:43 Insight #4: Predictive maintenance and preventing equipment downtime

8:55 Insight #5: AI-driven customer experience and automation

10:30 Applying global tech insights to the Hog’s Breath dining model

11:43 Testing new technologies in upcoming stores and retrofitting older sites

12:40 Wrap up

Podcast Produced by:  www.franchisebusinesshub.com.au

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Buying a 30+ year franchise brand sounds exciting but the reality is far more complex. 

In this episode of Franchise Everything, Glenn speaks with Anya Haywood, Managing Director of Seal-A-Fridge, about what it truly takes to acquire, stabilise, and modernise a legacy franchise business. From managing franchisee expectations to resisting the urge to make fast changes, Anya reveals why patience, listening, and data-driven decisions matter more than quick wins.

Anya also dives into Seal-A-Fridge’s next growth phase — sustainability, corporate accounts, and building long-term franchisee profitability through smarter systems and education. 

If you're thinking about buying a franchise brand, leading change in an established network, or scaling a service-based franchise the right way, this episode breaks down the real strategy behind sustainable franchise growth.

0:00 Introduction

0:33 Seal-A-Fridge’s 37-year history and franchisee-to-franchisor ownership shift

3:06 Preserving organisational knowledge when acquiring an established brand

5:14 Managing unrealistic franchisee requests while protecting long-term relationships

6:55 The key phases of acquiring a franchise brand and where Seal-A-Fridge sits now

11:19 Moving into product stewardship as a long-term environmental and business focus at the 18-month mark

13:51 Leadership advice for anyone acquiring a franchise brand or stepping into a change mandate 

15:27Wrap up

Podcast Produced by:  www.franchisebusinesshub.com.au

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Ginger White is the co-founder of Hogs Breath, a brand that began as a single casual dining restaurant in Airlie Beach, Queensland, and went on to become one of Australia’s most recognisable national steakhouse franchises. Inspired by sailing trips along the U.S. East Coast in the 1980s, the original idea was shaped by the relaxed coastal culture, casual food, and community atmosphere found in small American beach towns.

That inspiration was brought back to Australia and transformed into the first Hogs Breath restaurant, which opened from a converted house in 1989. Known from the beginning for its prime rib, American-style casual dining, fun energy, and relaxed lifestyle feel, the brand quickly built a loyal following through early merchandising, collectible T-shirts, and strong community connections, with a second store opening just a year later and franchising soon after.

As Hogs Breath expanded across Queensland and then nationally, sport sponsorships, sailing regattas, and major events helped shape its cultural impact before the age of social media, with international expansion into New Zealand and Asia following in later years. Now more than 36 years on, Ginger reflects on what it means to see new leadership take the brand forward while continuing to protect the culture, lifestyle, and franchisee passion that defined Hogs Breath from the very beginning.

0:00 Introduction

0:51 What Hog's Breath is and how the original concept began

2:34 Transforming an American oyster shack concept into a steakhouse brand

3:17 Meeting Don in 1983 and tracing the brand idea back to the late ’80s

3:39 Turning the original idea into a physical restaurant in Airlie Beach

4:52 Converting a small house into the very first Hogs Breath restaurant

5:42 Opening on July 4th and connecting the brand to its American roots

7:13 Opening the second location at Mooloolaba just a year later 

8:26 Punching above weight with strong brand presence and cultural impact

10:26 The evolution of the brand and early thoughts on international expansion

11:03 Seeing the brand evolve through new leadership and fresh vision

12:43 Wrap up

Podcast Produced by:  www.franchisebusinesshub.com.au

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Mark Carter is an international speaker, trainer, author, and learning and development professional with nearly 30 years of experience in human behaviour, leadership, and performance. From his early days as a tour leader with Contiki in Europe, Mark’s passion for storytelling, people, and learning naturally evolved into a career on stage.

What began as an opportunity to train others in presentation skills grew into a comprehensive framework for powerful communication, blending voice, body language, storytelling, audience engagement, and delivery. Over the years, Mark developed his unique cinematic presentation style, creating immersive keynote experiences that combine sound, vision, and live storytelling to captivate audiences in an entirely different way.

Driven more by purpose than applause, Mark’s work has always centred on sharing knowledge, developing leaders, and helping people connect more deeply with their message. His career has expanded across industries, allowing him to build a diverse range of content while maintaining a consistent standard of impact and authenticity.

0:00 Introduction

0:46 Early experiences that shaped Mark’s presentation career

2:34 Realising the passion for presenting through people and performance energy

5:26 Incremental skill-building as the foundation of great presenting

6:20 Presenting without slides and relying purely on content mastery

7:39 Managing technical failures in cinematic-style presentations

10:48 The inspiration behind adopting a cinematic presentation style

13:20 The turning point from trainer to professional speaker and MC 

15:25 Using diversified content streams to stay flexible as a presenter

18:43 Future goals and the next stage of Mark’s speaking journey

20:27 Wrap up

Podcast Produced by:  www.franchisebusinesshub.com.au

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Shane Seymour is the founder and franchisor of TV Magic, a nationwide mobile home entertainment installation franchise, and Assembly Magic, a growing flat-pack assembly service brand. With 22 years in business and 45 trucks operating across Australia, Shane has built a system grounded in practical experience and long-term franchisee success.

Specialising in TV installations, antennas, home entertainment systems, and smart technology, TV Magic continues to grow alongside changing consumer needs. After recognising strong demand from his customer base, Shane expanded the business with Assembly Magic to support flat-pack furniture assembly, adding another scalable service to the network.

Through decades in franchising, Shane has developed a strong perspective on what makes a franchise succeed. He is passionate about responsible franchising, transparent systems, and building businesses that genuinely support franchisees rather than oversaturate territories. He believes authentic franchisee stories now matter more than ever in an industry shaped by trust and real-world results.

0:00 Introduction

0:41 What's TV Magic

1:35 years in business and expanding to 45 trucks nationwide

1:52 Sharing views on franchising, brand value, and franchisee support

4:31 Issues seen in trades and mobile service franchises

6:26 Encouraging prospects to speak with both top and low performers

8:18 Different owner goals and how performance varies by lifestyle choice 

10:59 Responding to prospects with negative views about franchising 

12:10 The most common questions prospects ask before buying a mobile franchise

14:40 First steps for assessing the right franchise opportunity

17:33 Weighing franchise entry fees and royalties against real business risk

19:27 Wrap up

Podcast Produced by:  www.franchisebusinesshub.com.au

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In this episode of the Franchise Everything Podcast, Glenn sits down with David Ciantar, Group General Manager of Fabe (Food and Beverage Enterprises), the parent company behind Piccolo Me and Sol Bowl. 

David shares how Fabe approaches brand acquisitions, what it takes to integrate a new franchise concept, and why long-term planning matters when building a multi-brand portfolio. He also explains how Fabe prepares franchisees, communicates acquisitions internally, and maintains strong brand differentiation across its network.

David also gives a behind-the-scenes look into Sol Bowl’s rebrand, co-branded store models, and Fabe’s expansion strategy into new states and even internationally including their first co-branded Piccolo Me x Sol Bowl store in Lebanon. 

0:00 Introduction

0:21 What is Fabe

1:03 Why acquire brands and how did Sol Bowl enter the picture

2:28 How Piccolo Me franchisees reacted to the Sol Bowl acquisition 

3:49 Should founders stay on after an acquisition

5:55 Would Fabe pursue QSR or non-cafe brands in the future

7:54 What makes a concept “pop” and worth acquiring

9:28 Key learnings from the first 12 months of owning Sol Bowl 

10:30 Can Piccolo Me and Soul Bowl operate as co-brands in shared locations

12:21 Why Fabe chose Lebanon for its first international, co-branded store

13:24 Wrap up

Podcast Produced by:  www.franchisebusinesshub.com.au

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