Contributors
James Sinclair
James Sinclair is the CEO of Signature Hospitality Group, which operates brands such as The Sporting Globe Bar & Grill, TGI Fridays (Australia), and WJWills Eatery.
Jamie Shostak and Michael MacRae
Michael MacRae is director and co-founder of Appetiser Apps. Originally hailing from Germany, Michael founded his first mobile app company, amii Solutions, while studying at RMIT University in Victoria. He found early success with one of his first apps, First Time Pregnancy, which gained over half a million users within the space of a few weeks. Another app, GEAVI, aimed to reduce violence against women and earned a $17M US/AU patent from Telstra.
After meeting his eventual co-founder Jamie Shostak at the coffee machine at their shared co-working space, Michael was inspired to launch what is now Australia’s fastest-growing app development agency: Appetiser Apps. The agency now boasts four offices globally with over 100 members of staff across three continents and clients including YouFoodz and Sushi Train.
Jamie Shostak is co-founder and head of growth at Appetiser Apps, Australia’s fastest-growing app development agency. At 19, Jamie launched his first growth marketing agency, Webhype, which he grew to over half a million dollars in annual revenue over the space of a few short years.
In 2016, a chance encounter with his eventual co-founder, developer Michael MacRae, set the wheels in motion for Jamie’s next venture: Appetiser Apps. With Jamie’s marketing expertise and Michael’s developing know-how, the pair were able to successfully launch what is now Australia’s fastest-growing app development agency. The company has grown to a team of over 100 with offices across three continents, along with awards including the Deloitte 2019 Fast Starter, Young Entrepreneur of the Year and SmartCompany 30 Under 30.
Jane Edwards
BBS Communications Group Executive Chairman Jane Edwards is one of Australia’s most prominent business leaders, having served on numerous boards and committees. Under Jane’s expert guidance, BBS had worked to boost the profile and business prowess of retailers like Domino’s Pizza, Retail Food Group, Eagle Boys Pizza, Darrell Lea and Hardy Brothers Jewellery.
Jeff Vassel
For the past five years, Jeff Vassel has been the Global Business Development Manager for Geotech.
Founded in 2004, Geotech is a data analytics and strategy company that works with both franchised and on franchised retailers in Australia, New Zealand, SE Asia & the US. It provides science-based models and tools to assist retailers in better understanding what drives store sales performance.
Geotech has access to a range of data sets that help underpin profitable network growth planning and consult to a number of international brands including McDonald’s, KFC, Nandos & Taco Bell.
Vassel works closely with clients to help drive better location planning decisions that assist property, operations and marketing across the retail spectrum.
John Moyes
International franchise consultant
Mobile: +61433386314
Josh Franklin
Josh Franklin has more than 20 years of experience leading cutting edge food & beverage, retail and payments technology startups, scale-ups and global multi-nationals. Josh has a wealth of industry knowledge and experience in everything from POS Systems to omni-channel payment solutions and is deeply passionate about removing the complexity from this often fragmented space.
Lorelle Frazer
Professor Lorelle Frazer is Director of Griffith University’s Asia-Pacific Centre for Franchising Excellence and one of the world’s leading franchise researchers and educators. Lorelle has been actively involved in franchising research and sectoral policy initiatives for more than 15 years. She also lectures in franchising and is a member of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission Franchising Consultative Panel. Her research is often used to inform sector policy and in 2010 Lorelle was awarded the Franchise Council of Australia’s national Contribution to Franchising Award.
Asia-Pacific Centre for Franchising Excellence
Griffith University’s Asia-Pacific Centre for Franchising Excellence aims to drive franchise sector best practice through practical, independent research and education. Visit the Centre’s website at: www.franchise.edu.au
Matt Caldicott
Matt Caldicott is a high-achieving senior leader with proven success in strategic, financial and operational management of high-growth tech and scale-up businesses. He has held senior leadership roles at a range of multinational organisations including EY, and PwC with extensive experience leading sales, operations and finance teams.
As the CFOO, Matt is responsible for all US and Australian go-to-market activities for Zapid Hire, including strategy, sales, customer success, finance and the continued growth of the Zapid Hire product.
Commentary
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