RFG comes up with three-year plan to bolster growth; shakes up execs
Australia’s largest multi-brand retail food franchisor Retail Food Group Limited announced its plans to target significant growth from recent acquisitions.
RFG Managing Director Tony Alford said, “FY15 M&A activity has established RFG as a genuine global franchising powerhouse, fortified by an expansive coffee and beverage business and an international licensing platform.”
“The initiatives outlined today position the Group to take advantage of the multiple growth opportunities arising from this transformation.”
The company outlined a three year strategic plan, which includes:
- Ongoing pursuit of acquisition opportunities;
- Driving Brand and Brand System development with increased focus on digital opportunity;
- Establishment of the Company’s first dedicated International Division to support and expand presence in foreign markets (including 58 existing licensed territories);
- Accelerated penetration of Di Bella Coffee domestically and in international markets;
- Expansion of the Group’s beverage business including new product lines and the establishment of a commissariat to service existing and future third party (non-franchised) demand; and
- Acceleration of the financial services platform to support franchisees.
RFG also announced that its Managing Director and CEO functions will be separated in order to allow the Company to maximise the potential of recent acquisition and mid-term strategic opportunities.
Managing Director Tony Alford will continue to lead RFG’s management team as full time executive Managing Director, with primary focus on the broader strategic imperatives of the Group, including acquisition and alignment opportunity, international development and penetration of new markets.
Alford will be supported by the appointment of joint CEOs:
- CEO Franchise: Retiring Chief Operating Officer Andre Nell has been appointed, with focus on driving Brand Systems and leveraging the global platform afforded by the Company’s existing international licensing operations;
- CEO Commercial: Formerly Director of Franchise, Gary Alford has been appointed, with focus on global enhancement of the Company’s non-franchised operations, including manufacturing and wholesale operations, supply-chain and procurement, specialty coffee and allied products.
Alford said, “The company’s significant growth opportunities require and will be enhanced by the demarcation of roles and responsibilities. I have absolute confidence in Andre and Gary, and believe the creation of joint CEO functions will ensure that appropriate resources are focused on driving the entire complement of RFG’s growth initiatives”.
Meanwhile, RFG Chief Legal Officer Mark Connors has been promoted to the role of Chief Operating Officer, responsible for the management and leadership of RFG’s corporate service and support functions, as well as driving M&A activity and the identification of new markets.
Alford noted that Connors was a natural choice for advancement having achieved considerable success over a long career with RFG that spans more than a decade.
“During this time Mark has held a variety of roles, including Chief Legal Officer, Company Secretary and Deputy Chief Operating Officer. More recently he led RFG’s project teams in respect to the Gloria Jean’s Coffees Group and Di Bella Coffee acquisitions, and is ably positioned to drive those service and support functions integral of the success of RFG’s business,” he said.
