Australia

Just in time for their 30th restaurant's opening.

It's the brand's first charitable partnership.

Media is important to franchise systems to build image, launch products and maintain the brand. As media exposure is the primary way to reach the public, it is essential to understand how to deliver your messages in a positive manner. Today’s media represents a vast information stream encompassing all forms of communication channels including television, radio, print, video, film, as well as, social internet mediums such as Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, Four Square, websites and individual blogs. A company can disseminate a message in the morning and have it circulated globally in a matter of hours. This volatile form of dissemination, called viral distribution, can be a whirlwind of goodwill or a camp fire turned into an inferno. Therefore it is essential for franchises to ensure that their spokespersons are prepared to deliver their key messages correctly; gaining attention whilst growing and protecting the brand. It is important to realise that journalists conduct interviews to get a story and are often searching for a sensational response, incorrect answer or embarrassing moment. Remember the adage “bad news sells."

Online and mobile loyalty programs are gaining popularity.

Digital Director, Leigh Grey-Smith, shares his thoughts on the latest trend.

Find out what inspired them with the revamp.

They plan to unveil 20 stores next year.

Check out what QSRs have been up to on social media.

They are focused on being more transparent.

As a franchise consultant I have been asked many times what are the main causes of franchisee failure in the industry and how to avoid them. Most failure comes back to a couple of industry problems, lack of proper training and undercapitalised owners. Often the basic training is rushed or inadequate and follow up is often very minimal. Many franchisees are inadequately capitalised and have over borrowed either from banks or family either way it becomes a problem in quiet seasons. Most responsible franchisors like no more than 40% borrowing which is a fairly safe margin. There are further reasons of failure. Cost controls being a major problem, with over 20 years in the fast food arena I never cease to be amazed at the number of franchisees that I talk with who do not know what stock level they are holding , what dead stock they have, when ordering they just guess what they need. It is absolutely essential in today’s market with rising costs to know what your costs really are. We all know that a major killer is the cost of labour and rents, which are continually rising. Wages you can control rent is not so easy. With wages employ the minimum of staff and where you can man the fort yourself, I have found over the years that many franchisees want Saturday & Sunday off and once a week some other day off or afternoon. When it is quiet more reason to do the work yourself why pay staff when not needed. The staff you do have ensure they are multi-taskers and very efficient so that they can often cover for another staff member who is maybe busy with a customer. Another cost factor often overlooked is machinery maintenance especially refrigeration equipment. Cleaning grills and air vents can save a heap on electricity alone, clean weekly. Regular servicing can prevent major expense such as new compressors often thousand of dollars, when a 3 monthly service would probably cost you less than a thousand per year. Every dollar wasted is an added cost of sales. One other point I would like to make is retraining. We are never too old to learn and we need to continually train staff and self in all areas of the business especially customer service which is certainly getting better in some parts but still leave s a lot to be desired. Training staff to up sell is also very important but I hardly ever see or hear someone upselling with the exception of say McDonald’s and Hungry Jacks. It has been said that 20% of McDonald’s sales are in fact from upselling. I had a sticker on the cash register, which said “ I don’t pay your wages the Customer does so remember that always.”

They now have four QSR brands.

Check out what QSRs have been up to on social media.

Recent press exposure regarding allegations of significant underpayments to staff have once again displayed the serious risk to brand equity that can result from franchisees not complying with Australia’s industrial awards and wages system. It has been has been reported that a La Porchetta franchisee believed he could ‘top up’ their sub-minimum wage pay packets by providing pizza and soft drinks. The case will appear in the Federal Circuit Court in Melbourne for a directions hearing on September 18 later this year.

It all starts with a great market insight.

After discovering a 'synergy'.

The brand hopes to roll out more 'green' stores by 2015.