Top performers in Queensland's franchise sector were celebrated last week at the first regional awards in the FCA's Exellence in Franchising awards.
The evening at the Brisbane Hilton started with the David Acheson Memorial Contribution to Franchising Award which went to Rob Melin of Australian Accounting & Franchising Professionals. The David Acheson Memorial Contribution to Franchising Award is presented to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the franchise sector in Queensland via their advocacy, commitment to leadership in franchising best practice, and for going above and beyond to support the work of the Franchise Council.
Marlies Hobbs, the founder of Paleo Caf_, was named the Qld/NT Franchise Woman of the Year and Debrah Stanton of First Class Financial Group took out the Qld/NT Field Manager of the Year award.
Hobbs began her franchising journey when her son, Troy, was born with a severe dairy intolerance. This in turn led her to the paleo diet and to opening the first Paleo Caf_ in Cairns in October 2012. The business was franchised in 2014, and has grown to 12 stores in just 12 months.
“The awards are a great opportunity to reflect on your achievements to date and look at the business from a more objective perspective,” said Marlies. “It’s a really great honour to win this award and it allows opportunities in terms of lifting my profile, not only as a mother in business but also to help inspire people in the health and wellness space.”
FCA winners
Qld/NT Multi-Unit Franchisee of the Year
Colin Webster and Andy Stribling, Boost Juice and Salsas Fresh Mex Grill
Qld/NT Single Unit Franchisee of the Year – two or more staff
Katie Mills and Amanda Mills, Ella Bache, Pacific Fair
Qld/NT Single Unit Franchisee of the Year – less than two staff
Parul Mehta, First Class Accounts, Sunnybank Hills
Qld/NT Franchise Woman of the Year
Marlies Hobbs, Paleo Caf_
Qld/NT Field Manager of the Year
Debrah Stanton, First Class Financial Group,
Qld/NT Franchisee Community Contribution and Responsibility
Alexandra Lincoln, John Bleakley and Kim Taylor, PRDnationwide Real Estate, Toowoomba City
All these regional winners have qualified as finalists for the MYOB FCA National Excellence in Franchising Awards. The gala dinner will be held at RACV Royal Pines on the Gold Coast on Tuesday 13 October at the culmination of the National Franchise Convention.
