The Franchise Council of Australia has shone the spotlight on some of the nation’s top franchisors and franchisees at this year’s FCA Excellence in Franchising Awards, held virtually.
Taking out the top slot, the Australian Established Franchisor of the Year award, was automotive aftermarket repair franchise Rapid Tune which beat fellow finalists Chicken Treat, CouriersPlease, Pirtek Fluid Systems and RAMS Home Loans.
Mark Rippon, CEO of Rapid Tune, said “We’re so rapt to have won the award.”
Rippon highlighted the “bravery and tenacity” of the Rapid Tune franchisees during Covid.
“Their ability to adjust and adapt was absolutely incredible and it made me proud to be an Australian businessperson. That goes for the whole team at Rapid Tune as well, who really put in a strong effort and pulled together.”
In-home seniors and disability care provider, Home Caring, was named the Australian Emerging Franchisor of the Year, with City Cave and Fitstop Australia the category finalists.
Bill Lockett, franchise manager at Home Caring, said “Our first franchise started in January 2019 and since then it’s grown rapidly. It’s a great pleasure to see the success of all these franchisees coming from so many different backgrounds, speaking 30 languages and from about 20 different countries.”
The International Franchisor of the Year Award was taken out by InXpress. Anytime Fitness and Chatime Group were named as finalists in this category.
“We’re really honoured to receive this particular award,” said Marcel Lal, CEO Asia Pacific at InXpress.
“There’s so much hard work that goes into being successful, and trying to be successful, and we’re very proud to be a part of the Australian franchising industry that employs so many Australians.”
CouriersPlease had a double win, scooping up both the Excellence in Franchise Innovation and Franchisor Social Responsibility Awards.
Muffin Break beat five other finalists to win the Excellence in Marketing Award and Spectrum Analysis was named this year’s Supplier of the Year.
Karen Purcell, regulations and accreditation manager at Foodco [who appeared in the Top 30 Franchise Executives’ list for 2021] was named the FCA Franchise Woman of the Year.
Phil Colburn of Poolwerx was a back-to-back winner, taking out the Field Manager of the Year award for the second year in a row.
Also at the event, Bakers Delight co-founder, Lesley Gillespie, was inducted into the FCA’s Hall of Fame.
Franchisee awards
ANZ Mobile Lending took out two franchisee category awards: Alex McRae of ANZ Mobile Lending – Drummoyne, Balmain, Burwood was named Multi-Unit Franchisee of the Year; David Sulava and Janet Mu of ANZ Mobile Lending in Flemington won the award for Single Unit Franchisee, two or more staff.
Janet Mu said “The secret of our success is our team. Over Covid it’s been very challenging but what’s kept us going is our team. I think being in Covid has given us the opportunity to create such a close team because we’ve become each other’s family. This award definitely goes out to our team.”
InXpress Brisbane franchisee Bev Taylor won the award for Single Unit Franchisee, less than two staff.
Franchise Council of Australia CEO, Mary Aldred praised the finalists and winners for their strong performance during testing times.
“In one of the most difficult economic environments ever experienced by Australian business, the resilience, adaptability and determination that has been demonstrated by all Awards finalists and winners is truly outstanding,” she said.
“We congratulate them of them for their persistence and achievements during an extraordinarily challenging time and commend each and every hard-working franchisee and franchisor across Australia for the for their vital contributions to employment, the economy and communities across the nation.”
