Franchise Everything

How can tutoring businesses use AI to support students without losing the human connection that makes learning effective?
 
Melinda Smith, CEO of Kip McGrath, shares how her background in retail, government operations and early learning shaped her approach to customer service, education and franchise leadership. With 50 years of history and more than two million children supported, Kip McGrath focuses on helping students who struggle with maths and English build confidence and keep up with their learning.
 
Melinda discusses AI in education, the role of face-to-face tutoring, and why teachers remain essential to student success. She also shares Kip McGrath’s priorities for improving franchisee support, strengthening existing markets and reaching more children through future growth.
 
Key takeaways
How Kip McGrath helps students who have fallen behind in maths and English catch up and keep up
Why passionate franchisees and teachers are central to the brand’s success
Why Kip McGrath is prioritising its current markets before expanding into new countries
How Monty, Kip McGrath’s homework helper, supports learning and helps children develop AI fluency
How human connection, trust and understanding a student’s emotions support effective learning
How curriculum, marketing, service and communication are key priorities for the next 12 to 18 months.
Why growth matters to Kip McGrath’s mission of helping more children succeed.
 
Chapters
00:00 Meet Melinda Smith, CEO of Kip McGrath
1:08 Melinda’s Background in Retail, Government Operations and Early Learning
02:07 Kip McGrath’s 50-Year History and Focus on Student Progress
02:54 Why Franchisees and Passionate Teachers Drive the Business
04:13 How Building Student Confidence Can Change Learning Outcomes
05:14 Kip McGrath’s International Markets and Future Growth Priorities
06:49 How AI Is Shaping the Future of Tutoring and Education
07:26 Monty the Homework Helper and Teaching AI Fluency Safely
08:10 Why Face-to-Face Tutoring and Teachers Remain Essential
09:57 Using Digital Tools Without Replacing Human Connection
10:41 Melinda’s Priorities for Franchisee Support Over the Next 18 Months
12:25 Investing in Curriculum, Marketing and Better Franchisee Communication
13:11 Growing the Network to Help More Children Access Tutoring
 
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Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/cww6xduv
Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/mxv77knm
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YouTube: https://youtu.be/7M1-2clyN-Q
 
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What happens when you grow up in a family business and eventually get the opportunity to take it over?
 
Brooke has known Donut King for almost her entire life. After growing up in her family’s franchise business, she chose to build her own career first, gaining experience in retail, multi-site operations and marketing before returning to help manage her family’s eight Donut King businesses.
 
In this episode, Brooke shares how her experience at National Storage taught her to track performance across multiple locations, understand the numbers and work on the business rather than just in it.
 
She explains how those skills helped her take on greater responsibility within the family business and purchase her first Donut King franchise in November 2024.
 
Key takeaways:
How Brooke’s early experience in Donut King shaped her work ethic and customer service skills
Why working at National Storage and a marketing company helped her develop new operational skills
How tracking data and comparing performance across multiple locations improved her approach to operations
How Brooke and her parents approached the transition, with a long-term plan for her to purchase the businesses
How consistent operating standards allow staff to move between stores
How receiving pre-made donut shells simplified store operations and reduced reliance on early-morning baking
Brooke’s ambition to build her own group of Donut King franchises
 
Chapters
00:32 Meet Brooke Kochelak and Her Donut King Family Legacy
02:48 Learning Business Skills From a Young Age
03:48 Why Brooke Built Her Career Outside the Family Business
06:00 Taking Over the Family Business
07:27 Learning to Manage Multiple Locations
10:18 Understanding the Role of Marketing
11:21 Planning the Family Business Succession
13:37 Buying Her First Donut King Franchise
14:08 Assessing a Franchise Purchase
15:14 Managing Staff Across Multiple Stores
16:27 What Running a Donut King Business Looks Like
17:11 How Changes to Store Operations Made Business Easier
18:11 Lessons From Brooke’s Franchise Journey
19:13 Why Franchisee Support Matters
20:41 Brooke’s Five-Year Vision for Donut King
21:38 Wrapping Up
 
Listen or Watch on;
 
Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/29zua54h
Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/2mcms2ds
Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/mrybthd5
YouTube: https://youtu.be/BItAnPBA7LQ

How do you turn an event photography side hustle into a business that can grow into a franchise?
 
Haim Kadar shares the story behind Magnet-Me, explaining how the photo magnet business developed from a side hustle into a full-time opportunity and eventually a franchise model.
 
In this episode, Haim discusses the lifestyle flexibility the business can offer, the skills needed to run it, and how the right equipment, training and support help franchisees get started. He also explains the “business in a box” approach and the systems that support the operation, including its CRM, workflows, packages and contracts.
 
Haim also explores how Magnet-Me can complement an existing photography business, create referral opportunities and generate repeat business through events.
 
Key Takeaways:
-How Magnet-Me developed from an additional income opportunity into a dedicated business
-The flexibility the business model can offer
-What prospective franchisees need to know before getting started
-The capabilities required to operate a Magnet-Me business
-How equipment, training and support help franchisees launch
-The role of CRM, workflows, packages and contracts in running the business
-How Magnet-Me can fit alongside other photography services
-How events and client relationships can create further opportunities
 
Chapters:
00:00 Meet Haim Kadar of Magnet Me
02:10 Starting a Photo Magnet Business in 2010
04:00 Buying the Original Business
06:36 Why Haim Returned to Australia
07:27 Leaving His Corporate Job to Pursue a New Opportunity
08:05 Building a Family Business With His Wife
11:12 When Haim Went Full Time in Magnet Me
12:15 Why Customer Service Matters
14:02 Using Contractors to Grow the Business
16:02 Navigating COVID as an Events Business
17:41 Why Haim Decided to Franchise Magnet Me
19:21 Why Franchising Offers More Than a Contractor Model
21:51 Turning Business Experience Into Franchise Systems
23:07 Haim's Five-Year Vision for Magnet Me
24:05 Expanding Into More Australian Territories
 
Listen or Watch on;
Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/bdz7psb4
Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/3z878xwx
Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/5awxsmtj
YouTube: https://youtu.be/5WhLm3zOrD8
 
Build Consistent Video Content for Your Franchise
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Can you own a plumbing franchise without being a plumber?
 
In this episode of Franchise Everything, Glenn Walford speaks with Shaun McCarthy, Master Plumber for Plumbing Bros, about how he works alongside franchise owner Cal to manage the technical side of the business.
 
Shaun shares his journey from completing his plumbing apprenticeship in New Zealand and running his own plumbing business to moving to Australia and taking on a different role within a franchise.
 
He explains how the arrangement works, from quoting jobs and checking compliance to maintaining work quality and communicating with clients.
 
Key takeaways:
How a franchise owner can run the business while an experienced Master Plumber manages technical work
From his plumbing apprenticeship in New Zealand to running his own business and moving to Australia
Why finding clients and managing the pressures of running a business can be demanding
How Shaun's technical knowledge helps Kal make informed decisions about jobs and compliance
Why transparency between the franchise owner and Master Plumber matters
Why following plumbing codes and keeping clients informed are essential
 
Chapters
00:00 How Plumbing Bros Works Without the Owner Being a Plumber
00:27 Meet Shaun McCarthy, Master Plumber at Plumbing Bros
01:18 Shaun's Plumbing Apprenticeship in New Zealand
03:04 Learning the Trade and Building Experience
06:23 From Apprentice to Licensed Plumber
08:05 Learning to Lead and Train Apprentices
09:15 Starting His Own Plumbing Business
10:11 Why Shaun Moved to Australia
13:00 Getting Licensed to Work in Australia
14:02 How Shaun Supports Plumbing Bros Franchise Owner Kal
15:06 The Challenges of Running Your Own Business
16:03 Why Shaun Joined Plumbing Bros
17:02 Balancing Technical Expertise and Business Ownership
18:54 Quoting Jobs, Site Visits and Compliance
21:09 Working Transparently With the Franchise Owner
21:41 Why Compliance and Attention to Detail Matter
22:47 Bringing on an Apprentice
23:19 Wrapping Up
 
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Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/bparf7jt
Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/3yvbexs9
Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/2znuwnxv
YouTube: https://youtu.be/3praTryJ-9c
 
Build Consistent Video Content for Your Franchise
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Key takeaways
How Charlie went from truck driver to business development manager before starting Battery Zone
Why he saw a gap in the market for a dedicated battery retail business
Why service, product choice and giving customers options have been central to Battery Zone’s growth
How Charlie grew the Pakenham store from around $18,000 to approximately $120,000 in monthly sales
How supplier relationships can help franchisees improve margins and grow their businesses
Why Charlie believes business owners should reinvest in the business and plan their exit strategy early
How Battery Zone is developing mobile and hybrid franchise opportunities
Charlie’s five-year plan to expand mobile battery coverage across Victoria
 
Chapters
0:28 Meet Charlie Carter, Founder of Battery Zone
0:59 What Battery Zone Does
2:08 How Charlie Got Into the Battery Industry
2:42 From Truck Driver to Business Development Manager
4:03 Learning to Grow Sales and Customer Accounts
5:11 Why Battery Knowledge and Testing Matter
6:22 How Battery Testing Can Prevent Breakdowns
7:32 The Service Philosophy Behind Battery Zone
9:30 Applying Seven Years of Industry Experience
10:42 Turning Experience Into Systems and Processes
11:04 Why Battery Zone Expanded Its Product Range
13:45 Growing From $18K to $120K a Month
14:29 How Word of Mouth Helped Grow the Business
16:47 Building Supplier Relationships and Better Margins
18:17 Developing the Mobile Battery Franchise Model
19:26 Why Franchise Royalties Go Back Into the Business
20:43 Why Every Franchisee Needs an Exit Strategy
21:37 Building a Valuable Franchise Business
22:07 Battery Zone’s Five-Year Growth Plan
22:48 Creating Hybrid Franchise Opportunities
23:35 Adding Value to Existing Business Space
24:00 Wrapping Up
 
What does it take to turn experience in the battery industry into a successful business?
 
Charlie Carter, founder of Battery Zone, share his journey from truck driver and battery industry business development manager to building his own battery retail business.
 
After spending seven years working with battery retailers and helping them grow their sales, Charlie saw an opportunity to open a dedicated battery store in Pakenham.
 
Charlie talks about the challenges of the first few years, how customer service and product choice became central to Battery Zone, and how the original store grew from around $18,000 in monthly sales to approximately $120,000 a month.
 
He also shares how word of mouth, supplier relationships and understanding what customers need helped the business grow.
 
Listen or Watch on;
 
Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/2tbucrwz
Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/4762a596
Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/57np3tn4
YouTube: https://youtu.be/gxjLYFcLvPQ
 
Build Consistent Video Content for Your Franchisehttps://www.franchisebuyermarketing.com.au/video-subscriptions

Key takeaways:
Why Donut King's simple operating model has remained largely unchanged over 45 years
How Donut King has stepped back to understand what made the brand successful
Why listening to experienced franchise partners has become a key part of the brand's strategy
How new dashboards and financial tools are helping franchisees focus on profitability
Why franchise businesses need to focus on what makes their franchise partners more money
How Donut King has simplified its marketing around core customers, products and pricing
Why licensed partnerships and promotions are being brought back into focus
Where Donut King sees opportunities for growth across metro and regional Australia
How multi-site franchise partners are contributing to the next stage of expansion
 
Chapters
00:32 Meet Tom Elliott, Executive General Manager at Donut King
01:14 Donut King's 45-Year History
01:48 Why the Donut King Model Has Stayed Simple
02:02 The Three Pieces of Equipment Driving the Business
03:35 Why Simplicity Matters for Franchise Partners
06:00 Going Back to What Made Donut King Successful
07:17 Getting Franchise Partners Involved in the Reset
08:00 The Franchise Partners Behind the Brand
09:18 Moving From Compliance to Franchisee Profitability
10:44 New Dashboards and Financial Tools
11:38 Why Profitability Is the Number That Matters
12:13 The Marketing Reset
14:08 Why Donut King Doesn't Need to Reinvent the Wheel
15:03 Metro, Regional and Multi-Site Growth
16:42 Why Donut King Appeals to Landlords
17:12 The Future of Donut King
 
What does it take to take a 45-year-old franchise brand, get back to the fundamentals and build it for the next stage of growth?
 
Tom Elliott, Executive General Manager at Donut King, joins Glenn Walford on the Franchise Everything podcast to unpack the evolution of one of Australia's best-known franchise brands. With Donut King once operating around 350 locations and now sitting at around 180, Tom explains how the business has stepped back to understand what made the brand successful in the first place.
 
Tom talks about the simplicity of the Donut King operating model, the importance of listening to franchise partners, and the work the business has done to better understand its core customers. He also shares how new financial dashboards and operational tools are helping franchisees focus on profitability, while a renewed focus on core products, licensed partnerships and marketing fundamentals is helping drive the next phase of growth.
 
With significant white space across Australia, Tom also discusses the opportunities for new locations, multi-site franchise partners and regional stores.
 
Listen or Watch on;
 
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Apple Podcasts:
Amazon Music:
YouTube: https://youtu.be/ew7eSyI41Ns

Key Takeaways:
How Magnet-Me started as a side hustle and developed into a full-time business
Why Haim considers Magnet-Me a lifestyle business and how it provides flexibility around family and work
How Magnet-Me developed its franchise model after receiving enquiries from across Australia
What franchise partners need to know about photography and the training provided
How the Magnet-Me kit makes the business easy to operate at events
What is included in the “business in the box”, including the CRM, email templates, workflows, packages and contracts
How the systems guide franchisees from the initial enquiry through to after the event
How Magnet-Me can complement an existing photography business
 
Chapters
00:00 Meet Haim Kadar and Magnet-Me
1:19 Why Magnet-Me Is a Lifestyle Business
02:50 From Side Hustle to Full-Time Business
04:01 Why Magnet-Me Became a Franchise
04:07 What Skills Do You Need to Run Magnet-Me?
05:05 The Magnet-Me Kit and How It Works
07:44 Building the “Business in a Box”
08:10 The Systems Behind the Magnet-Me Franchise
12:00 Adding Magnet-Me to an Existing Photography Business
13:05 How Magnet-Me Generates Referrals
14:08 Weddings, Corporate Events and Repeat Business
14:40 Wrap Up
 
How do you turn an event photography business into a franchise and build a model that gives franchisees the systems and support to run it?
 
Haim Kadar joins Glenn Walford on the Franchise Everything podcast to talk about Magnet-Me, an event photography business creating instant photo magnets for weddings, corporate events, graduations and other special occasions.
 
Haim shares how Magnet-Me started as a side hustle before becoming a full-time business, why he sees it as a lifestyle business, and how the business developed into a franchise model.
 
He also explains how the Magnet-Me kit, CRM, workflows, packages and other systems help franchisees operate the business.
 
Listen or Watch on;
 
Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/46awtfba
Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/4hsdyj8h
Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/4xtzkmrm
YouTube: https://youtu.be/wxPihvYFrFk
 
Build Consistent Video Content for Your Franchise
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KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Kat's journey from being a Kip McGrath student to becoming the owner of the same centre
How Kip McGrath helped Kat build confidence and influenced her decision to become a teacher
Why Kat decided to buy the centre when her former teacher and boss announced his retirement
What it was like becoming a franchise owner at 22 and the youngest Kip McGrath franchisee at the time
How social media, incentives and word of mouth helped Kat grow her centre
How building the right team has allowed Kat to expand to her second centre, with a long-term goal of owning three
 
TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Introduction to Kat Kammas and her Kip McGrath franchise journey
1:29 How Kip McGrath influenced Kat's education and career
3:15 Studying psychology and her original interest in child psychology
5:30 The unexpected opportunity to buy her former teacher's centre
6:09 Becoming the owner of the same centre where she had been a student and tutor
7:18 How incentives contributed to increased enrolments
8:53 What it was like becoming a business owner at 22
9:29 Using her previous experience with the centre to make the transition easier
10:14 The support she receives across marketing, communications and finance
10:47 The challenges Kat faced as a young franchise owner
11:25 Bringing social media and local marketing into a traditionally run centre
11:57 Preparing to take over her second Kip McGrath centre in San Suzy
12:31 Training staff and communicating changes before expanding
13:36 Taking over an existing Kip McGrath centre through resale
15:49 Kat's current day-to-day responsibilities
16:38 Using the Kip McGrath system to make the transition easier
17:35 Recovering from the drop in student numbers during COVID
17:54 Her long-term goal of owning three Kip McGrath centres
18:43 How Kat manages up to 250 lessons across the week
19:41 Kat's goal of reaching three centres
 
Kat Kammas is the franchise owner of Kip McGrath Miranda, where she recently celebrated five years of ownership. Her connection with the brand began much earlier, when she joined Kip McGrath as a shy student in Year 3, later becoming a tutor and eventually working for the teacher who would become her former boss.
 
Kat's journey came full circle when her former boss announced he was retiring and she immediately offered to buy the centre. She shares what it was like becoming a business owner at just 22, being the youngest Kip McGrath franchisee at the time, and learning how to lead a team while developing her business skills.
 
Listen or Watch on;
 
Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/3f9ck329Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/yushx9cwAmazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/2v7bujbsYouTube: https://youtu.be/5SUGhis5f10
Build Consistent Video Content for Your Franchise https://www.franchisebuyermarketing.com.au/video-subscriptions

Key Takeaways:
How Matt and Dani Jamieson moved from long corporate careers into franchise ownership
Why they chose to leave Canberra and build a new lifestyle on the Sunshine Coast
How a connection to Coochie HydroGreen from 20 years earlier eventually led them back to the brand
How they reached High Rollers status just three and a half years after starting the business
Why the support of the Coochie HydroGreen network and other franchisees has been important to their growth
The challenge of hiring their first employee and making the transition from working in the business to working on it
How their previous corporate leadership and management experience helped them as business owners
 
TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Welcome and introduction to Matt and Dani Jamieson, Coochie HydroGreen
1:10 Matt and Dani's career backgrounds in property law and public service
3:05 Their Sunshine Coast and Glasshouse Mountains Coochie HydroGreen territory
6:15 Choosing a business that would give them a more outdoor lifestyle
7:04 Their first connection with Coochie HydroGreen more than 20 years ago
8:22 Why they originally walked away from buying a Coochie HydroGreen franchise
9:28 Assessing the Sunshine Coast territory and its potential for growth
10:12 Transitioning from corporate careers into franchise ownership
11:29 Reaching Coochie HydroGreen High Rollers status after three and a half years
12:45 How training and support from other franchisees helped them grow
14:35 How the franchise structure protects their investment and creates collaboration
15:22 Learning the technical side of the lawn care business
17:05 Hiring their first employee and making the transition from working in the business
18:50 Adding another truck and planning for another team member
19:08 Dani's role in managing the backend of the growing business
19:56 How their previous leadership and management experience helped them build their team
20:16 Future plans for more trucks and potentially expanding into additional territories
 
Matt and Dani Jamieson are Coochie HydroGreen franchise owners who made the move from long corporate careers in property law and public service to building a business on Queensland's Sunshine Coast. After years of wanting to leave Canberra, they finally made the decision to prioritise lifestyle and began searching for a business that would allow them to work outdoors rather than remain in an office.
 
Their connection with Coochie HydroGreen began more than 20 years earlier, and after exploring other franchise opportunities, they returned to the brand and launched their own business in 2022. Their business reached High Rollers status after just three and a half years, which they credit to hard work, commitment and the support of the wider franchise network.
 
Listen or Watch on;
 
Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/ytzue2eh
Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/bdexrbxc
Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/4ewvcwxa
YouTube: https://youtu.be/kCQgVkrp2us

Key Takeaways:
How Tamika transitioned from teaching in schools to running her own tutoring business
How Aiden moved from big-box retail management into the family business
The six-month financial plan that gave them confidence to leave employment and commit to the business
How they grew from one centre to five through a combination of new locations and acquisitions
The advantages and challenges of buying an established centre versus starting a new one
How they maintain a small-business feel while managing multiple centres and teams
Why demonstrating student progress is more important than simply focusing on school results
 
TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Welcome and introduction to Tamika and Aiden Stender who have become the number one Kip McGrath store owners globally with their fifth WA centre about to open
1:34 Tamika's background in teaching and why the realities of working in schools left her wanting to make a bigger impact
3:07 Aiden's background in big-box retail management and initially supporting Tamika's tutoring business as a side venture
5:10 How rapid growth and purchasing their second centre turned the business into something they knew they could not walk away from
7:07 Expanding from one to two centres after a nearby long-term owner approached them about selling his business
8:58 The advantages of opening a new centre including choosing the location versus inheriting an existing centre and its client base
10:04 How existing teams and client relationships can make acquisitions easier while still requiring careful change management
11:02 Why their different personalities and perspectives are actually one of the biggest strengths of their partnership
13:41 What a typical day looks like for the couple and how owning the business gives them more flexibility with their two young children
16:26 Building children's confidence and creating a positive learning experience beyond simply improving academic results
20:32 Creating systems that can be replicated across five centres and making scalability achievable without adding unnecessary complexity
21:23 How AI is being used in the business for communication, ideas and productivity as the couple continues to scale
22:17 Why AI cannot replace the human relationships and confidence-building that are at the heart of tutoring
23:26 Preparing the fifth centre for opening and how their marketing strategy has evolved as the business has grown
25:11 Using real student results and positive progress to communicate the value of the business to parents
26:10 Why maintaining a small-business feel and helping every child feel valued matters more than simply becoming bigger
 
Tamika and Aiden Stender are WA-based Kip McGrath multi-centre owners who have grown their business from one centre to five and have become the brand's number one store owners globally. Tamika shares her journey from teaching into business ownership, while Aidan explains his transition from big-box retail management to joining the business full time.
 
Together, they discuss their growth through new centres and acquisitions, the importance of word-of-mouth and strong relationships with parents, how they divide responsibilities as a husband-and-wife team, and their approach to developing their people and using AI. Despite their continued expansion, Tamika and Aiden remain focused on maintaining quality, supporting their teams and ensuring every child feels valued and sees genuine progress.
 
Listen or Watch on;
Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/3menkn5v
Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/52dy6fsv
Amazon Music: 
YouTube: https://youtu.be/P7J_nXoyF_0