Franchise Everything

Ep155 From Sushi Sushi Staff to Multi-Site, Multi-State Franchise Owner | Dor Li

Dor Li is a multi-site, multi-state Sushi Sushi franchise owner who has spent years building his career inside the brand starting as a team member, rising through management, and eventually becoming a franchise owner across multiple states.
 
In this episode of the Franchise Everything Podcast, Dor shares his full journey from arriving in Australia as an international student, studying commercial cookery, managing company-owned stores, becoming an area manager across WA and Queensland, and finally stepping into franchise ownership in regional Victoria and Western Australia.
 
We talk about how he transitioned from head office to owning stores, how he builds strong store teams, why staff training is the real key to scaling multiple locations, and what it takes to grow from one store to six — with a seventh on the way.
 
0:00 Introduction
0:41 Moving from China to Australia as a student
02:20 Learning to cook out of necessity and living independently
03:47 First job at Sushi Sushi and early impressions
5:54 Becoming a store manager in a company-owned store
07:04 Moving to Western Australia as Area Manager
08:25 Rapid expansion and opening multiple stores per month
10:18 Overseeing WA and Queensland operations
11:51 Moving back to Melbourne to lead training and projects
12:44 The decision to become a franchise owner
15:06 COVID, leaving head office, and buying regional stores
16:58 How Dor adds new stores and builds management teams
18:39 What Dor looks for in future store opportunities
19:35 Wrap up
 
Franchise Recruitment Marketing - Appear on our Podcasts HERE
 
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Ep154 What Businesses Must Know About Payday Super with Jay Westbury, CEO of FCA

From 1 July 2026, every Australian business will be required to pay superannuation on the same day as wages  a change known as Payday Super. While it sounds simple on paper, the real impact on cashflow, payroll systems, and compliance could be significant, especially for small businesses and franchisees.
 
In this episode, Glenn sits down with Jay Westbury, CEO of the Franchise Council of Australia, to unpack what Payday Super actually means, why it’s being introduced, and what business owners should be thinking about right now to avoid being caught out.
 
They also cover enforcement, the closure of the ATO clearing house, and why both franchisors and franchisees need to start preparing now rather than waiting until mid-2026.
 
0:00 Introduction
0:49 What is Payday Super and what exactly changes from 1 July 2026
01:55 How Payday Super changes cashflow and payroll mechanics
02:56 Will businesses change pay cycles to cope with the new rules
4:16 Why the government introduced Payday Super and why now
5:54 Will the ATO enforce this aggressively and what penalties could look like
7:23 Why franchisors must start warning and preparing their franchisees now
8:41 Why Payday Super is being overlooked compared to the Franchise Code changes
9:42 What practical steps businesses should start taking right now
10:38 The ATO shutting down its clearing house and what businesses must replace it with
11:34 Why franchisees and franchisors both carry legal risk after the Bakers Delight case
12:32 Wrap up
 
Franchise Recruitment Marketing - Appear on our Podcasts HERE
 
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YouTube: https://youtu.be/AvuOA9yVAvU
 

Ep153 From Hospitality and Operations to Running a Franchise Region | Urban Clean Gold Coast

Shannon and Jed Stewart are the Regional Master Franchise Owners for Urban Clean on the Gold Coast, but like every franchise partner, their journey started with a single decision to step into business ownership.
 
Coming from very different backgrounds — Jed from mechanical and operations management, and Shannon from hospitality and venue management — they share how their previous careers shaped the way they now think about systems, people, service quality, and customer experience.
 
The conversation covers what it’s really like to run a business as a couple, how they moved from considering property investment into buying a business instead, and why they ultimately chose a commercial cleaning franchise over cafes, gyms, and other options they explored.
 
They also explain how Urban Clean works as a business model, why systems and processes matter more than most new business owners realise, and how franchising can shortcut years of trial-and-error when building a company properly.
 
0:00 Introduction
0:33 What is Urban Clean
1:53 Buying the business and the first two years in operation
3:52 Jed’s career before commercial cleaning
6:47 Returning to Australia and Jed’s career transition
7:46 Shannon’s background in hospitality and management
10:43 What hospitality taught them about cleaning standards
13:44 How Jed and Shannon met
15:34 Balancing family life and business ownership
18:03 The moment they chose business over property
19:32 How they evaluated business opportunities
23:39 Discovering the commercial cleaning opportunity
26:55 The final decision to commit to Urban Clean
29:14 The 10-Year head start you get from franchising
31:07 The growth plan for the Gold Coast Region
31:58 Wrap up
 
Franchise Recruitment Marketing - Appear on our Podcasts HERE
 
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Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/2mdaatf8
Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/3jzpftfz
YouTube: https://youtu.be/DfQ5M6vnBBs

Ep152 Balancing a General Counsel Legal Career with Community Passion Projects | Erin Walford

Erin Walford is a commercial lawyer who walked away from the corporate path and built something completely different.
 
After nearly 20 years in franchising, commercial law, IP and retail including senior roles inside large organisations, Erin hit a career pivot that forced her to ask a bigger question: Am I the CEO of my own life? That moment led to the creation of The Station HQ a commercial law firm, business consultancy, and community space designed around people, not just profit.
 
The Station HQ now operates out of a converted fire station in Brisbane and has become a hub for founders, operators, advisors and fractional professionals who want flexibility, impact, and meaningful work.
 
0:00 Introduction
0:49 Erin’s background in franchising, legal, and ASX-level businesses
1:49 What is The Station HQ
03:43 Why marketing fundamentals still matter more than shiny AI tools
4:59 The rise of flexible legal work and “portfolio careers”
6:56 Fractional legal roles vs traditional law firm models
8:51 The Station HQ: creating a community-driven workspace inside a fire station
10:55 “Uncommon care”: building community, training & collaboration
12:10 Little Stationers: supporting parents in the legal profession
13:42 Isolation, mental health & pressure in high-performance professions
15:03 Why community, belonging and support matter more than ever
16:26 The 1% rule, personal responsibility & how Erin measures impact
17:01 Wrap up
 
Franchise Recruitment Marketing - Appear on our Podcasts HERE
 
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YouTube: https://youtu.be/7sFxkq2covs

Ep151 How a Plumbing Bros Franchisee Built a Multi-Territory Plumbing Business | William Cocks

William Cocks didn’t just move countries — he rebuilt his entire career.
 
After running a plumbing business in South Africa, William moved to Australia, requalified from scratch, and rebuilt his future inside the Plumbing Bros franchise system.
 
Today, he owns the Central Coast and Newcastle territories and is scaling a serious maintenance-focused plumbing business across real estate, government, prisons, and commercial contracts.
 
This conversation breaks down what it really takes to grow a trade business beyond “one-man band” mode: building systems, winning contracts, hiring the right people, and playing the long game with relationships, referrals, and consistency. 
 
William shares the real lessons from moving countries, rebuilding credentials, choosing franchising over going solo, and why business skills often matter more than trade skills.
 
0:00 Introduction
0:24 What does Plumbing Bros do
2:47 From South Africa to Australia: Why William chose Plumbing 
6:04 Getting licensed in Australia (Journeyman → Licensed Plumber)
8:00 Why Plumbing Bros stood out: systems, support & quoting help
10:32 The “Collegiate” advantage of franchising
12:54 Biggest challenge: hiring, staff, and people management
14:10 How William wins work: cold calling, drop-ins, magnets & networking
16:37 Why magnets & flyers work (essential service + top-of-mind)
21:18 Adding Newcastle territory: why it made sense
22:32 Future growth plans and next expansion steps
25:18 Wrap up
 
Franchise Recruitment Marketing - Appear on our Podcasts HERE
 
Listen or Watch on;
 
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Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/38me5rtr
Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/yc3x4c3a
YouTube: https://youtu.be/BNRxVebTWb4
 

Ep150 How Global Franchises Are Evolving (And What Australia Must Learn) | Marcel Lal

Franchise brands around the world are going through a major period of change, and global perspectives are becoming more important than ever for Australian franchisors.
 
Glenn sits down with Marcel Lal, Global COO of InXpress, to explore what franchise brands in Australia can learn from what’s happening in overseas markets, including the US, Europe, and Asia.
 
Drawing on his experience working across multiple regions, Marcel shares how leading franchise networks are modernising their operations, upgrading their support structures, and using technology more intelligently including AI to improve performance and scalability.
 
The conversation covers business modernisation, support office efficiency, people, processes, and platforms, as well as how franchise recruitment, investor behaviour, and the rise of multi-unit, multi-brand operators are shaping the future of franchising.
 
0:00 - Introduction
0:47 - Why global insights matter for Australian franchise brands
2:27 -  Why AI creates urgency and the risk of being left behind
4:04 - How global brands are upgrading support structures
5:15 - How franchise expansion differs globally
8:08 - Who Is Buying Franchises Today? Age, Investor Profiles & Market Differences 
10:37 – Why franchisors must not outgrow their support systems
11:57 – Using compliance to build a stronger franchise system
13:09  - Key takeaways for Australian franchise brands
15:31 - Final wrap-up & closing thoughts
 
Franchise Recruitment Marketing - Appear on our Podcasts HERE
 
Listen or Watch on;
 
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Ep149 How to Grow a Franchise Brand in New Zealand (370+ Franchisees) | Jason Hill

Growing a franchise brand in New Zealand isn’t just about marketing harder, it’s about positioning, trust, and long-term systems.
 
In this episode of Franchise Everything, Glenn sits down with Jason Hill, General Manager of Green Acres and Hire A Hubby NZ, to break down how one of New Zealand’s largest home services franchise groups has grown to 370+ franchisees across lawn & garden, cleaning, and home services. 
 
Jason explains what makes the NZ market uniquely competitive, why brand longevity and scale matter more than ever, and how Green Acres uses partnerships, technology, and sustainability to stay ahead in a crowded category.
 
0:00 Introduction
0:32 Overview of Green Acres & Hire A Hubby NZ
1:25 How the Green Acres franchise system is structured
3:49 How Green Acres attracts new franchise partners
5:48 Turning customers into franchise buyers & resale opportunities
6:56 Resales vs new franchise sales
7:50 North Island vs South Island: population & growth dynamics
10:02 Migrant franchise owners & the role they play in the network
12:00 Growth strategy for the next 12–18 months
 
Franchise Recruitment Marketing - Appear on our Podcasts HERE
 
Listen or Watch on;
 
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YouTube: https://youtu.be/f-C3Gu68OQQ
 

Ep148 What’s Behind Beare Flooring’s Rapid Franchise Growth? | William Beare

William Beare is the founder of Beare Flooring, a mobile flooring franchise that has grown from its first franchisee to 18 active locations in just 20 months. 
 
Built around a low-overhead model with no traditional showrooms, Beare Flooring focuses on removing non-income-producing tasks while giving franchisees the systems, logistics, and support to sell more and operate efficiently.
 
In this episode, William shares why installers are increasingly becoming strong franchise owners, how significant investment in custom software has enabled rapid and scalable growth, and what’s ahead as Beare Flooring expands further across New South Wales and beyond.
 
0:00 Introduction
0:48 From first franchisee to 18 locations in 20 months
1:10 What Beare Flooring is and why the mobile showroom model works
2:27 Fixing the sales vs installer disconnect in flooring
3:57 Why installers are choosing Beare Flooring and what’s attracting them to the model
4:51 How Beare Flooring’s franchise training and recruitment approach has evolved
8:22 Investing heavily in custom software to scale the business
9:13 The role of a flagship showroom and how it fits the national strategy
10:18 How Beare Flooring is approaching expansion into Sydney
11:48 Why Beare Flooring’s mobile franchise model eliminates leases and lowers risk
13:26 What prospective franchisees are really looking for and their biggest frustrations
14:25 How Beare Flooring helps franchisees find customers and stay busy
16:32 How Beare Flooring’s customer profile has evolved as the brand has grown
17:40 The next 12 months for Behr Flooring and where the focus is heading
20:00 Wrap up
 
Podcast Produced by:  www.magneticbusinessmedia.com.au
 
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YouTube: https://youtu.be/emCXO02VhW4
 

Ep147 The Future of Hospitality Technology: 5 Trends Reshaping Restaurants with Tom Elliott

The hospitality industry is moving into a new era and in this episode of Franchise Everything Podcast, Hog’s Breath CEO Tom Elliott breaks down the five biggest tech trends every restaurant, café, and franchise owner needs to prepare for. From robotics in the kitchen to unified data ecosystems, energy sustainability, predictive maintenance, and AI-powered customer experiences, 
 
Tom reveals what he’s seen on his overseas research tours and how these innovations are already reshaping operations globally.
 
Tom also explains how franchise networks can adopt new technology without overwhelming operators, how data will drive smarter decisions, and why brands that embrace tech now will reduce costs, protect margins, and future-proof their restaurants.
 
0:00 Introduction
0:43 Insight #1: Smart kitchens and robotics transforming back-of-house
2:51 What Tom observed during his US research tour
3:16 Insight #2: Building a unified data ecosystem for franchise operations
4:22 Balancing change speed with franchisee adoption and tech relevance
4:56 Insight #3: The shift toward energy sustainability in hospitality
6:43 Insight #4: Predictive maintenance and preventing equipment downtime
8:55 Insight #5: AI-driven customer experience and automation
10:30 Applying global tech insights to the Hog’s Breath dining model
11:43 Testing new technologies in upcoming stores and retrofitting older sites
12:40 Wrap up
 
Podcast Produced by:  www.franchisebusinesshub.com.au
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YouTube: https://youtu.be/aqKim421T4o
 

Ep146 What It’s Really Like Acquiring a Franchise Brand (Lessons from Anya Haywood)

Buying a 30+ year franchise brand sounds exciting but the reality is far more complex. 
 
In this episode of Franchise Everything, Glenn speaks with Anya Haywood, Managing Director of Seal-A-Fridge, about what it truly takes to acquire, stabilise, and modernise a legacy franchise business. From managing franchisee expectations to resisting the urge to make fast changes, Anya reveals why patience, listening, and data-driven decisions matter more than quick wins.
 
Anya also dives into Seal-A-Fridge’s next growth phase — sustainability, corporate accounts, and building long-term franchisee profitability through smarter systems and education. 
 
If you're thinking about buying a franchise brand, leading change in an established network, or scaling a service-based franchise the right way, this episode breaks down the real strategy behind sustainable franchise growth.
 
0:00 Introduction
0:33 Seal-A-Fridge’s 37-year history and franchisee-to-franchisor ownership shift
3:06 Preserving organisational knowledge when acquiring an established brand
5:14 Managing unrealistic franchisee requests while protecting long-term relationships
6:55 The key phases of acquiring a franchise brand and where Seal-A-Fridge sits now
11:19 Moving into product stewardship as a long-term environmental and business focus at the 18-month mark
13:51 Leadership advice for anyone acquiring a franchise brand or stepping into a change mandate 
15:27Wrap up
 
Podcast Produced by:  www.franchisebusinesshub.com.au
 
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Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/2avjpftp
Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/yc7sdx4k
YouTube: https://youtu.be/vNmOAJGS2Uk