Franchise Everything

James Lethborg is the franchise owner of Hog’s Breath Café Launceston.With a lifelong passion for food, shaped by his family’s farming and cooking traditions in Tasmania, James built his career as a chef across hospitals, hotels, and restaurants before stepping into the Hog’s Breath brand.
 
Starting in 2013 as head chef for the Launceston restaurant, he played a key role in its early success. Five years later, through a rare succession plan, James transitioned into franchise ownership.
 
The move from kitchen to ownership brought new challenges in finance, people management, and leadership, but also the chance to shape a culture built on what Hog’s Breath calls “HogsPitality.”
 
James now balances operations between the kitchen and front of house, while mentoring his team and ensuring customers feel the brand’s trademark energy. With nearly a decade as a franchise owner, he’s now setting his sights on multi-location growth, driven by systems, trust, and a commitment to hospitality at the core.
 
0:00 Introduction
0:43 Where James’ business journey began
3:33 The hardest part of being a chef
5:32 How Hogs Breath first came on the horizon 
7:53 Knowing the opportunity to become a franchise owner at Hogs Breath 
9:09 The transition from head chef to franchise owner with full support
11:38 Challenges in stepping up from chef to franchise owner
12:58 Finding balance between kitchen and operations
14:05 What a typical day looks like as a franchise owner
17:13 The critical success factors in running a Hogs Breath franchise
19:07 Finding the right personality during staff interviews
19:49 Future plans for Hogs Breath Launceston 
22:31 Wrap up
 
Podcast Produced by:  www.franchisebusinesshub.com.au
 
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Joel Kleber is the Chief Marketing Officer of Jim’s Group, Australia’s largest franchise network. Since 2019, Joel has led the brand’s content-driven growth strategy, transforming dormant social accounts into a powerful media engine.
 
With a background in content and marketing, Joel built a team that consistently produces authentic video across YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, and TikTok — from franchisee stories to founder-led Q&As. This approach has doubled network growth in just five years, positioning Jim’s Group as a standout in franchise marketing.
 
Passionate about the power of storytelling, Joel champions founder branding and long-form content as the new trust engine for franchisors. His work demonstrates how consistency, transparency, and a willingness to embrace new media can fuel both recruitment and brand equity.
 
0:00 Introduction
1:13 Starting point in 2019 — the content base Jim’s Group began with
2:33 Creating a content plan across multiple divisions
4:15 When the content strategy began showing measurable impact 
7:01 Leveraging the founder’s story to drive franchise growth
9:24 Breaking the stigma around self-promotion with authentic content
11:12 Posting frequency and consistency in content strategy
12:35 Why personal profiles outperform company pages on LinkedIn
14:12 Overcoming content struggles – finding topics for consistent posting 
17:25 Turning negative comments into trust-building opportunities
20:50 Advice for franchisors on content production and launching a strategy
23:03 Wrap up
 
Podcast Produced by:  www.franchisebusinesshub.com.au
 
Listen or Watch on;
 
Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/ymxsfjw9
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YouTube: https://youtu.be/1oKNZromSQo
 

Felipe Gama is the franchise owner of Sushi Sushi in Dunsborough, Western Australia, with a second store soon to open in Margaret River. Originally from Brazil, Felipe moved to Australia in 2018 to study cookery and built his career working in kitchens across Melbourne and regional WA.
 
With years of experience as a chef, he developed a passion for fresh, high-quality food but also recognised the challenges of long hours and demanding shifts. When planning for a family, Felipe sought a business opportunity that aligned with his skills while allowing more balance and lifestyle flexibility.
 
Discovering Sushi Sushi provided the perfect fit. The franchise model offered structure, training, and support while giving him the chance to run his own business in a growing regional community. From overcoming early challenges with team building to engaging with locals through sponsorships and community ties, Felipe has embraced the role of business owner with enthusiasm.
 
Now preparing to expand into multi-store ownership, Felipe continues to combine his passion for food with the drive to build sustainable businesses rooted in both family and community.
 
0:00 Introduction
0:45 Felipe's franchise journey beginnings — from Brazil to Australia
2:12 Studying cookery in Australia and gaining qualifications
3:56 Facing and overcoming early language barriers
4:34 Favorite cuisine to cook and personal passion for Italian food
5:46 Career progression after qualification and early experiences in Australian kitchens
6:48 The transition from Victoria to Western Australia
8:51 Working as a chef after relocating and running a kitchen for over two years
9:18 Shifting from chef life to business ownership to align with family goals
11:03 Discovering a gap in the market and finding the right franchise opportunity with sushi sushi 
13:49 Addressing stereotypes in sushi franchising and why passion matters more than background
15:27 Overcoming the biggest challenges of starting a franchise business
16:36 Deciding to expand with a second store
18:04 Building management teams to balance growth and lifestyle
19:37 Opportunities and challenges in regional markets
20:56 Keys to local success with Sushi Sushi 
22:33 Wrap up
 
Podcast Produced by: www.franchisebusinesshub.com.au
 
Listen or Watch on;
 
Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/cb4822n9
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YouTube: https://youtu.be/p_9t7i9e8eI

Jim and Rose Stoupas are the founders of Walkers Doughnuts, a brand built on family heritage, food innovation, and a passion for creating memorable customer experiences.
 
With a long family history in baking and a strong connection to nostalgic Australian culture, they transformed childhood memories of donuts and milk bars into a thriving franchise model. From the beginning, their vision was clear to combine authentic products, a unique environment, and strong franchise systems to stand out in the market.
 
Key milestones in their journey include moving production offsite to ensure quality and consistency, expanding interstate with dedicated area developers, and keeping product innovation at the heart of the brand. 
 
Today, Jim and Rose continue to grow Walkers Doughnuts nationally while staying true to their philosophy: create products people love, design stores that feel special, and leave every customer just a little happier than when they walked in.
 
0:00 Introduction
0:38 Origin story of Walker's Doughnuts
3:59 How the store environment shapes the Walkers experience
5:26 Maintaining the Walkers environment through franchisee training and store immersion
7:22 The role of offsite manufacturing in Walkers’ growth and efficiency
9:31 Expansion into Queensland through an area developer model
12:22 Commitment to product quality and uniqueness as a cornerstone of growth 
14:41 Blending brand passion with food technology where art meets science
16:03 - The significance of trademarking and why it mattered for Walkers
17:10 Wrap up
 
Podcast Produced by: www.franchisebusinesshub.com.au
 
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Varun Ashok is the founder of Mobile Experts, one of Australia’s fastest-growing mobile repair and accessory retailers.   Growing up in India, he spent his teenage years working in the family business before moving to Australia in 2007 to pursue a Masters in International Business. His early days saw him balancing studies with jobs at Pizza Hut and Vodafone, with no set plan beyond working hard and embracing new opportunities.   In 2013, Varun opened his first store in Wetherill Park, overcoming challenges with landlords and fit-outs to establish a strong customer base. His focus on providing the right product at the right price with genuine customer service set him apart and led to early profitability.   From a single store, Varun quickly scaled to 12 locations in Sydney, and over the years, expanded to more than 60 stores nationwide. Along the way, he shifted from instinctive, ‘seat-of-the-pants’ decision-making to building systems, training teams, and developing a long-term vision for growth.   Today, Mobile Experts continues to expand under his leadership, built on a foundation of innovation, people management, and customer focus with Varun shaping not only the business, but also the future of franchising in the mobile services industry.   0:00 Introduction 0:41 What Mobile Experts does 1:38 Varun’s personal background and life back in India 3:37 Varun’s family business in India 7:25 Transition after school and progression in the family business before moving to Australia 14:35 Arrival in Australia and first job experience 16:25 Early plans in Australia, studies, first jobs, and future expectations  19:07 Progression from early jobs to discovering entrepreneurial drive 27:29 Overcoming landlord challenges during kiosk fit-out 28:45 Opening the Wetherill Park kiosk and differences in trading between India and Australia 31:36 Standing out early and achieving profitability faster than expected 33:03 Expanding beyond the first store and the vision for adding more locations 40:20 Scaling from 12 stores in Sydney to 60+ nationwide through strong team management 41:55 Growing to 25 stores without a set plan and continuing expansion after partnership changes 45:27 Decision-making process on future growth and long-term planning 51:56 Wrap Up   Podcast Produced by:  www.franchisebusinesshub.com.au   Listen or Watch on; Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/2nb3ec8k Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/yv43zf5k Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/nh2w7v94 YouTube: https://youtu.be/0xPB8cbCTg4

Phil Cronin and Darren Schultz co-founded Stellarossa in 2009, starting as a small espresso bar in Brisbane City before growing it into a well-recognised cafe brand across Queensland. Today, Stellarossa operates with three main models — kiosks, traditional cafes, and drive-throughs each adapted to suit local communities.   With a focus on flexibility, the brand’s menu system combines core items with elective options, allowing franchisees to tailor their offerings to regional tastes while maintaining consistency. Their franchise model features competitive fees, strong supplier partnerships, and encouragement of local sourcing to strengthen community connections.   Phil and Darren also emphasise the importance of store design innovation, giving each cafe its own identity while keeping the Stellarossa brand thread intact. A standout growth strategy is their concept of “Stellarizing” rebranding existing independent cafes into the Stellarossa system to lower entry costs and accelerate expansion.   Built on innovation, operational support, and a people-first approach, Stellarossa continues to evolve its franchise business model, creating opportunities for both franchise partners and local communities.   0:00 Introduction 1:03 Overview of the Stellarossa brand 2:47 The three main store models in Stellarossa 3:58 Managing menu variations across different Stellarossa store models 5:45 Coordinating menu rollouts with franchisees through core items and elective choices 8:26 Managing costs, margins, and franchise fee structure across menu items  10:14: Relationships with shopping centres and support for local stores 11:41 Typical menu size per store and elective menu options 13:04 Head office supply of coffee products and contracted bulk suppliers through PFD 15:23 Store design and innovation 18:07 The concept of “Stellarize” and its role in innovation 22:42 Wrap up   Podcast Produced by: www.franchisebusinesshub.com.au Listen or Watch on; Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/pn8xcfp2 Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/k23eu2w8 Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/mwk2wzmz YouTube: https://youtu.be/gzfssbsIDGQ  

Tom Elliott, CEO, and Alison Ossendryver, COO, are steering Hogs Breath Café through a period of renewal after challenging years for the industry. With Tom just four months into the role, the brand is seeing green shoots of recovery, including double-digit same-store sales growth, and is focused on capturing market share through strategic planning into FY26.   Leveraging a new centralised data dashboard, they’re enabling franchisees to benchmark performance, identify trends, and collaborate on solutions that lift profitability across the network.    Alison, with over two decades in the business, highlights the evolution of training programs, operational efficiencies, and technology adoption all while keeping the signature prime rib at the heart of the menu.   Hog's Breath offers a flexible ownership model, welcoming both hands-on operators and investors, supported by tailored franchise and manager training programs. Looking ahead, the brand is investing in tech integration, kitchen and roster management tools, and a bar-led revival to boost beverage sales and enhance the customer experience, positioning itself for sustainable growth in a competitive market.   0:00 Introduction 0:27 Hog's Breath challenges in recent years 1:42 Rolling out growth plans with a focus on unit economics and top-line sales performance 3:50 Using system-wide data and rankings to drive collaboration, problem-solving, and improved franchise profitability 6:22 Evolving menu and preparation methods while maintaining prime rib as the brand’s signature offering  8:32 Flexible training programs tailored to prior experience, ensuring franchise partners start strong 10:40 Overview of franchise entry costs and ongoing fee structure 14:35 Free six-week manager training program combining hands-on, online learning, and ongoing support 15:37 Consistent communication approach with both investors and owner-operators, focusing on the people-first principle 17:08 Future vision for Hog’s Breath with tech integration and a bar-led revival to boost beverage sales 19:32 Wrap up   Podcast Produced by:  www.franchisebusinesshub.com.au   Listen or Watch on; Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/cpv6cpzv Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/mu28sxm8 Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/4p835hed YouTube: https://youtu.be/27PkOWiSU8M

Shirley Chan is the first-ever franchise owner of HIIT Pilates, launching her studio in Surry Hills while still working full-time as a chartered accountant.
 
With a background in finance and international experience in Toronto and London, Shirley never imagined she’d find herself in the fitness industry, let alone owning a Pilates studio. But a long-standing connection with HIIT Pilates founder Carla Sconce, and a personal decision to try something new, set her on a very different path.
 
After completing the HIIT Pilates Academy training, Shirley began teaching on weekends while juggling her demanding career. What started as a side interest soon evolved into a serious conversation about franchising. Over the course of a year, she and Carla worked through the details, location, setup, support and eventually launched the first HIIT Pilates franchise in early January 2025.
 
In this episode, Shirley shares the full journey from training and startup challenges to marketing her studio, building community, and learning on the fly. She talks openly about time management, the benefits of a franchise model, and her long-term vision to grow into multiple studios with a strong team around her.
 
This is a real and relatable story about starting something new, backed by belief, structure, and plenty of late nights.
 
0:00 Introduction
1:14 What is HIIT Pilates
2:43 How Shirley discovered Pilates and met Carla Sconce, the founder
5:37 Studying commerce, becoming a chartered accountant, and moving abroad to Toronto and London
8:32 Discovering the HIIT Pilates Academy on Facebook and signing up to become an instructor while working full-time
11:12 Becoming an instructor without a set plan and how Carla’s support built her teaching confidence
13:51 Sharing her dream of owning a studio on day one of training and balancing teaching with a full-time career
16:36 No franchising background, learning the ropes, and a year-long conversation with Carla before opening her studio
18:30 Balancing full-time work with running a business and the importance of support from Carla and family
20:08 Benefits of franchising versus starting from scratch and the journey to finding the right studio location
24:25 Finding a creative outlet through marketing and building community in the studio
26:10 Shirley's vision for the future, growing to multiple studios and building a strong team
27:12 Wrap up
 
Podcast Produced by: www.franchisebusinesshub.com.au
 
Listen or Watch on;
 
Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/2rwu2sb4
Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/2ks9e8hv
Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/y52428k4
YouTube: https://youtu.be/ifboXH9QUCI

Chey Simpson is a franchise partner of Urban Clean in North Brisbane. Originally from the Philippines, Chey moved to Australia in 2018 and began her journey working in a small embroidery business. Despite being closely connected to Urban Clean, her husband Kirk is the General Manager, she initially lacked the confidence to run a business of her own.   Over time, exposure to the business and encouragement from her husband sparked the belief that she could do it. In 2020, Chey took on her own Urban Clean franchise, starting with no cleaning experience and just a few contracts. She handled most of the work herself in the early stages, gradually building confidence through direct customer interaction and learning from her mistakes.   Today, Chey manages a growing commercial cleaning business with over $20,000 in monthly contracts and a reliable team of cleaners. She plays an active role in operations, customer service, and quality control, while also managing additional income through supply logistics.   Looking ahead, Chey aims to double or triple the size of her business, expand her team, and eventually step back from the day-to-day operations. Her story is one of determination, steady growth, and belief in following the systems that support franchise success.   0:00 Introduction 2:35 Chey's first impression in Australia 3:54 Speaking English was the hardest part of Chey when moving to Australia 5:18 Worked in an embroidery business before starting with Urban Clean 7:42 Started the business with doubts, no cleaning experience, and only a few clients 8:34 The hardest adjustment when starting the Urban Clean franchise and learning the business 9:48 The key elements to success in an urban cleaning franchise 10:44 Transitioning from doing the cleaning to managing a team and gaining more time off 11:58 What Chey’s day looks like with a growing team and over $20,000 in contracts 13:46 Chey’s growth plans for Urban Clean, and when to bring in more staff as contract volume increases 15:40 Typical workday hours in an Urban Clean commercial franchise 17:52 Advice on what it takes to be successful in an Urban Clean commercial cleaning franchise 19:23 Wrap up   Podcast Produced by:  www.franchisebusinesshub.com.au   Listen or Watch on; Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/4cz3y3t9 Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/vj4xrwab Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/4eaz3zb6 YouTube: https://youtu.be/VKTDqNyD6-M  

Shirley Chan is the first-ever franchise owner of HIIT Pilates, launching her studio in Surry Hills while still working full-time as a chartered accountant.   With a background in finance and international experience in Toronto and London, Shirley never imagined she’d find herself in the fitness industry, let alone owning a Pilates studio. But a long-standing connection with HIIT Pilates founder Carla Sconce, and a personal decision to try something new, set her on a very different path.   After completing the HIIT Pilates Academy training, Shirley began teaching on weekends while juggling her demanding career. What started as a side interest soon evolved into a serious conversation about franchising. Over the course of a year, she and Carla worked through the details, location, setup, support and eventually launched the first HIIT Pilates franchise in early January 2025.   In this episode, Shirley shares the full journey from training and startup challenges to marketing her studio, building community, and learning on the fly. She talks openly about time management, the benefits of a franchise model, and her long-term vision to grow into multiple studios with a strong team around her.   This is a real and relatable story about starting something new, backed by belief, structure, and plenty of late nights.   0:00 Introduction 1:14 What is HIIT Pilates 2:43  How Shirley discovered Pilates and met Carla Sconce, the founder 5:37 Studying commerce, becoming a chartered accountant, and moving abroad to Toronto and London 8:32 Discovering the HIIT Pilates Academy on Facebook and signing up to become an instructor while working full-time 11:12 Becoming an instructor without a set plan and how Carla’s support built her teaching confidence 13:51 Sharing her dream of owning a studio on day one of training and balancing teaching with a full-time career 16:36 No franchising background, learning the ropes, and a year-long conversation with Carla before opening her studio 18:30 Balancing full-time work with running a business and the importance of support from Carla and family 20:08 Benefits of franchising versus starting from scratch and the journey to finding the right studio location 24:25 Finding a creative outlet through marketing and building community in the studio 26:10 Shirley's vision for the future, growing to multiple studios and building a strong team 27:12 Wrap up   Podcast Produced by:  www.franchisebusinesshub.com.au   Listen or Watch on; Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/2rwu2sb4 Apple Podcasts:  Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/y52428k4 YouTube: https://youtu.be/ifboXH9QUCI