Franchise Everything

Ep96 The Poolwerx Franchise Business Model, with Andrew Walker

What if you could own a business where customers always need your service?   Andrew Walker, Chief of Franchise Development at Poolwerx, shares invaluable insights into the company’s proven business model. With over 30 years in the industry, Andrew explains how Poolwerx has evolved from a single-van operation into a scalable franchise powerhouse, blending retail stores, mobile services, and commercial contracts.   Andrew dives deep into the hub-and-spoke system, where franchisees start with mobile vans and expand into retail hubs, supported by data-driven territory mapping.    He also highlights the untapped potential of commercial clients—like hotels, schools, and even jails which provide year-round revenue. For aspiring franchisees, he emphasizes that no prior pool experience is needed, thanks to Poolwerx’s world-class training programs.   This discussion wraps with a look at bigger retail formats, acquisition strategies, and why Poolwerx attracts high-caliber entrepreneurs seeking scalable businesses.    0:00 Intro 1:41 How the hub and spoke model works with storefronts and mobile vans   2:52 A typical day looks like for a franchise owner, from receiving the donuts to decorating in-store 3:04 Tracking pool numbers using aerial photography and spatial data 3:51 Poolwerx journey from mobile vans to the hub and spoke model 4:32 How franchise partners evolve from single vans to expanding their pool business   5:26 Revenue streams for franchise partners: retail, mobile, and commercial   7:10 Securing commercial contracts for local efforts and national support for franchisees   9:25 Training and support for franchise partners in the pool business  11:03 What development season means for the pool business and franchise partners   12:16 Poolwerx approach to finding entrepreneurial franchise owners  13:25 How Poolwerx evolved from a single van to a growing franchise  15:26 Poolwerx territories expanding as pool numbers increase  16:29 What a typical Poolwerx store looks like in each region   17:29 Wrap up   Podcast Produced by:  www.franchisebusinesshub.com.au Listen or Watch on; Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/3hhpwrxb Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/3rf2k322 Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/mrrnjxrb YouTube: https://youtu.be/xaZAAmqeU0M

Ep95 The Walker’s Doughnuts Franchise Business Model, with Jim & Rose Stoupas

What does it take to build a doughnut brand people remember?    Founders Rose and Jim Stupas at their Bendigo Marketplace store share how they built a doughnut franchise that stands out in a crowded market.    With a family history in baking and a focus on centralized production, they’ve created a model that allows franchisees to thrive without needing baking expertise.   They talk about the power of strong branding, the nostalgic Americana theme that captures attention, and their “Three P’s” approach—Product, Position, and People—that keeps everything on track.    This discussion is packed with insights and a clear look at what makes Walker’s Doughnuts more than just a sweet treat.   0:00 Intro 1:10 The simplicity of the business and why it matters for growth, training, and long-term success. 2:52 A typical day looks like for a franchise owner, from receiving the donuts to decorating in-store 4:48 The trial-and-error journey behind developing the recipes 7:40 The three P’s of the Walker’s Doughnuts business and how each one shapes the brand’s success 10:25 The iconic, nostalgic feel behind Walker’s Doughnuts to create a unique and memorable brand 12:36 Positioning the brand in a competitive market by offering unique, high-quality products from proprietary sodas to premium donuts 15:26 Wrap Up   Podcast Produced by:  www.franchisebusinesshub.com.au Listen or Watch on; Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/mukr8yj3 Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/y9jbv654 Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/536axr6x YouTube: https://youtu.be/vGQJ7sQcc6A

Ep94 Franchises MUST do this to grow franchisee sales - direct response marketing, with John Dwyer

Speak to JD directly to help you make more sales! john@theinstituteofwow.com What if you could keep your customers coming back and grow your sales fast – without offering discounts?   John Dwyer, the founder of The Institute of WOW, is a marketing genius focused on customer loyalty and innovative strategies that lead to long-term business growth. With decades of experience, John has guided countless businesses in building strong, lasting relationships with their customers.   In this conversation, John dives into the psychology behind customer behavior and explains how to create experiences that truly resonate. He also discusses how businesses can build customer loyalty without relying on discounts, using emotional connections, storytelling, and psychological triggers to create powerful campaigns.   John shares practical strategies that help turn one-time buyers into loyal, lifelong customers.   0:00 Intro 0:37 The number one thing that drives customer retention and builds customer loyalty 1:53 Secure and distribute holidays as part of reward programs for businesses 3:55 How businesses can use reward programs to offer free holidays to customers 6:28 Using reward programs to drive avalanche sales 8:49 Turning small investments into massive returns with a holiday reward program, which led to sales growth 10:07 How reward vouchers turn a $1000 spend into a dream holiday and give them access to some of the best destinations 13:16 Providing all the necessary collateral and copy to make sure businesses can promote their reward programs effectively 15:49: Surprising customers with rewards to create unforgettable experiences and drive more engagement and loyalty to business 16:04 Wrap Up   Podcast Produced by:  www.franchisebusinesshub.com.au Listen or Watch on; Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/yufkdxr5 Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/2w4wfwyc Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/ktbe69c9 YouTube: https://youtu.be/sJ6zs0zQ9vM

Ep93 Raman Swaminathan, PACK & SEND North Sydney - Multi-Site franchise owner journey

Franchising success isn't about shortcuts, it's built on resilience, customer focus, and the willingness to adapt.    Raman Swaminathan's journey proves that even when starting from scratch, smart strategies and genuine relationships can turn struggles into thriving businesses.   From his early days in India, where he worked as a journalist covering major political events and even rubbed shoulders with Nelson Mandela during a historic cricket tour, to his career in IT and diplomacy, Raman’s story is full of unexpected twists.   When he moved to Australia, he took a big leap into franchising with PACK & SEND, starting with one location and eventually growing to three successful stores.    Along the way, he faced financial struggles, tough decisions, and the challenge of making it all work. But what really stands out is his approach to business: putting customers first, building genuine relationships, and staying adaptable.    0:00 Introduction 0:37 Raman's Upbringing in Calcutta and New Delhi, Multilingual Background, and Education in Commerce and IT 2:22 Transcribing interviews and joining Kapil Dev’s sports media team 4:44 Historic Cricket Tour to Post-apartheid South Africa and Meeting Nelson Mandela 6:26 Raman’s role at the Canadian High Commission and Dutch Embassy after leaving the media 9:50  Moving to Australia in 2004, securing permanent residency, and his early career at IBM 15:10 Raman and his partners explore franchising, and attend expos 19:14 Discovering Pack and Send on the Website 20:50 Challenges of the First Store launching at Greenfield location in North Sydney 25:47 Tough decision to acquire a second store in Crows Nest 27:23 How Raman and his team stabilized their franchises by focusing on customer relationships 28:02 Expanding to a Third Location at the Castle Hill Store 31:10 The Keys to Franchise Success: Customer Service, Personalized Interactions, and Growth from Small Clients 35:54 Wrap Up   Podcast Produced by:  www.franchisebusinesshub.com.au Listen or Watch on; Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/2zmfehud Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/3fkeuwxj Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/mryezat7 YouTube: https://youtu.be/0riD5XLXtg8

Ep92 Putting science behind business decisions with innovative data, with Vanessa Wilmot, MD geotech

Data is the silent powerhouse that fuels strategic decision-making.   In this discussion, we explore the science behind business decisions and how innovative data solutions drive smarter choices with Vanessa Wilmot, MD geotech   Vanessa shares how using innovative data solutions can transform the way businesses operate, helping leaders make smarter and more strategic choices.   From identifying high-potential franchise locations to understanding customer behaviour on a deeper level, she highlights how businesses can use real-time insights to stay ahead of the curve.   She also sheds light on how emerging data sets, such as Mastercard merchant transactions, can provide a competitive edge, helping franchises expand with confidence and precision.   0:00 Introduction 0:29 How important is data? 1:58 Turning data into strategy to stay ahead in business 3:05 Using data to optimise marketing and business growth 3:51 How innovative data and AI help franchisees make smarter decisions 5:10 Using Mastercard merchant data to understand retail activity 6:43 How to get access to Mastercard data 8:08 Using mobile data to understand consumer travel patterns and behaviour 10:29 Common problems in making sense of their data 12:47 Ensuring customer data privacy while staying compliant and protecting information 13:32 Key takeaways   Podcast Produced by: www.franchisebusinesshub.com.au   Listen or Watch on; Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/4x2v9wr4 Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/mt7yhb4j Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/3yusf83m YouTube: https://youtu.be/gKWTY9jGFpw

Ep91 Marco Zahrouni, Houseproud Cleaning, Harrington Park - franchise owner journey

Marco Zahrouni's journey from Iran to Australia is a story of resilience and determination. Facing immense challenges, he navigated a difficult migration path before finding stability and purpose in building his own business.   From working various jobs to eventually running a successful cleaning franchise, his experiences shed light on the realities of starting over in a new country.   In this broad discussion around the brand and business model, Hash Tayeh, CEO, and Tarun Sachdeva, Global Strategy Partner, explain key aspects of the brand in detail.   In this conversation, Marco reflects on the struggles of entrepreneurship, the lessons he learned along the way, and how he adapted to new opportunities. His insights offer a candid look at the challenges of running a business, balancing risk, and the mindset needed to push forward despite obstacles.   0:00 Intro 0:47 Marco Zahrouni, Houseproud Franchise Partner 1:35 Journey from Iran to Australia 4:55 A day-to-day life in the Australian Detention Center 7:27 Exploring different careers, working in a cafe to construction 8:34 Launching his first carpet cleaning business 10:25 Transition from Carpet Cleaning to Houseproud Franchise 12:25 Marco's daily routine and work structure 13:07 Key takeaways in building a sustainable franchise business 14:32 Wrap Up   Podcast Produced by:  www.franchisebusinesshub.com.au Listen or Watch on; Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/3d498vfa Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/35xphf3y Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/4ue5h2rn YouTube: https://youtu.be/kYeLjKH02B0

Ep90 The Seal-A-Fridge franchise business model with Anya Haywood and Adrian Warner

Seal-A-Fridge is a leading franchise specialising in fridge seal replacement and maintenance. With over a decade of experience and a network of franchisees across Australia and New Zealand, Seal-A-Fridge offers a unique business model with low entry costs and no ongoing royalty fees allowing franchisees to maximise their profits and enjoy predictable expenses.   In this discussion with Adrian Warner and Anya Hayward, the franchisors of Seal-A-Fridge, to explore the franchise business model in depth:   Why Seal-A-Fridge removed royalty fees and how it benefits franchisees How low entry costs and mobile workshops make the business easy to set up Managing national accounts and securing work for franchisees The lifestyle flexibility that comes with owning a Seal-A-Fridge franchise Competitive advantages and barriers to entry in the fridge maintenance industry 0:00 Introduction 1:05 Seal-A-Fridge predictable franchise model with no royalties and low costs 3:42 Low entry costs and setting up a Seal-A-Fridge franchise 5:10 How Seal-A-Fridge setup their mobile workshops 8:27 Managing national accounts and expanding into new territories 9:49 Sourcing clients for franchisees through national accounts 12:53 A day in a life of a franchisee and managing work-life balance 15:32 Barriers to entry and competitive advantages in franchising 18:35 Wrap up   Podcast Produced by: www.franchisebusinesshub.com.au Listen or Watch on; Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/yrd79wvc Apple Podcasts: Amazon Music: YouTube: https://youtu.be/0-Sf3gN3PJA

Ep89 The Burgertory Franchise Business Model, with Hash Tayeh & Tarun Sachdeva

Burgertory is a fast growing fast casual burger business currently with 18 locations in Victoria and a location about to open in Sydney, as well as Master Licenses sold internationally.   In this broad discussion around the brand and business model, Hash Tayeh, CEO, and Tarun Sachdeva, Global Strategy Partner, explain key aspects of the brand in detail.   Hash didn’t actually believe in the franchising business model for some time, until he had proven the concept himself with his own corporate stars that he ran for some time.   With a site selection strategy described as ‘tactical site selection’ and placing on the outer edges of shopping centres to increase trading hours and potential, the brand has stores ranging in size from 60m to 200m.   The kitchen is not large, and is importantly not made up of a significant amount of equipment in comparison to other QSR type brands. This keeps space and equipment cost down, and is in line with her production principles of the business.   NSW is a key focus for the brand in 2025, along with international partnerships and master franchisee approaches for other states of Australia.   0:00 Intro 0:46 Describing the Burgertory concept 1:46 Site numbers atm in VIC and internationally happening as well 2:16 Hash didn’t believe in franchising for some time and ran his stores on a corporate basis but adjusted 3:07 Proving the concept before choosing to sell franchised stores 3:50 The customer experience in Burgertory, not just about the burgers 4:42 Engaging architects to help deliver an experience aesthetically in every store 5:37 Every location is a bit different 6:01 The branding and styling of the business that started as a single store in Kew in Melbourne in 2017 7:14 Entry costs in the business and their approach while still maintaining their design philosophy, and even interest free vendor finance for the right people on occasion 9:09 Not a big kitchen and a lot less equipment needed within the business’ commercial kitchen 10:01 The difference of Burgertory (fast casual) v McDonald’s, Hungry Jacks (fast food) and the reduced space needed for smaller production 10:58 Site selection strategy and their ‘tactical site selection’ approach, with stores from 60m all the way up to 200m in size 13:04 Having a store and head office attached to use it as a test store, training and product trial store 13:22 Benchmarking in the industry and the comparison 26-28% in both labour and cot of goods (COGS) 15:25 The future for the brand, key focus in NSW in early 2025 in addition to the international partnerships and master franchisees as brand ambassadors on a state by state basis in Australia 16:37 Boycotts globally are giving opportunities especially in the Middle East for the brand and Tash believes not being discussed enough 17:20 Wrap up Podcast Produced by:  www.franchisebusinesshub.com.au Listen or Watch on; Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/3ya7xb6y Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/yeysacam Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/5n9adkv6 YouTube: https://youtu.be/ltQ-xkKH2BE

Ep88 Brad Sugars, Founder ActionCOACH. Franchise Business Leader

Join us for an enlightening conversation with Brad Sugars, a globally recognised business coach and entrepreneur.    From winning a Rotary Youth Leadership Award at 16 to founding  ActionCOACH, a business coaching franchise spanning 83 countries, Brad's journey is a testament to his entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to helping businesses thrive.   He's also an author, with 18 books on business, investing, and wealth creation, including four international bestsellers.   In this discussion, Brad shares valuable insights on sales, marketing, and building a scalable business.   0:00 Intro 0:50 Brad Sugars background and how he started in business 2:57 Why every business needs to be on YouTube and social media 3:59 Importance of social proof and customer reviews in a business 5:15 The fun element in a business and company culture 6:05 Brad Sugars Journey from Rotary to Business 6:55 How ActionCOACH started and evolved 9:16 Building a business as a sellable asset 12:05 The turning point from speaking to starting ActionCOACH 13:43 Expanding ActionCOACH from Australia to Global Markets 17:19 Jim Rohns influence on personal and business growth success 20:09 Brad sugars formula for success: dream, goal, learn, plan, act 24:00 Focuses on harmonizing work and personal life over balance 25:50 What's the difference between a millionaire and a billionaire 26:34 How Brad Sugars chooses business to invest in 27:20 Brad Sugars' daily habits and routines 29:35 Brad's three big projects over the next few years 31:33 The 4 key responsibilities of a CEO 32:45 The Role of AI and its impact on Business Growth 34:24 The importance of constant innovation in business 35:23 Wrap up Podcast Produced by: ⁠The Franchise Business HUB⁠ Listen or Watch on; Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/4ek282j7 Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/muczj5xn Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/24v9nda6 YouTube: https://youtu.be/O_ARKw5wTHY

Ep87 Nic Brill, Poolwerx, CEO. Franchise Business Leader

Nic Brill, Poolwerx, CEO shares his remarkable journey from leading junior swimmer in South Africa, to the top of a leading franchise business.  Hear how his various background, from competitive swimming to FMCG, influences his leadership at Poolwerx. Discover the company's vision for international expansion, its commitment to franchisee success, and its unique approach to the pool and spa service market. Before leading Poolwerx, Nic honed his skills in FMCG, working for industry giants like Nestlé. Nic learned the importance of discipline, perseverance, and pushing beyond his limits qualities that continue to shape his leadership style today. He reveals how the company is revolutionising the pool industry. From its innovative franchise model to its dedication to providing exceptional customer experiences, Poolwerx is focused on setting a new standard for excellence.  Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a franchise enthusiast, or simply curious about the journey of a dynamic CEO, this episode offers a wealth of insights and inspiration. 0:00 Intro 2:20 Moved to London in 2005 and worked in FMCG 2:53 Nic's background in sales and marketing in South Africa 3:38 The challenge of selling paper as a commodity 7:20 Nic's challenges finding a job when moving to London 9:27 The swimming background and achievements 13:54 Nestle as a massive global business 15:45 Responsibilities in brand management and innovation in Nestle 22:33 Moving from Melbourne to Gold Coast for a better lifestyle 24:46 Transition into franchising at Crust Gourmet Pizza and first exposure to the franchise business model 27:10 Balancing brand management with supporting franchisees 31:57 Franchising challenges across different countries 32:59 The global perception of Australian franchising 33:57 International Gloria Jeans role and transition to Poolwerx opportunity 36:12 Nic's initial role at Poolwerx as COO 38:26 The initial conversation with John O'Brien, founder of Poolwerx where the opportunity to become COO was presented 39:54 Exploration of potential expansion of Poolwerx into other countries 42:35 Involvement on the board of the Franchise Council of Australia (FCA) 43:48 Wrap-up   Podcast Produced by: The Franchise Business HUB Listen or Watch on; Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/3zbz3e4s Apple Podcasts:  https://tinyurl.com/bdhndu9e Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/4sry54wx YouTube: https://youtu.be/2DX5u2P_U9k