What’s New

what’snew!

Lukumades Greek douGhnuts ROLLS ONTO THE WORLD

When you’re known world-wide for slinging Greek doughnuts this good, not even a global pandemic can keep thousands of loyal customers apart from their favourite Lukumades or stop Australia’s much-loved franchise from bringing its unique brand of Greek doughnuts to a global audience.

Such is the faith that Lukumades founder, Exarhos Sourligas, otherwise known as Mr ‘X’, has in his Greek doughnuts with a modern twist, that Lukumades has not only continued to keep all of its Australian stores open throughout the pandemic, but also launched the first of five stores in Indonesia in September 2020 to critical acclaim. In the Melbourne and Sydney stores, the pandemic hit hard in early 2020 with the loss of up to 70-80% foot traffic due to lockdown restrictions. However, thanks to Lukumades’ army of hungry fans and pivoting the business to food delivery platforms alongside its bricks and mortar stores, Lukumades remains one of Australia’s biggest success stories.

The next Australian store to open will be Roxburgh Park, in Melbourne’s north in early 2021, followed by more openings across Melbourne and Sydney later in the year. The new store will join national offerings in West Melbourne, Windsor and Carlton in Victoria and Chippendale in New South Wales. Despite challenging times, the brand has no plans to slow down and will continue growing across Australia and the international market in 2021 and beyond.

https://www.lukumades.co/

IWG OPENS ITS FIRST FLEXIBLE WORKING SPACE IN NORTH QUEENSLAND

IWG, the world’s leader of flexible workspaces, has opened a new Regus centre in Townsville, Queensland. The Regus office is the first of 10 ‘flexspaces’ centres as part of IWG’s franchise with the Adams Group in September 2020.

It will extend IWG’s footprint into areas where demand for flexible office space among local businesses and entrepreneurs is increasing. The total area for the centre is 700sqm+ with several 2, 4, 6+ workstation offices available to lease. The first customers commenced moving into the centre in June. Life Legal, a Family Law firm based in Townsville, was one of the first businesses to move into the space. Kerrie Stuart and Natasha Busby were looking for a modern, easy to get to office space that had all the amenities.

“Regus was a perfect fit for us,” said Kerrie Stuart. “Our employees are looking forward to enjoying the flexibility offered by Regus within this brand-new centre.”

“The franchise concept offers our partners the unique opportunity to make an attractive, high-yield investment with the know-how of the market leader and their local expertise,” said Mark Bhardwaj, IWG’s Head of Partnership Growth in Australia and New Zealand. “We want to create a true global and national network – and that’s where franchising comes in. The market is moving fast. We need to move faster and faster, and we want to find franchise partners who can help us dial up the pace of the growth of our brands,” he said.

https://franchise.iwgplc.com/en-gb

AUSSIE PRINT ICON TO RELEASE snaP PrInt-onLIne

Snap Print and Design has launched Snap Print-Online, providing SNAP customers with access to DIY graphic design technology - powered by Canva - and supported by local Snap Centre expertise, convenience and speed of service.

Renowned as the market leader in the ‘bricks and mortar’ delivery of print services for well over the past century, SNAP has made the move online to open new markets for their 130+ SNAP franchise owners and meet the preferences of the modern print buyer. “SNAP is a unique business, made up of over a hundred small business owners, many who have held Snap Centres in the same location for over 20 years,” said Richard Thame, CEO of Snap Franchising Ltd. “The digital environment is an important part of Snap Franchising’s future.” The partnership with SNAP is also a world first for Canva, making it the first partnership for the now $20 billion valued tech unicorn with a franchise business.

Describing Snap Print-Online as an integrated design-to-print solution, SNAP’s Chief Growth Officer Sonia Shwabsky said that customers can now work with SNAP however and whenever they choose, online 24/7, or directly with their local Snap Centre in-person or over the phone. “That is the SNAP difference: high quality, world leading technology backed by support from SNAP’s locally based print and design experts, providing our customers with the best of both worlds,” she said.

https://printonline.snap.com.au

Laser CLInICs OPENS FIRST CLINIC IN ASIA

Laser Clinics, the world’s leading provider of advanced aesthetic treatments, backed by global investment firm KKR, has expanded its global network by entering a partnership with Privé Clinic, one of Singapore’s most renowned and highquality aesthetics clinics.

The newly rebranded Laser Clinics Singapore at Privé on Orchard Road will offer clients the latest treatments in skin, body, cosmetic injectables and laser hair removal at affordable and transparent prices, with best-in-class care and effective results.

Laser Clinics chief executive officer John Veitch said the launch provides a pathway for further expansion into Asia. “There is untapped potential for a global leader like Laser Clinics to enter the Asian market with a truly tailored offering. This partnership offers us a flagship presence in Singapore, combining in-depth knowledge of the diverse Asian customer profile with the global scale and deep experience of the leader in non-invasive aesthetics”.

Since opening its first clinic in 2008 in Australia, Laser Clinics has expanded rapidly to meet the growing demand from its clients in Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. The company currently operates more than 165 clinics.

what’snew!

STYLED FOR SUCCESS WITH PrICe attaCk APPRENTICESHIP

At 20 years of age, Alyssa Nolan is no stranger to overcoming obstacles. The Queenslander is a medical miracle. Born cojoined at the head with her sister Bethany, she survived a marathon operation, ordered by the Supreme Court in 2001, to separate the twins.

Bethany lost her battle five minutes after being separated from her sister. At only 23 days old, Alyssa’s life hung in the balance: the twins had shared 10cm of skull and some brain tissue and cranial draining veins. With only one kidney, and suffering two cardiac arrests during the risky surgery, Alyssa was left with a 30cm open cavity in her skull where Bethany used to lie.

But since then, Alyssa has continued to thrive, determined to live her best life twice, always remembering her sister. Two weeks ago, Queensland’s The Courier Mail shared Alyssa’s latest battle – finding a job. “I am a caring giving person… I was given the most amazing chance at life and now I just want to live it like any other young woman,” Alyssa told The Courier-Mail. “I have a mild intellectual disability, but it doesn’t stop me working hard. I just might take a little bit longer to learn new things.” When Price Attack CEO John Pascoe read the story, his team sprang to work. Together with Corinne Baker, Business Development Manager Corporate Stores, they reached out to Alyssa. “When we saw Alyssa’s story in the paper, we straight away thought about the best way to help,” said Ms Baker. “Hairdressing is a skill you can take with you, wherever you choose to live. All of our salons aim to be inclusive whether you are an employee or a customer. For example, a new Price Attack salon opening in Sydney soon is introducing quiet times for adults or children with autism to have their hair cut in an environment where they feel safe and calm. Similarly, they will introduce other private spaces where women can remove their hijabs for a treatment.” “Bethany is always in my heart, she’s always with me and I want to live a good life to honour her,” said Alyssa. “Now I have my chance.”

Over the past three years, Paint and Sip Studios has been busy analysing opportunities in the art events market to develop a business that enhances the lives of its franchisees as well as its customers.

PaInt and sIP studIos IS MAKING ITS MARK

“The paint and sip industry has really taken off within the last three years, creating a totally new avenue for social interaction,” said founder and franchisor Kathy Chalker. “We first saw the industry exploding in the US market and knew it would be perfect for Australia.”

This consumer demand led to a business opportunity for Kathy, who first launched her business as a mobile operation in 2018 before opening her first studio in Newcastle, New South Wales, that same year. Since then, Kathy has opened a second studio in Penrith, with franchise studios Rockhampton and Liverpool launching soon after. “Expanding Paint and Sip Studios is something I am extremely passionate about and franchising is such a natural pathway to grow a business. It also doesn’t require anyone to be naturally artistic, just enthusiastic about providing 5-star experience. “As a franchise business, our philosophy is about making our customers feel good and providing a memorable art event experience through simple, special moments regardless of the occasion.”

Siva Kamma, franchisee of Paint and Sip Studios, Liverpool said: “During a time of uncertainty, we found ourselves in a position where we needed a source of stable income and an opportunity to manage our own careers. Paint and Sip studios equipped us with the tools to create an experience for customers that was second to none while also giving us the chance to grow our business,” she said.

https://paintandsipstudios.com.au/

RENOWNED stretChLab FranChIse ARRIVES IN AUSTRALIA

Having taken America by storm, one-on-one assisted stretching brand, StretchLab, is now set to arrive in Australia.

Boutique Fitness Studios, the Master Franchise Ownership group behind CycleBar, have partnered with former AFL player Tory Dickson and professional cricketer James Pattinson to bring StretchLab, a unique assisted stretching franchise, Down Under. The franchise will cater to the growing demand for wellness services, which has seen a worldwide surge following the coronavirus pandemic. Owned by Xponential Fitness, a curator of leading boutique fitness brands, StretchLab has become one of the group’s fastest-growing brands over the last three years, with more than 300 studio franchises awarded.

The concept offers customised assisted stretch sessions with trained Flexologists® who are trained in StretchLab’s proprietary material. The sessions provide an easy, quick and much-needed solution to the growing awareness among consumers for the importance of recovery to everyone – regardless of how active they are. Matt Gordin, CEO of Boutique Fitness Studios, immediately recognised StretchLab as an exciting business model and an affordable entry into franchise ownership for Australians. “The unique beauty of this concept is that it complements almost every other fitness brand out there. It’s adding value rather than creating competition. The franchise opportunity is an affordable, scalable way for entrepreneurs of all types to bring a proven and sustainable business model to their market. It also aligns perfectly with our ethos to encourage fluid mobility and positive energy and wellbeing in the community. It hits the target in every way,” he said.

www.stretchlab.com.au/franchise

FRANCHISE SECTOR WELCOMES REFORM OUTCOMES

Australia’s peak industry association for the franchising sector has welcomed the Franchising Code of Conduct reforms announced by the Federal Government.

“Given the dramatic impacts of COVID on small businesses across Australia, we are reassured by the Federal Government’s approach to introducing the changes in the context of today’s economic reality,” said Franchise Council of Australia CEO Mary Aldred. “The past eighteen months has proved to be the most difficult economic environment Australian businesses have ever experienced. The FCA was wary of further business failures that may arise where there are rapid or overly punitive regulatory obligations.” “We appreciate that the government appears to have taken into account the significant reforms already introduced by the FCA in response to the issues raised through the 2018 parliamentary inquiry into the franchise code of conduct and subsequent taskforce.” “The FCA consulted extensively with franchisor and franchisee members as part of the industry consultation process. This included the FCA’s Policy Advisory Committee, a group comprising franchisors, franchisees and advisers, and the FCA’s Franchisee Advisory Committee. In addition, the FCA’s Legal Committee, representing the majority of specialist franchise lawyers in Australia, was asked to provide feedback on any potential excessive compliance costs or unintended consequences” said Ms Aldred.

www.franchise.org.au