MORE THAN WINDOW SHOPPING
Cafes, fast food, home services, finance, health and fitness... there are plenty of business ideas to motivate and inspire at the Franchising & Business Opportunities Expo being held over two cities.
What’s coming up at the Brisbane and Melbourne franchising expos?
New franchise concepts are on show at the two expos, in Brisbane in July and in Melbourne in August. They offer access to emerging and established, local, national and multinational brands as well as the opportunity to learn from industry experts. Business models new to franchising include the mobile Peddler Cafe, Simply Bond Cleaning and the Healthy Inspirations’ weight-loss support franchise, which will feature at the Brisbane show.
OsteoStrong and Harness Training health-and-safety training will be introducing their brands at both events. Also attending will be such household names
as Aussie, Clark Rubber, Jim’s Group,
MBE and Poolwerx. Fast-food stalwart Subway, which made its Australian debut at the Franchising Expo in the 1990s, will be showcasing its new “Fresh Forward” design.
“In light of recent publicity about franchisors who are not doing the right thing by their franchisees, it is more important than ever to meet the people behind the brands, ask the hard questions and talk to franchisees as well,” says exhibition manager Fiona Stacey.
“It’s a matter of finding the right people to help you on your journey, be they franchisors, lawyers, consultants, accountants or other advisers. All those people are available at the expo, and more than willing to answer questions.”
SERIOUS BUSINESS
Entering a franchise agreement is a serious business and should not be undertaken lightly, says Stacey. “It is crucial you do extensive research on any franchise you are looking at,” she says. “The Franchising Expo is a great place to start, or dig deeper into a concept you are considering.”
Melbourne’s expo is traditionally the biggest of the year, and will once again be a highlight of the Victorian Small Business Festival.
As well as meeting people behind the brands, visitors can take advantage of the free seminars that run across the two-day events. “The seminars are an important feature,” Stacey says. “We aim for a broad range of speakers and topics, with general overviews on the benefits of franchising as well as more detailed topics such as legal and financial issues.”
A panel session gives potential franchisees the chance to learn about the reality of working with a franchisor and running your own franchise outlet. Franchisees from different brands will share their personal stories and offer tips and advice.
Stacey says the founder of Jim’s Mowing, Jim Penman, will be a keynote speaker at both expos.
“Jim is an Aussie icon who turned his lawn-mowing job as a student into one of the most successful franchises in the world. That’s the power of franchising for you.”
It is crucial you do extensive research on any franchise you are looking at. The Franchising Expo is a great place to start, or dig deeper into a concept you are
considering.