FRANCHISEE TESTIMONIALS
Pia O'Neill
Frontline Hospitality Queensland, South Australia & Northern Territory
When business took a dive during Covid, within a week Pia’s business was closed. However, despite juggling all the challenges of the pandemic, a new baby and a new franchisor, she reports that now business has never been better!
Pia has been with FRG 16 years, starting as a parttime receptionist for a franchisee. She purchased her first store at 26 in Brisbane and then formed the Queensland Hospitality division, added in North Queensland, and five years ago ventured into the Northern Territory and South Australia.
The hospitality sector has been badly hit by the pandemic, she admits.
“Covid was really harsh. My business closed down in a week and we were closed for five months.
“We’ve pulled back operations so for now we are just based out of Brisbane. We are still operational interstate but not on the ground.
“On the recruiting front we had people who went home, who left the industry – it was heavily affected, people changed careers. It’s been really hard.
“Having said that, we’re the busiest we’ve ever been! As a business we only focus on permanent roles at management level and there’s a very big shortage of chefs.”
Pia says the new franchisor has made a difference to the business.
“FRG was bought out at the start of Covid. It was a very wild, nerve-wracking time. But it was a very smooth transition, there were lots of people involved talking to us.
“I knew it was a good business beforehand and I loved the previous owners so it was very daunting.
“The level of communications was great, we had operators in Express making contact, and our CEO Arthur was quick to come out and meet us.”
New departments including learning and development have been introduced.
“We’ve got so many more tools, you can see they are investing a lot in the business to help us perform at our best.
“We have good supply rates now because we’re so much bigger, there’s a network of support with other agency owners, and everyone is very motivated.
“It’s busier than ever. It’s been a big journey.”