Franchise Everything
Greg Prussia is the National Business Development Manager at Bedshed, one of Australia’s longest-standing franchise brands, with over four decades of experience in retail franchising. With a franchise model built on trust, collaboration, and consistent performance, Bedshed has created a network where many franchisees have stayed for decades, some since the 1980s and even passed their businesses on to the next generation. Greg shares how the business supports both new and long-term franchise owners through open communication and shared decision-making. From participating in...
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Speak to JD directly to help you make more sales! Get JD’s free book: John Dwyer (JD), founder of The Institute of Wow, joins us live at the Melbourne Franchising & Business Opportunities Expo for a high-energy conversation on one of the most powerful yet underused marketing tactics in business, insured prize promotions. With decades of experience running successful campaigns for brands big and small, JD shares how businesses can offer customers the chance to win $50,000 or even $1 million in cash without actually paying out that amount themselves. ...
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Gabriel Lawyer is the franchise owner of Lounge Repair Guys in ACT, as well as a service coverage to other territories that stretches across key areas in New South Wales including the Mid North Coast, and Wollongong as well. Originally from California, Gabriel moved to Australia in 2001 and began his career in a family café in Canberra before transitioning into national operations roles in the commercial furniture industry. It was through this experience that he first encountered Lounge Repair Guys as a service provider and eventually saw the business opportunity first hand. In...
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Damien Boehm, founder of UrbanClean, and Kirk Simpson, General Manager, shared insights into the key factors that have contributed to the franchise’s success. UrbanClean’s journey began with a focus on direct response marketing, where they built strong business relationships and won cleaning contracts by addressing customer pain points. The company later transitioned to a regional model, empowering local entrepreneurs to offer more personalized support and grow their businesses. Central to their success was shifting franchisees’ mindsets from being just cleaners to becoming...
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Varun Ashok, CEO of Mobile Experts, started with a single kiosk and a vision to make phone accessories and repairs more accessible, reliable, and customer-focused. Over 12 years, he has scaled that vision into a national brand with over 65 locations across six Australian states, supported by Stuart Cameron, the brand’s General Manager. Now entering the franchising space, Mobile Experts is offering a unique opportunity: a low entry cost franchise model, paired with ready-to-operate stores, exclusive products, and strong relationships with major landlords like Westfield. ...
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Adam Wright is the Marketing Manager of Snap-on Tools Australia, a global franchise network built on over 100 years of history and a deep culture of trust, quality, and customer relationships. In this episode, Adam shares how Snap-on’s globally recognised mobile tool stores operate across Australia and New Zealand, bringing premium, American-made tools directly to workshops and dealerships. With over 4,500 franchisees worldwide, the brand continues to grow through a hands-on, solution-focused approach that goes beyond selling tools. From structured call routes and...
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What makes a franchise worth investing in? How can you tell if a brand will support your long-term success? In this episode, Darryn McAuliffe, CEO of FRANdata Australia, returns to share the seven signs that this franchise is a good fit for you. Drawing on real data and frontline insights, Darren outlines what quality looks like inside a franchise system. Darren discusses: Units: Why slow, steady expansion signals long-term health and why explosive growth can be a red flag. Financial performance: How to validate income expectations by speaking with franchisees at different...
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Kyle Wallwork is a five-year franchise owner of Kwik Kopy Kawana Waters on the Sunshine Coast. With a 25-year background in hospitality sales across major hotel groups in Australia and New Zealand, Kyle transitioned out of the corporate world after a company merger led him to reassess his future. Ready for a lifestyle shift and inspired to build something of his own, he explored different businesses before a conversation with Kwik Kopy led to an unexpected opportunity. The fit was right, from culture to values and he took over an established center with a long-standing team. Kyle...
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Kuresh Khan came to Australia from Nepal in 2007 as an international student, determined to build a better life. After completing his Master’s in Professional Accounting, he followed the conventional career path—four years in accounting roles. But with a child on the way and a growing desire for flexibility and financial freedom, he knew something had to change. With no set plan, Kuresh stumbled upon a Houseproud Cleaning franchise listing on Gumtree. A few conversations later with the outgoing owner and HouseProud founder Paul Mitchell—Kuresh decided to take the leap. Ten...
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Are you considering investing in a franchise? How do you know if it's the right choice for you? In this episode, Darryn McAuliffe, CEO of FRANdata Australia, dives into the seven key factors that can indicate a franchise may not be the best fit. He shares insights based on data and ratings, offering tips for prospective franchisees to make informed decisions. Darryn discusses: Franchise unit performance: What to look for when reviewing the number of franchise units and closures, and why increasing transfer rates could be a warning sign. Financial transparency: How...
info_outlineAt one stage, Dan Hotchkis was running his transport business, his two gyms, and a charity at the same time. Something had to give after also getting the opportunity to be the Stepz Fitness Master Franchise Owner for the ACT.
Selling his transport business after 26 years, as well one of his gyms, so he can focus all his efforts on growing his region, Dan’s story is one of hard work and pure commitment.
Pretty much straight from school, Dan got involved in the transport industry, and built his short-haul truck business to 5 trucks over 26 years in operation. Truck driving had a negative impact on his health and he found himself needing to take action.
Fitness and health has changed his life in many ways. He met his wife, who was his personal trainer, he lost 50kg+ in his personal journey and became an endurance mountain bike athlete and more.
He grew his own personal trainer business during his initial fitness journey, then he outgrew the space and leased his own warehouse and ran his own gym for 5 years before he decided he needed to make a decision again.
His life changing through fitness ignited a passion in him to go on a journey to help other people discover the same benefits he has through fitness and health.
0:00 Intro
0:34 Background and career out of school starting in transport
1:25 Trucks short hauling of timber and product and how he got into it and owning the transport business as a young guy
3:24 Starting with one truck and how he found clients to grow the business
4:51 Learning about funding a business through adding on new trucks in the transport business
5:31 Built the transport business to 5 trucks
6:15 The moment where Dan had to make a decision about taking the transport business next level or look at something else
6:49 The prompt to decide to get himself fit and how he started
8:02 After losing 20kg and then putting it back on, a new approach needed in a personal trainer
9:27 Connecting with a trainer and making that work to achieve his goals - 50kg to lose
11:10 After hitting goal weight Dan was able to maintain with good routine and back into the truck
12:01 Hit a point in transport business 12-13 years in and had to decide to grow huge or go into his passion for fitness
13:18 Started being a personal trainer at his gym which evolved into PT sessions and how he approached it as a business
14:34 Grew his PT business then got to a point that something else needed to change to grow that business and leased a warehouse of his own
15:49 Dan’s thoughts about entering into his first lease for a gym as he grew as a PT
16:33 Did Dan have a business plan? No and he ‘winged it’ for 5 years
17:05 Dan met his future wife who was his personal trainer
17:53 Wanting to help more people and grow a bigger business and started searching for a gym franchise business
18:45 Looked at all the gyms and what his rationale was
20:28 Having a great connection straight away with the franchisor, Sam Waller
21:42 Opening his first franchise in Dapto, find the location and fit out
22:51 3 months after opening how he coped with covid lockdowns
23:55 The building flooded after a water system failed and took 4 months to fix
25:12 Adding a second location pretty quickly
26:04 Still running the truck business and two gyms at the same time
26:28 Selling one gym and taking on the ACT Master Franchise territory and having too many commitments
28:51 Sold the truck business in 2024 after 26 years and growth target for Canberra
30:15 Wrap up
Podcast Produced by: www.franchisebusinesshub.com.au
Franchise Stories and Knowledge Base (our other website): www.franchisebuyer.com.au
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