Chapter 1
FCA maintains focus on member support Mary Aldred | CEO Franchise Council of Australia
About the Author Mary Aldred commenced as the Chief Executive Officer of the Franchise Council of Australia in April 2018. Mary brings to the role extensive experience across government, industry and the corporate sectors as well as a very strong focus on membership engagement, stakeholder collaboration and effective advocacy. The Franchise Council of Australia (FCA) is the nation’s peak body for franchising, representing franchisees, franchisors and service providers to the sector. The FCA provides a strong voice for franchising and is focused on raising the awareness of the benefits of franchising and educating governments, regulators and key decision makers, as well as the broader community, on the important economic and social contribution that franchising makes within Australia. Membership of the FCA is voluntary, and open to any organisation or individual involved in the franchise sector, including franchisors, franchisees, and suppliers to the sector. The FCA strives to add value to the businesses of its members by advocating on their behalf, and by providing education, information and networking services and opportunities that support a prosperous and growing franchise sector. Franchising is a popular business model in Australia and makes a significant contribution to the national economy. There are approximately 1,344 franchise brands in Australia, providing employment for more than 598,000 people and contributing more than $184 billion annually to the national economy. -3-
