GLOBAL EYE

POWERING UP THE POTENTIAL

Brands are fired up to grow and innovate in 2021 and ahead.

NOW YOU CAN GET YOUR HANDS ON A CARL’S JR. FRANCHISE!

US brand Carl's Jr. is opening up to brand new franchisees in Australia and plans to open up to 200 restaurants by 2031; 27 new outlets are expected to open within 12 months.

Since the brand launched here in 2017 it's been operated under four separate franchise agreements, with each franchisee group building its own mini-empire of outlets.

Now the Victorian operator, CJ's QSR, which already owns and operates 11 corporate sites in Victoria, and one in Wetherill Park, Sydney, has been assigned the rights as a master franchisee for Australia to roll out more franchised outlets.

CJ's QSR is seeking new franchisees in all states and territories except SA/NT (which is operated under a separate exclusive agreement).

Andrew Firn, managing director of CJ's QSR, told Inside Franchise Business the support office is up and running and it is "full steam ahead". "We are passionate about Carl’s Jr. and have been buoyed by the appetite that exists in the Australian market for our Chargrilled Burgers,” he said, predicting the rollout will escalate. n

Home-grown functional fitness brand Fitstop is getting backing from US business Lift Brands, the parent company of Snap Fitness and 9Round.

The multi-brand business is taking a 30 per cent stake in the fledgling gym chain with the goal of fast-tracking its expansion. The aim is to double the Fitstop footprint in the next financial year.

Fitstop founder Peter Hull said “It’s so rewarding to see an international organisation recognise us as the next big player in the fitness industry, not just within Australia but around the world. The next phase of growth will involve looking to introduce Fitstop to the New Zealand market, followed by the UK and US which will be of a larger scale.” n

DOMINO’S SAYS NO TO PLASTIC

Domino’s has ended its reliance on single-use plastic straws and spoons in more than 710 stores across the country.

The pizza chain estimates the change to biodegradable straws and wooden spoons will remove 2 metric tonnes or up to 2.85 million pieces of plastic from circulation each year.

In an industry first, Domino’s is also trialling a recyclable ‘lineless box’, using cutting edge technology to apply an approved food grade lining that will eliminate secondary plastic packaging from the supply chain.

If rolled out, the new concept is expected to boost franchisees’ business with reduced wastage and improved food preparation times in stores. n

JAX TYRES LAUNCHES DOUBLE FIRST

JAX Tyres & Auto has just opened the doors to its first retail store in South Australia.

The new store is also the first to be powered by solar panels.

The eco-friendly outlet is company owned and part of the company’s expansion plan to add at least eight new locations to take the total retail footprint to nearly 100.

The store has a commitment towards sustainable business practices and will be incorporating other environmentally conscious business programs and retail services.

Customers with electric vehicles can use a free electric charging station. The store team will also be involved in the company wide initiative to phase out print invoices and participate in JAX Tyres & Auto’s national tyre recycling program via Tyrecycle. n

LIFT BRANDS TAKES STAKE IN FITSTOP

INFINITE CYCLE TO OPEN 20 STUDIOS

Indoor cycling business Infinite Cycle will open 20 more studios this year.

The fledgling franchise has so far signed up 12 studios, with outlets now open in ACT, New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland.

The concept has already attracted former Sydney Swans Player, Alex Johnson, who has signed up to take on two neighbouring Melbourne territories – Armadale and Brighton.

Damien Bain heads up operations for the brand. “We aim to open another 15 by the end of 2022. We’re also looking to New Zealand and Singapore,” he said. n

7-ELEVEN MAPS OUT FAR NORTH QUEENSLAND

7-Eleven is set to enter Far North Queensland, investing more than $15m to open about 15 stores over the next two years.

The convenience chain will launch in Townsville and Cairns within the year before ramping up expansion in the second year.

General manager – channel, Braeden Lord, said “Recent investments in our supply chain have made it possible for us to bring our offer to Townsville and Cairns and we are incredibly excited about the chance to serve the local communities in Far North Queensland.” 7-Eleven operates new stores as corporate outlets for at least a year before franchising.

The significant investment in the region will deliver plenty of employment opportunities; at least 200 full-time jobs are predicted for the construction stage and about 150 local jobs for ongoing operations. n

IN BRIEF

The Tobacco Station Group opened its 500th franchised store and has plans to add up to 30 outlets by the end of 2022.

Mortgage broking franchise MoneyQuest opened its 100th franchise just five years since it first unveiled its franchising model.

Commercial cleaning franchise Urban Clean plans a US launch in September.

Hotel apartment chain Quest has started to build its latest $70-million mixed-use development, Quest Geelong Central.

Global workspace business IWG will unveil four smaller, more flexible office locations, Spaces OpenDesk, this year.

Snap Print-Online opens up new markets for more than 130 franchisees in the print chain.

Muffin Break named Coffee Shop of the Year 2020 by Roy Morgan.

ASX listed Silk Laser Australia has reached its milestone of 60 clinics ahead of schedule.

BIG4 Holiday Parks anticipates $80m sales following total online revenue growth last year of 94 per cent and cabin revenue rising 101 per cent. n GYG OFFERS DRIVE-THRU OPPORTUNITIES

There are five Guzman y Gomez drive-thru outlets lined up for budding entrepreneurs who want a business along the east coast of Australia.

The fast food chain has announced opportunities in Hervey Bay, Port Macquarie, Mackay, Cairns and Tamworth and more than 30 new restaurants are planned over the next 12 months.

The five drive-thru stores will be opening between August 2021 and July 2022.

After opening in Newtown in 2006 GYG now has more than 150 restaurants across Australia, Singapore, Japan and the US.

GYG founder and CEO Steven Marks said “Usually we have franchisees on a waitlist for two years or more before we make locations available so I’m really proud to make these five restaurants available to young entrepreneurs wanting to make their mark on the world.” n

10 NEW GELATISSIMO STORES

Gelatissimo is to open 10 additional stores this year with Queensland a particular focus, and is backing up its search for franchisees with a new dedicated website.

Domestic growth will be matched with aggressive growth plans overseas, including expansion in the US.

Gelatissimo’s Houston store is set to open in June with several outlets in the pipeline for Hawaii later in the year.

CEO Filipe Barbosa said “Global expansion is at the heart of our strategic plan for 2021/22. We will celebrate 20 years of successful growth in 2022 and so feel the time is now right to really ramp up our international presence and cement our brand on a world stage.” n