8 minute read
REVVED UP
Four franchisees reveal the driving force behind their decision to buy a business, and what they love about the brand they picked.
By Sarah Stowe
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HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN THE BUSINESS AND WHY DID YOU BUY THE FRANCHISE? I have worked in the automotive industry for 20 years and have been a franchisee at JAX Tyres & Auto Narellan for three and a half years now. I came into this role from quite a large organisation after taking a voluntary redundancy and wanted to get a business of my own.
Tyre, mechanical and servicing seemed the most logical path out of all the other areas of the automotive industry. I was a customer of the JAX Narellan store for 11 years myself through my work, so I knew the owner at the time. Regardless, I went away to do some competitor research for due diligence and ultimately chose the JAX Tyres & Auto model because I believed in the company’s vision for the future.
WHAT HAVE BEEN THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES AND HOW HAVE YOU OVERCOME THEM? The biggest challenge is always competition. Automotive customers are very savvy, they know what they need for their car and are open to looking elsewhere.
It can be a cut-throat business because there will always be other operations that are willing to tell customers whatever is needed to keep them happy. It can be difficult when you’re competing to do the right thing by a customer – it presents financial problems, you can get out-quoted on jobs and customers may question your
WHY THESE NEWBIE HYDRAULINK FRANCHISEES SIGNED UP TO THE “BEST UNDER PRESSURE” BRAND
Former aircraft engineer PETER THOMSON (above) says the opportunity to join the network was timely.
“After the impact of Covid-19 on many industries, I believed it was time to take a look into the future and decide where I wanted to go over the years ahead. I had the opportunity to slow down and take stock, to decide how I wanted to take my future into my own hands and provide a good strong future for my young family.
“I am at a good stage of life to invest my energy and strong technical background into determining my own future, growing with the big expansion here. Our local area needs excellent hydraulic service backing for major industries such as housing and infrastructure development, earthmoving and roads, transport, warehousing and retail distribution, municipal and all the other industries that come with growth.
“I dug deeper into the opportunity – as an aircraft engineer you take nothing for granted – and found that there was true depth of professionalism and service backing Hydraulink people. The company wants you to succeed and they will back you to do it. They have a clear idea about where they want to demonstrate leadership and I am happy to share that path to achievement.”
Fly-in-fly-out resources industry operations leader and machinery troubleshooter JORDAN LESTRANGE ended 20 years in the sector to join Hydraulink.
“I really wanted to get back home closer to my wife and family,” says Jordan. His last role was in drilling in Papua New Guinea. “With our boys showing an interest in the business and my wife Mel doing the books – and our commitment in the community in rugby league – we would love to build a balanced future for ourselves in the place where we belong. We love the Central Coast, and we want to be here building a strong local business as our daughter and our three boys grow up. “I have loved fixing and operating things since I was a little boy on our farm out west in NSW, where I started ploughing by myself when I was six. I was always picking up the tools to get things working right. It is bred into us out on the farm to get out and fix things – it is in our family’s blood.”
customers come back for repeat tyre fitment, vehicle servicing or whatever it might be.
Having a relationship built on trust, where they feel comfortable enough to drop off their keys and go and believe in your ability to look after them and give them peace of mind is very rewarding. It’s better than any business review.
recommendations – but ultimately you have to stick to your gut instinct.
The best way to overcome competition is clear communication with customers. Take them out to their vehicle, show them what you see, explain why you’re recommending particular products or services and go through the bigger picture with them.
WHAT’S BEEN THE BEST PART OF BEING A JAX TYRES & AUTO FRANCHISEE? The thing that I enjoy most is having WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR THE FUTURE? I’m very keen for where our store and JAX Tyres & Auto as a group are heading. We’re always looking to expand and find opportunities where we can be a one-stop shop for automotive retail and mechanical servicing.
The good thing is there are no real barriers. Whether it be electrical, accessory fitting, compliancing or upskilling in different areas of vehicle maintenance, you can go as far as you want to. As long as a new venture is viable, at the end of the day there’s no real limit to where you can take your business.
JACK FULLER, PIRTEK ALBANY
Why did you pick this franchise? We identified that many businesses in the region were looking for an alternative supplier for their hose and hydraulic equipment and servicing so we decided to fill the gap in the market and early feedback has been very encouraging. Pirtek is obviously a leader in the field and it made sense to explore the possibilities of establishing a franchise in Albany. What do you hope for the future? There are so many terrific stories of Pirtek franchises being handed to the next generation and while that is some time off for our children, it would be great to think we can build our business so we have that option in a few years’ time.
WHAT’S FUELLING THE SECTOR? Construction and mining activity is projected to grow, boosting demand for industry services, suggests Daisy Feller, the author of IBISWorld’s Motor Vehicle Engine and Parts Repair and Maintenance in Australia, June 2020.
Growing activity in the construction and transport sectors is expected to lead to a rise in demand for truck and commercial vehicle maintenance.
New cars are likely to be more environmentallyfriendly and technologically advanced, which means complex repairs. Overall the industry forecast is for a minimal revenue rise – an annualised 1.4 per cent over the next five years. Now revenue is estimated at $11.7 billion, and in 2024–25 it is predicted to reach $12.6 billion.
More than half of the industry is dedicated to motor vehicle servicing. n
Crust has big plans for a very prosperous new year
What are your plans 2021? Crust pizza is going for growth, including opening 10 new stores. Could one of those stores have your name on it?
Australia’s #1 premium brand
Since its launch in 2001 Crust has focused on quality, freshness and innovation. There are now over 140 outlets in Australia, plus two international territories, and premium products have set the brand apart. Roy Morgan Research Institute recently named the pizza chain Australia’s leading premium brand in the Quick Service Restaurant category.
It's a very good place to be. The research also found that there are over 4.7 million premium consumers in Australia who spend more, and more frequently, than anyone else. But Crust doesn’t stop there when it comes to optimising franchise partners’ .
“We recently opened up to a whole new segment of the market to sit alongside our premium o erings,” says Jon Paul Partyka. “An $11 pizza deal with a $5 side option is now available now from many of our stores.”
Crust has already sold more than 5.4 million pizzas this year. The number of customer transactions has risen by 21.8% with 15.1% year on year growth. “The fact that sales increased significantly at the peak of lockdown demonstrates the success of our new menu options,” says Jon Paul Partyka. “In tough times, many people look forward to the lift they get from eating our gourmet pizza while other look for a ordable options. It’s an example of the innovations our franchise partners welcome and enjoy.”
All the support you could need
“We’re not just a franchise, we’re a family,” says Jon Paul Partyka. “When you join us, your initial six-week training teaches you everything you need to know about running a Crust pizza store and a small business. You’ll then have support from our friendly team of specialists whenever and wherever you need it.”
Crust o ers the competitive edge that comes with an established, well known Australian brand. And you don’t even need previous experience to share the benefits – there are expert to guides you through all the key milestones and work with you every step of the way.
“The whole set up is easy because we do all the hard work for you,” says Jon Paul Partyka. “You can enjoy maximum e ciency and productivity right from the start. And, with our streamlined payroll, rostering and HR systems, you can spend a lot more of your valuable time focusing on building your business.”
In 2021, Crust will also be supporting current franchise partners with brand new designs for stores and the menu.
“We never stop thinking about ways to Improve the opportunities for our franchisees,” says Jon Paul Partyka.
Get in touch
Crust stores range in price from $200,000 and leasing specialists are on hand to help you find your preferred territory and negotiate terms. So, if you’re ready to connect and cultivate customer experiences, contact Kellie Cranch on 0401 058 607 or email kellie.cranch@rfg.com.au, for your first taste of being a Crust above the rest.
