Leading Australian retail brand Donut King has opened its first outlet in Shanghai, with additional stores to open in Shanghai during the coming months. The opening on 1 November 2008 was the result of a Master Licence Agreement between Retail Food Group and Shanghai-based Mak Brands Limited to develop and proliferate the Donut King franchise system within the People’s Republic of China. Donut King opened its first outlet in Eastgarden Sydney in 1981 and there are now more than 309 Donut King... ...Read more »

Leading Australian retail food brand manager and franchisor Retail Food Group Limited (RFG) today announced a 134% increase in net profit in spite of the recent economic turbulence which has hit consumer confidence. The owner of the Donut King, Brumby’s Bakeries, Michel’s Patisserie and bb’s café franchises saw growth stimulated by their purchases of Brumby’s and Michel’s and a record number of new store commissionings (61). There is now a total of 1,052 franchised... ...Read more »

A report from foodservice consultants Technomic has found that many top restaurant chains grew their 2007 sales through signing more franchisees, instead of relying on same-store sales increases. “Restaurant chains are facing an increasingly challenging environment and higher costs,” notes Darren Tristano, Executive Vice President of Technomic Information Services. “Expansion through franchising transfers some of the downside risk of a slowing economy to the franchisees, while the... ...Read more »

Peak retail industry body the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has hit out at the Federal Parliament’s announcement to have another Inquiry into the Franchising Code of Conduct and demands it ‘be the last’. The inquiry, which began on June 25, is to determine whether or not improvements to the Code are required. ARA Executive Director and former CEO of the Franchise Council of Australia, Richard Evans, is bemused by the Parliamentary Corporations and Financial Services Committee’s... ...Read more »

Leading Australian retail food brand manager and franchisor Retail Food Group Limited (RFG) today announced that they will look to grow their Donut King franchise in China. RFG has reported that they have finalised the terms of a Master Licence Agreement (MLA) with Shanghai based Mak Brands Limited concerning the proliferation of the Donut King franchise system within China. The Agreement is performance based for an initial term of 20 years, and growth in the Chinese marketplace is based... ...Read more »