The Franchised Food Company (FFCo) has continued its expansion with the purchase of the 87-strong Cold Rock chain of ice-cream outlets. Melbourne-based businessman Stan Gordon, the owner of FFCo, settled the transaction at the end of last week and has since announced the appointment of Michael Sherlock as Executive Chairman. Mr Sherlock is best known for his role in turning around the Brumby’s Bakeries business during the early part of this decade. He is reportedly excited by the challenge... ...Read more »

Retail Food Group, one of Australian’s largest retail food brand managers and franchisors, has today announced a 33 per cent surge in net profit after tax as consumer demand for comfort food fails to wane. The owner of the Brumby’s, Donut King, Michel’s Patisserie and bb’s café franchise brands expects the growth to continue as menu innovation and store developments continue apace. “The Company has … focussed on delivering further menu innovation and supply chain... ...Read more »

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has instituted proceedings in the Federal Court, Sydney against Personalised Chocolates 4U Pty Ltd and its director, Troy Patching, for alleged contraventions of the Trade Practices Act 1974.The ACCC has alleged that PC4U marketed and sold personalised chocolate franchises by making false, misleading and deceptive representations, including representations that: * software essential to the franchise business would be provided to franchisees when... ...Read more »

Bakers Delight has announced plans for further expansion across its Australian, New Zealand and Canadian operations in 2009, with the planned launch of around 150 stores. While much of the retail sector is feeling the pinch of the global financial crisis and in cut-back mode, Bakers Delight reports that they are trending positively against the economic downturn. As part of an aggressive growth campaign, the company is looking to recruit 150 new franchisees across its international network and will... ...Read more »

Peak retail industry body the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has welcomed the Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services’ report on the inquiry into the Franchising Code of Conduct tabled in parliament yesterday. Chair of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services, Bernard Ripoll, flagged two major changes to the Code. “To assist the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission in its enforcement role, the committee recommends the introduction... ...Read more »

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 on operating... ...Read more »