Australian Franchise News – 25-07-14
PACK & SEND franchisees dominated the Franchise Council of Australia’s (FCA) Excellence in Franchising Awards for Queensland and the Northern Territory, with one franchise taking home the title of Franchisee of the Year 2014 and two other franchisees making it to the event as finalists.
PACK & SEND Chermside franchisees Maria and Wayne Varkevisser were crowned Franchisee of the Year in the category ‘Franchisee of the Year – less than two staff’ at the black tie event on Friday 18 July at the Hilton Brisbane.
The franchise had stiff competition from PACK & SEND Milton in the same category, while PACK & SEND Sumner and Toowoomba were finalists in the Multi-Unit Franchisee of the Year 2014.
Maria and Wayne were delighted to have received the award, and believe it is a testament to their two and a half years of hard work and dedication managing the franchise.
“We’re absolutely thrilled to have been awarded the QLD/NT Franchisee of the Year Award,” Maria said. “We left South Africa to give running a business a really good crack and to see what we could achieve, so our focus has been on running our franchise effectively and contributing back to the PACK & SEND network. The award has really been the icing on the cake for us; it’s a fantastic achievement for Wayne and I.”
Originally from South Africa, Maria and Wayne have operated the PACK & SEND Chermside franchise since October 2011. After an initial relocation and rebrand, the franchise has been a successful business venture for the Varkevissers, with the franchise’s revenue for 2013/14 increasing 30% on the previous financial year.
Since taking over the franchise, Maria has also taken on board a mentoring role, talking to potential PACK & SEND franchisees about her experiences and how to run a successful franchise.
The award was judged on highly selective criteria, including business planning and performance, systems management, franchise citizenship, openness to learning and change, and community contribution.
PACK & SEND CEO, Michael Paul, said he was incredibly proud of the efforts of all PACK & SEND franchisees nominated for awards. “With an estimated 15,000 franchise businesses currently operating in Queensland, to have three franchisees all nominated for prestigious awards, and to have one take out a title, is a remarkable effort,” Paul said.
“We’d like to extend our congratulations from everyone at PACK & SEND to Maria and Wayne at PACK & SEND Chermside for their incredible efforts, and the best of luck for the National Awards to be held in October.”
PACK & SEND Chermside will now vie for the title of National Franchisee of the Year at the Excellence in Franchising National Awards Gala Dinner, held in Sydney at Olympic Park on October 28, 2014.