Australian Franchise News – 27-05-14
Australia has one of the highest number of Franchises per capita in the world, contributing $131 billion (or 14%) to the Australian economy and employs around 400,000 Australians. This sector, however, is prone to costly and damaging disputes and is now facing even more significant regulation.
Founder and Australian commercial lawyer, Steven Clare, together with Executive Members, leading franchises and select small businesses, are pleased to announce the launch of “MyAFSA” – Australia’s first Franchise Support Alliance.
Franchises including McDonalds, Westpac, Fastway Couriers, Jamaica Blue and Muffin Break are just some of the members who have joined the MyAFSA business community as they believe in the need to make a difference and bring Franchisors, Franchisees and small businesses together.
“We’ve called this new business an ‘alliance’ as it aims to bridge the gap between Franchisors and Franchisees and offer many additional support services. It also supports SMEs by giving them a fighting chance,” Steven Clare said.
“Franchisors genuinely want to support their Franchisees, but they often simply don’t have the available resources and MyAFSA offers a business ‘plugin’ solution to help.”
As a Commercial Lawyer and Franchise Adviser, Steven has dealt with Franchise disputes. Having also worked in the sector as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of a major Australian Franchise, he has firsthand knowledge of the pitfalls and challenges faced by both Franchisors and Franchisees and wants to make a lasting and positive difference.
MyAFSA has been established to offer solutions to issues that most, if not all, franchise systems lack or don’t contemplate well enough.
We deal directly with a Franchisors head office, enabling our member Franchisors to give their Franchisees pro-active, best practice and comprehensive support, that would not otherwise be available, to give member Franchises a competitive advantage in the market place.
Our Alliance is initially being driven by four highly respected Executive Members (with the number of Executive positions set to grow to 12) These executives are leaders in their respective fields, two have MBAs and together offer decades of combined business and franchising experience. They are:
- Steven Clare, Founder, Commercial Layer
- David Ciantar (Sydney GM), Fastway Couriers
- Charlie Duffill (National Business Manager) FoodCo Group, and
- John Collins (Former GM Aussie Farmers Direct) and now multi-unit operator as a franchisee of AFD.
More than just a slogan, the Executive have a deep-seated belief that MyAFSA will help all involved to better “Network, Learn, Grow and Succeed”.
Some of the business services we provide include:
- A place where those in the industry will be able to watch online educational video topics, from our Executive Members, and this library of expert knowledge will continue to expand
- The first online franchise expo video hub – with promotional videos showcasing various member franchises,
- Monthly networking breakfasts in Sydney,
- The ability for members to sell businesses on-line,
- A rewards and recognition scheme,
- A Directory of SMEs offering membership benefits on cost savings & more – expected to cover many aspects of business and help reduce member’s business expenses.
- A specific online business referral system – enabling members to feel less isolated and get help when needed, and
- AFSA Mail – giving members the ability to meet new people, especially those outside their normal scope of business relationships.
“We are on a real crusade to help the franchisor operator and their franchisees with support, guidance and benefits to give them a competitive business advantage. We also want to give SMEs a fighting chance to tap into this huge and important part of our economy and grow their own market share. We are upfront and honest and our community is designed for people to grab hold and run with as much information and support as they want!” Steven Clare concluded.
For further information on AFSA please contact [email protected]