Australia's Top 10 Franchise Systems Revealed In Topfranchise Awards

Online, May 9, 2011 (Newswire.com) - Australia's top 10 franchise systems revealed in topfranchise awards
- Topfranchise.com.au Rating Australia's top franchisors according to their franchisees satisfaction -

The latest survey from Topfranchise reveals that Smartline Personal Mortgage Advisors are the number one Australian franchise among systems surveyed for the third year in a row. Now into its third year, topfranchise has surveyed over 3,000 franchisees (from over 80 systems) across Australia in the last three years.

Mister Minit despite softer retail conditions climbed from fifth place to number two and perennial achiever Mortgage Choice stay in the top five for the third year in a row, taking out third place. Others to show their consistency and place in the top five include Mr Rental (fourth) and Mrs Fields (Fifth).

Newcomers to the top 10 are the well known print and design company Kwik Kopy, coming in at number six and relative newcomer to Australia, Anytime Fitness placing eighth. Kwik Kopy was established in Australia in 1982 and have over 100 centres around Australia. In contrast, after just three years in Australia fellow newcomer Anytime Fitness has grown to 70 locations with a further 100 territories sold.

Anytime Fitness Australia, CEO and Owner, Justin McDonell, said the secret is people. "Having franchisees who live and breathe health and fitness is a must for us, as they get really passionate about helping our customers to get and stay healthy.

The other significant element for us is about having a turnkey business that requires less staff and so less management than a traditional gym." Topfranchise.com.au, Head of Intelligence, Ian Krawitz said that whilst Anytime Fitness premises are open 24/7, they are manned by security cameras after hours, not staff. "With less staff and less time in the gym topfranchise.com.au's latest survey shows Anytime Fitness franchisees work 20 percent fewer hours than the franchising industry's franchisees."

Krawitz said "Kwik Kopy's strong overall performance results from the strength of their support systems which are weighted highly in the overall rankings." Kwik Kopy sit at number four in the Support category. According to Strathpine Queensland Franchisee, Collette Watson, it was staff's care factor that motivated her to rate the head office so well. Collette said "Each person in the head office is part of our support team; it really feels like they are part of our business. We live in a digital world, which can be a digital hell sometimes, so the IT support we are provided with is fantastic."

Others holding their place in the top 10 are Signwave, Snap on Tools and Gametraders. Krawitz, said "Gametraders' placing was all the sweeter, as their dedication to franchisee satisfaction reached a key milestone, with their franchisees now some 50 percent more likely to recommend their business, than when they entered the awards three years ago."

But it is Smartline who continues to be the pace setter in the franchising Industry. Smartline CEO, Chris Acret, said "It is a huge honour for us to win Topfranchise for a third year especially because it is voted for by our own people. For us, there is no better accolade. The positive team culture that we have at Smartline is something we continue to work on. It is a testament to both our franchisees and group office team and it makes doing business more rewarding for everyone."
ENDS

Notes to editors:

About topfranchise.com.au
topfranchise.com.au is a free resource. Research house 10 THOUSAND FEET started the annual franchise channel review three years ago. Potential franchisees can review the best performers in key categories at topfranchise.com.au

The key criteria taken into account by topfranchise.com.au include;

- Renewal: intention of franchisees to renew their agreement beyond the current term
- Recommendation: willingness to recommend a franchise to friends and colleagues
- Financial: The salary and return on investment franchisees feel they can receive
- Lifestyle: whether franchisees are satisfied with the lifestyle their franchise affords them
- Passion: how passionate franchisees are about the brand, product or service they offer
- Support: examining levels of support offered by the franchisor
- Opportunities: whether franchisees feel there are opportunities to expand their business within the system

topfranchise.com.au Overall Top 10 May 2011
Rank Company name How Many
Franchisees
In Australia How Many
Units/ Locations
In Australia*
1 Smartline 203 203
2 Mister Minit 86 103
3 Mortgage Choice 318 363
4 Mr Rental 40 67
5 Mrs Fields 24 25
6 Kwik Kopy 90 105
7 Signwave 20 20
8 Anytime Fitness 53 70
9 Snap-on Tools 150 151
10 Gametraders 36 38
*This refers to the combined number of business units owned and operated by the company and its franchisees.

topfranchise.com.au is a free consumer service powered by research house 10 THOUSAND FEET. Topfranchise.com.au is supported by subscription fees paid by franchisors for surveying their franchisees. It allows users to benchmark franchisors against average industry performance across seven categories and provides links to franchisor websites, news articles, video profiles & testimonials. Ratings in each category are updated bi-annually, based on the results of 10 THOUSAND FEET's ongoing Franchisee Satisfaction Surveys.

For further information or to arrange interviews with Ian Krawitz or spokespeople from the new top 10 please contact:
10 THOUSAND FEET Tel: 02 8080 7544 and speak with Ian Krawitz
Ian Krawitz Mob: 0413 991 881 Email: [email protected]