There’s a new ‘ex’ and they can do even more damage than an ex-wife or husband — it’s the ex-franchisee – and a new franchising centre is providing advice on how to stay protected.
Griffith University will launch the Asia-Pacific Centre for Franchising Excellence at a free franchise sector briefing on Monday, May 12 at 6pm on Griffith’s South Bank campus.
Centre Director and leading franchising expert Professor Lorelle Frazer said the damage caused by ex-franchisees could be harmful to the system.
“From copycat concepts to negative media coverage and litigation, ex-franchisees can be a potential distraction for any franchise system,” Professor Frazer said.
“Changes to the Franchising Code of Conduct mean ex-franchisees have more power than ever to influence the future success of a franchise system, with franchisors now required to disclose contact details of former franchisees.”
The seminar will explore why ex-franchisees engage in destructive behaviour and what they hope to achieve; common types of destructive activity and how to monitor it; and how to develop processes to maintain positive brand engagement among ex-franchisees.
The seminar will be delivered by Professor Frazer in partnership with Franchise Advisory Centre Director Jason Gehrke.
Prior to the seminar Franchise Council of Australia Chairman John O’Brien will launch the new Asia-Pacific Centre of Franchising Excellence.
The Centre will be a valuable resource for the franchising sector, which contributes about $128 million to the Australian economy each year and employs nearly half a million people.
Services offered by the Centre will include research, consultancies, industry events and courses and training. The Centre can also tailor skilling solutions to meet the needs of any franchise system.
The Centre will work along side industry and government in Australia and the Asia-Pacific, and its research will help inform policy and industry standards.
The seminar and Centre launch will be held in Brisbane, with similiar events also held in Sydney and Melbourne.
The Brisbane event will be held Monday, May 12 from 6pm at Club 88, Level 7, Webb Centre, Griffith University South Bank Campus.
The Sydney event is being held on Monday May 19 at the Radisson Hotel, Liverpool St, Sydney and the Melbourne event is being held on Tuesday May 20 at the Marriot Hotel, Cnr Exhibition & Lonsdale St, Melbourne. RSVP essential and can be made to [email protected]