Ice Cream Franchise Expansion

From StartUpSmart: Ice cream and smoothie franchise Baskin-Robbins has flagged regional areas across Queensland, NSW and WA as the focus of its next growth phase, ramping up its recruitment drive for franchisees.

Late last year the US-based brand announced it was on the hunt for new franchisees as part of its new owners’ expansion in Australia following the collapse of former parent company Allied Brands.

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Ben & Jerry's Launches Australian Franchise Opportunities

From Franchise.net: Iconic ice cream brand Ben & Jerry's launched its Australian store retail franchise opportunities with a taster in Sydney.

Potential franchisees turned up to hear what makes the famous chunks and swirls sweet treat outlets a success.

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Snap-on Tools Relocates Head Office

From FranchiseNet: Mobile retail franchise Snap-on Tools Australia has moved its head office and distribution centre to larger premises after 19 years in Seven Hills, Sydney.

The business packed and relocated 1,200 pallets of stock, which equated to 60 semi-trailer loads of equipment, product and furniture in just two days and was still be able to deliver orders without any delay. 

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No Cooling Off For Ice Cream Franchise

From The Sydney Morning Herald: "Global ice-cream chain Baskin-Robbins says the demise of its Australian franchise holder has enabled it to take a hands-on approach to tapping into a "fabulous ice-cream market....

"The ice-cream franchise has ambitious growth plans for Australia, where it has so far failed to capture as much of the market as in the other 38 countries it operates.

"It's a fabulous ice-cream market," Mr Kumar said of Australia."There's warm weather right though the year, people are outdoorsy, they love the beaches. Ice-cream goes very well with that. And Australia is a very well developed franchise market."

There are 88 Baskin-Robbins stores across the country, and Mr Kumar said that number should one day match or better the 200 stores currently operating in Indonesia."

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New Retail Franchise Founder Wins Award

From Franchising: "The 23 year old founder of mini motocross business, braaap, has been named runner up in the Junior Chamber International Creative Young Entrepreneur Award, recently announced in Osaka, Japan.

At the age of 16, Smith started braaap out of his parent's garage. At 18 he travelled to China to find his own suppliers and manufacturers and began importing to Australia to sell. The business makes and imports about 2,000 custom motocross bikes a year.

The company now has four stores across Victoria and Tasmania including one retail franchise operation.

"I've got a five year expansion map in place to open around 50 franchise stores across Australia, with the help of [franchising specialist] DC Strategy. I've begun negotiations to enter the US market in early 2011," Smith said.

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