Franchise Spotlight: Food Services
Experience in food or hospitality sectors seldom required for would-be franchisees.
Food services can be provided by mobile and events caterers, food suppliers, and cafes and restaurants, among other businesses.
Aspiring franchisees interested in preparing and serving food from fixed premises should also consider browsing restaurant franchises.
However, franchises operating in Australia’s $6 billion catering services sector can offer an intriguing alternative for anyone interested in the hospitality industry.
Hit hard by Covid-19 with in-person events cancelled or postponed during the pandemic, the sector’s industry growth rate is projected to rebound strongly according to statistics from market research firm IBISWorld, with the Australian economy in comparatively reasonable shape and organizations increasingly outsourcing their catering needs.
Franchise market analysis
The good news for those without experience in food or hospitality sectors is that this won’t generally disqualify them. Instead, enthusiasm, a talent for customer service and a willingness to follow a proven formula are typically favoured.
Franchisors help franchisees comply with food safety and other regulations, and offer significant purchasing power and the tried-and-tested systems and processes needed to match high service standards achieved across the franchise network.
The Kubarz franchise, which supplies bartenders and mobile bars, and waiters and catering services, says it’s the only franchised beverage catering company in an under-served Australian market.
Cafe2U , meanwhile, is a catering franchise that generates business from events such as music festivals and corporate functions, and claims to be the world's largest mobile coffee franchise.
Drive-through coffee chain Muzz Buzz has dozens of locations around Perth and promises franchisees high traffic locations, well established supply chains and support networks, and trade-boosting local promotions and incentives backed by head office.
Aspiring food franchisees might also consider fast food chains such as Domino's Pizza, Pizza Hut, and CRUST, restaurant franchises like Soul Burger, Lonestar Rib House, and Outback Jack’s Bar & Grill, or coffee shop chains like Gloria Jean’s Coffees and The Coffee Club.