Looking to franchise as a sole trader? Opportunity knocks at Brisbane Franchising Expo

More than 50 companies will be exhibiting at the upcoming Brisbane Franchising & Business Opportunities Expo, which will be held on July 20 and 21 at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre.

One of the exhibitors, John Stanton, the Australasian recruitment manager for Café2U, believes it’s the perfect opportunity for people looking to franchise as a sole trader.

Cafe2U is an Australian-based international franchise system of mobile café vans. There are over 140 vans across Australia and another 70 in the United Kingdom, United States and New Zealand.

Stanton told StartupSmart that while a few have had to hire staff to manage their growth and turnover, most are managed by sole traders.

“The system was designed for a single operator. Some of them have such strong turnover they need an employee to assist them, but most do it on their own,” Stanton says. “It’s a very simple business model you can run out your home with few suppliers, and little or no staff.”

Stanton says new franchisees should look for a commitment to training. The Cafe2U franchisees go through a lengthy process so both parties can be sure it’s a good fit.

“Our franchisees come from a wide range of backgrounds. All we’re looking for is the right attitude, we can help you with the training to get the skills, but you need to be able to create the right atmosphere at your van, and being able to be the best moment of your customer’s day,” Stanton says.

According to Stanton, all franchises should have a clear system that’s simple to follow at its core.

“We’re very big on system and process, as all franchises should be. We’ve never had a franchisee who followed the system who hasn’t had success,” Stanton says. “We’re at about 98% success rate for franchisees based on the expectations and goals the franchisees gave us when we started working together.”

Cafe2U has operators in all major cities and a range of rural franchisees too. Zones are identified and mapped by technology that focuses on areas of significant people density, such as business parks, industrial centres, schools and sporting fields.