| Finalists for Franchise of the Year (Retail) Presented By: Orna Stokes of Ulster Bank were Abrakebabra Investments Ltd; The Streat; O2 and Subway |
Winner: The Streat
The Streat Franchising Ltd is one of Irelands leading café franchises offering fresh food, quality coffee and award winning service in comfortable surroundings. Born and bred in Belfast 11 years ago, the business has been franchising for over 5 years and there are currently 34 cafes in the network across Ireland and Scotland. Plans for the business include further growth in both countries as well as expansion into England. Recent acquisition of the company by the Henderson Group, best known for their Northern Ireland Spar franchise network, means that the streat is well positioned to develop both the existing café network and other exciting food and coffee franchise concepts.
Finalists for Franchise of the Year (Service) presented by: Robert Tyrrell of Campion Insurance were Fastway Couriers (Ireland); Chem-Dry Ireland Ltd; Home Instead Senior Care; Snap Printing; Action Coach and Signs Express |
Winner: Fastway Couriers Ireland
Fastway Couriers (Ireland) is a multi award winning Franchise System which was established in New Zealand in 1983, in Ireland in 2002 and is the world’s largest courier franchise operator. The Fastway Couriers system prides itself on being economical, reliable and easy to use. Using unique pre-paid labels and satchels, Fastway Couriers (Ireland) offer customers a next day local and nationwide parcel collection and delivery service, including Northern Ireland. They also launched a new delivery service to the UK in 2009. 2009 was a record year for Fastway. They saw an increase of 22% in the number of Courier Franchisees who invested in Fastway, substantial growth in customer numbers, 14% growth in parcel numbers and positive sales growth over 2008.
Finalists for Franchisee of the Year (Retail) Presented by Hilary Haydon and Fiona Cottell of Haydon Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers were John Dawson from Snap Printing St John Rogerson’s Quay and Donnybrook; Catherine & Peter Wilson of Eddie Rockets Kilkenny and Derek and Aisling Mullins, The Streat, Citywest & Tallaght |
Winner: John Dawson, Snap Printing
With 13 printers in Dublin and 11 regional printers in Galway, Limerick, Louth, Mayo, Waterford, Westmeath, Wexford and Cork, Snap Printing have people and the technology to help you not only design and print your logo but also promote your business and create and print your marketing pieces.
Finalists for Franchisee of the Year (Service) Presented by: Cian O Mongain, Sunday Business Post were Noeleen Cronin of Home Instead Senior Care in Blackrock, Co Dublin; Michael O'Hara of Signs Express, Sligo and Tony Clarke from Kendlebell, Naas |
Winner: Michael O Hara, Signs Express
Established for 20 years, Signs Express is the UK and Ireland’s leading signs and graphics franchise. Operating within the lucrative B2B market place, franchisees require no industry experience as full training and ongoing support is provided. Over the years Signs Express has gained an exceptional reputation within the industry as well as building an extensive network of 80 centres across both the UK and Ireland. Signs Express is currently recruiting new franchisees on a national basis. A number of key territories are still available throughout Ireland as well as the opportunity to take over an existing franchise.
Finalists for Best Emerging Franchise Presented by: Arthur Doran - Ulster Bank were Kids Party Club; Tax Assist; O2; Caremark; Motivation Weight Management Clinic and Tone at Home |
Winner: Caremark
Caremark provide care for anyone who wishes to remain in their own home, regardless of their disability, illness or situation.
Caremark Ireland is owned and operated by Tom and Maeve Duke and includes two company owned and company operated units in Dublin South and Dublin North. As part of the franchise rollout strategy three highly qualified franchisees were selectively recruited between July and September 2009. Significant investment has been made in the engagement of external expertise in best practice franchising, HSE procurement procedures and additional training for all staff with the objective of providing the Caremark franchise and its franchisees with the optimum opportunity to succeed.
Finalists for Franchise Person of the Year Presented by Lisa Keating, head of emerging and partner channels of O2 Ed Murphy from Home Instead Senior Care and John Green from Chemdry Ireland |
Winner: John Green, Chem-dry Ireland
John Green is master franchisor, Ireland, for Chem-Dry carpet & upholstery cleaning franchise. Together with his brother Pat, he acquired the licence in 1989 and currently has 47 franchisees operating across the country. John is chairman of the Irish Franchise Association and a member of the Marketing Institute of Ireland. He was voted ‘Franchise Person of the Year’ in 2005 for his work in promoting franchising in Ireland. |
