Souvlakihut

#1 franchise Overall on topfranchise.com.au #1 in 5/7 categories on topfranchise.com.au Food franchise takes out Number one franchise again...

Food franchise takes out Number one franchise again.

Casual Greek restaurant chain, Souvlakihut, has retained its number one position on topfranchise.com.au’s overall ratings despite the financial downturn. 

Co-founder and Director of Souvlakihut, John Fotiadis, puts the achievement down to the company’s pro-active approach in helping franchisees prepare for a changing economic climate.

“We have a strong support culture at Souvlakihut,” says John.  “We have made a concentrated effort to get on the front foot with the financial downturn, and it has really paid off.” 

On reviewing the franchisee feedback outlined in the first round of topfranchise.com.au results, instead of the food franchise congratulating themselves on the number one spot, Souvlakihut’s management team immediately pinpointed areas for improvement. 

“Our business ethos is that there is always room for improvement,” explains John. “We’re currently at 22 stores, with plans to open at least 10 more by the middle of the year but our long term objective is to reach over 300 across Australia, so now is not the time to sit back and relax.”

Souvlakihut upped the level of communication between head office and its franchisees, scheduled more frequent face to face meetings, and improved the quality of communication between franchisees and Area Managers. 

“We made sure our Area Managers were out there, proactively offering advice and guidance to franchisees on what they could expect as the global financial crisis took hold”, says John. 

Souvlakihut also involved franchisees in shaping the business approach, asking for their input and ideas on how the core product offering could be made more appealing to increasingly cash-strapped customers. 

“I think that really made a difference in our passion rating,” says John. “When everybody pulls together to face a challenge, you create a real sense of camaraderie.”

Souvlakihut continues to grow from strength to strength and has launched into three new territories in the past six months, the food franchise now has multiple stores across Victoria and Queensland, and a firm foothold in New South Wales, Tasmania and ACT.

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