community. Grow the network in Australia
and internationally while growing the profits
for our franchisees.
Q
Finally, after leading the business for
over 35 years, will roger and lesley
now enjoy a well-deserved break?
A. Definitely not! They still play a very
important leadership role in the business
on the Bakers Delight board. They will
also become more involved in some other
investments that the family has, as well
as the many philanthropic causes that the
family supports. In their spare time they’ll
be visiting bakeries!
In line with david and Elise stepping up
to become joint CEOs, Bakers delight
is stepping up its growth strategy
and looking for its next generation of
franchisees.
So what are the qualities that Bakers
delight looks for in a franchisee?
When we are looking for franchisees
to join our network, we are looking
for people who share our values, are
passionate, motivated and have a strong
work ethic. It is essential for us to have
franchisees who believe in and respect our
brand as much as we do.
If you are interested in learning more
about becoming a franchisee with us,
contact our Franchise Recruitment team
via:
1300 309 759
http://www.bakersdelight.com.au/franchise
fEATURE:
Food & Bever
Age
After David and Elise’s suggestion to ask
a franchisee their thoughts regarding the
recent changes, Business Franchise magazine
contacted franchisee Craig Bruty. Craig has
been a Bakers Delight franchisee for the
last seven years, owning the Flinders Lane
Melbourne outlet and currently looking into
purchasing his second store.Q
craig, what motivated you to buy into
the Bakers delight franchise brand?
A. I always knew that one day I wanted to
own my own business but after completing a
Bachelor of Commerce degree, and spending
a year working at a farm, I was struggling to
find a Graduate position due to the start of
the Global Financial Crisis.
Lacking management and corporate
experience, I started to investigate the
possibility of buying into a franchise system,
although I was still relatively young, having
only finished university 12 months prior.
After talking to a few small business owners
and knowing that a lot fail within the first
3-5 years, I approached two Bakers Delight
franchisees that I knew, who are still with
the franchise today - one is a friend and the
other a distant relative - and after speaking
with them and conducting my own research,
I made the decision that buying a franchise
would be great starting point in my business
ownership journey. Now, seven years later, I
am looking into buying my second.Q
What is it about the Bakers delight
brand that gives you the confidence to
now become a multi-site owner?
A. I love the fact that it’s a family owned
and run business. Bakers Delight stores also
play an important role within their local
community, which I really like. Coming
from Echuca, in country Victoria, that senseof family and community is very important
to me. Each store has a relationship with
their local area and is very involved with
charity work, both at a local and national
level. Our charity work includes sponsorship
of community groups and charities as well as
donating leftover bread to local not-for-profit
groups. On a national level, Bakers Delight
has donated over $15 million to Breast
Cancer Network Australia.
It’s also very rewarding, leading a team of
10-12 people and watching them flourish
and work within their own community.
With strong procedures in place, Bakers
Delight has gone from strength to strength
over the years and I, in turn, would now
recommend becoming a franchise owner to
my family and friends.Q
And finally, what are your thoughts
regarding the ‘changing of the guard’?
A. From my point of view, I think it’s the
best and only decision that could have been
made. Both David and Elise have Bakers
Delight running through their blood; Elise
is a fifth generation baker. Roger and Lesley
have mentored them both to take this step,
and I feel that’s what makes Bakers Delight
unique, special and strong – the family
atmosphere and the enthusiasm shared
between them.
In recent years, both David and Elise have
worked within the store network, here
and overseas, and also at different levels of
management within the Support Office; they
have experienced the business as a whole
and in my view, they are the right people to
take the whole company to another level,
bringing youth and enthusiasm to an already
dynamic brand.
I am excited to see what the future holds for
Bakers Delight!craig bruty - Owner Flinders lane Melbourne