Following a ‘changing
of the guard’ at Bakers
delight, which saw founders
roger and lesley gillespie
stepping down from their
roles, while daughter elise
and her husband david
christie step up to become
ceos, Business Franchise
magazine were keen to find
out what the future looks like
for this large, family owned
franchise.covER SToRy: BAKers delightQ&A WITH BAKERS DELIGHT
deliVering on
the delight
fEATURE:
Food & Bever
Age
deliVering on
the delight
Q
starting from a single store in 1980,
roger and lesley have grown the
business into a 700+ store, successful
global business. What is the initial short-
term focus for you both now that you have
taken the helm?
A. Identifying the opportunities for future
growth, setting in place the plans to achieve
it, and building the team to deliver it.
We have three key areas of focus:- Franchise recruitment to enable us to open
more bakeries and facilitate more bakery
changeovers; - Becoming more relevant and loved by the
next generation of shopper, our marketing
and product strategy will specifically
target young families and young couples;
and - Underpinning this is the constant focus
on always improving our standards in
every bakery, so that we always deliver on
the delight.
Q
david and elise, you have both been
involved in the family business for a
number of years but how has the transition
been from management to ceo?
A. We’ve both been working in the businesssince 2004 and have experience working in
all countries that the business operates in.
The transition from leading the Canadian
business to executive roles in the Australian
business hasn’t always been smooth but it has
given us the confidence and experience to
take on this big challenge.Q
What individual skillsets do you both
bring to the business as ceos?
A. We’re actually really good bakers! Aside
from that we have years of operational
experience in all markets that we operate
in, a passion for retail and in-depth
understanding of the franchise network.Q
how have the existing franchisees
reacted to this ‘changing of the guard’
and how will this affect them?
A. Ask them! Most of the longer serving
franchisees seem to be positive about the
transition. They like the continuity of
ownership. But change is required to keep
our position as a market leader and change is
always unsettling.Q
What is the long-term objective for
Bakers delight, both at a corporate
level and as a franchise network?
A. To be the favourite bakery in everyelise Gillespie and David christiecraig bruty - Owner Flinders lane Melbourne