BRISBANE: The Franchise Council of Australia (FCA) recently presented Queensland franchising identity Jason Gehrke with an award for outstanding contribution to franchising.
Gehrke, who is chief executive officer of mobile automotive and plastic repair franchise, Kwik Fix International, has been involved in franchising for almost 17 years, and has experienced the sector from the perspectives of franchisor, franchisee, advisor and association representative.
He is currently in his second term as vice-president of the FCA Queensland chapter, following eight years as chapter secretary, and most recently organised the program and promotions for the FCA’s 2004 national franchise conference, which beat all previous attendance records and became the biggest event of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere.
“I am really proud to be involved in franchising and excited by the continued opportunities the sector offers people from all works of life,” says Gehrke. “I am particularly proud to be involved with franchising in Australia, and specifically Queensland, which is recognised as the most heavily franchised region per capita in the world.”
Gehrke is also one of a handful of Australian franchise executives to be awarded the Accredited Franchise Executive (AFE) qualification.
Kwik Fix was awarded the FCA’s prestigious 2004 Franchise System of the Year award for best Home-based and Mobile system (21–100 outlets). It has 56 franchisees around Australia, and is currently managing expressions of interest for master franchises in Asia and the Middle East.
For a detailed insight into Kwik Fix, see case study beginning page 105 in this issue.
11-Jan-2006