The Franchise Council of Australia honoured high achievers in the franchise sector at the 2011 Westpac FCA Excellence in Franchising Awards Gala Dinner on Tuesday night.

Hairhouse Warehouse won the major award of the evening, Established Franchisor of the Year. Co-founders Tony Lattouf and Joseph Lattouf said the recognition proves the success of their business model.

“Our business has been recognised by the most credible authority in franchising. This award reinforces our leadership position in the Hair and Beauty Industry. It means that we can leverage the award to attract a greater team and greater franchisee prospects.”

The Coffee Club was also a big winner with awards in three categories including Excellence in Marketing, Multi-unit Franchisee of the Year and Franchisee of the Year – two or more staff.

Nick Vincent, general manager marketing at The Coffee Club said the awards built credibility for the team. “The marketing award means more franchisee engagement in our marketing programs because we have been recognised as being marketing leaders within the franchise industry.

“The entire awards submission process was beneficial because it gave buy-in across all departments. It reminded us too, on the efforts the marketing team put in to rolling out national promotions.”

Chair of the independent judging panel Professor Andrew Terry from University of Sydney Business School said the calibre of this year’s award winners was extremely high.

“All of this year’s winners have certainly set the bar very high for others in the franchising sector to try and emulate. To all those that didn’t win, the awards process still enables people to have a very good look at their businesses and see where they can improve moving towards the coming year. In essence, everyone who enters these awards is a winner,” Professor Terry said.

The winners

• Established Franchisor of the Year Winner: Hairhouse Warehouse [Runner-up: PoolWerx]
• Emerging Franchisor of the Year Winner: Appliance Tagging Services [Runner-up: Mad Mex Fresh Mex Grill]
• Multi-unit Franchisee of the Year Winner: Carolyn and David McManus – The Coffee Club, Qld [Runner-up: Irene and Ian Hughes – PoolWerx, WA]
• Franchisee of the Year — more than two staff Winner: Kevin and Joanne Gooch – The Coffee Club Midland Gate WA [Runner-up: Anthony Smith – Mortgage Choice, Cheltenham Vic]
• Franchisee of the Year — less than two staff Winner: Fiona Edis – City Farmers Dogwash, Como WA [Runner-up: Rosemary Harmata – Lollypotz, Chatswood and Sydney CBD NSW]
• Franchise Woman of the Year Winner: Belinda Sugars, Mortgage Choice [Runner-up: Louise Curtis, Lollypotz]
• Franchise Executive of the Year Winner: Cameron Graham, ANZ Mobile Lending
• Field Manager of the Year Winner: Andrew Walker, PoolWerx [Runner-up: Judd Sandwell, Chicken Treat]
• Supplier of the Year Winner: Silver Chef [Runner-up: Whirlwind Print]
• Contribution to Franchising Winner: Derek Sutherland, ICON Law [Runner-up: John O’Brien, PoolWerx]
• Excellence in Marketing Winner: The Coffee Club [Runner-up: Hairhouse Warehouse]
• International Franchising Winner: ActionCOACH [Runner-up: Keen to Clean]
• Franchisor Social Responsibility Winner: Hairhouse Warehouse [Runner-up: Zambrero]
• Franchisee Community Service Winner: Dean Mackie – McGrath Estate Agents, Mosman, Northbridge and Neutral Bay NSW [Runner-up: David and Belinda Clarke — Bakers Delight, Stirling SA]
• 2011 Franchise Hall of Fame Inductee: Noel Carroll, founder Michel’s Patisserie