“Dream, work hard, and live your dream life.” That’s franchisee Hana Kaur’s advice. As an Oporto business owner she knows that hard work and opportunity can deliver success. And she’s not alone. Oporto’s parent company Craveable Brands is committed to empowering women in business and growing its network of female franchisees.
Craveable Brands owns three Aussie chains: Bondi-born Oporto, roast chicken champion Red Rooster and Western Australian favourite Chicken Treat.
The group provides the channels for determined and dedicated women of any age to make their mark in business.
Women are forging their own paths as business owners
Craveable is the perfect match for Danielle Reece who has notched up 11 years with Chicken Treat.
“At 17 I worked as a cashier before being promoted to supervisor at 18. I then went on to be an assistant manager and worked as many hours as I could,” she reveals.
Danielle’s drive and dedication paid off at a young age.
“At 23 my husband and I became franchise partners for the first time when we purchased our Jandakot store. Now, five years on, we own four stores – Jandakot, Gosnells, Camillo and Armadale.”
This powerhouse couple share a passion for building their Chicken Treat portfolio and Danielle in particular is relishing the benefits that come with business ownership.
“It has set my husband and I up for when we decide to have children, giving us the flexibility to work around our family,” she says.
“It’s enabled me to do what I love doing which is working with youth and seeing them grow and transform,” she says.
“My bosses planted the seed, head office gave us the opportunity”
Former jilleroo, Glendon Holzwart, was once more familiar with mustering on horseback, and driving tractors and bulldozers to clear the land, than running her own fast food business.
But the seed of ambition was planted early on. After time as a cashier at the Emerald Cattle Yards Glendon joined the local Red Rooster store. And it was when she worked in store management that she could see the possibility of becoming her own boss.
She and her husband bought their first Red Rooster store in 2001 in Stanthorpe. Eight years later the couple added four more outlets in Brisbane. Today they have a portfolio of three Brisbane stores: Nudgee, Deagon and Larapinta.
“When I was a cashier years ago, I would think to myself ‘when I own my own stores…’ My bosses at the time planted the seed, head office gave us the opportunity and we have worked very hard to succeed.”
The couple’s success has led to Glendon’s involvement with projects across the Craveable group.
“I have been fortunate to have been selected to be on the Franchise Advisory Council. I’ve helped with trials in stores, training and mentoring new franchisees and enjoy networking with the wider franchisee group and Craveable brands.”
And for her, the biggest reward has been the work life balance she’s achieved as a Red Rooster franchisee.
“We can choose how we want to work our days,” Glendon says.
“If you are looking for freedom and to make your own money, this is the path to follow”
Hana Kaur knows exactly what that feels like. “I always wanted a business of my own because I wanted freedom,” she says.
Hana opened her first Oporto store in February 2021 and has plans to open a second outlet soon.
The franchisor’s support helps Hana achieve her ambitions. Now she has able to have time for herself and her family, without constantly worrying about the business.
She is confident the Oporto franchise model can lead to financial and personal freedom.
“If you are looking for freedom and want to make your own money, this is the path to follow,” she says.
Hana joined Oporto as a T4 Melbourne Airport store team member in 2016. Before long she had advanced to a shift supervisor role, and then took the chance to be her own boss.
Hana understands it takes dedication, training, quality, consistency, and great customer service to turn a business into a roaring success. It also takes strong leadership.
“A good leader can make or break the business. A leader brings new ideas to life; a leader is always focused and goal oriented,” she says.
Craveable is a business that advocates for female leadership
A collaborative and supportive franchise allows women to develop their leadership skills, be their own boss, and build a successful business.
Glendon says “Often women just need the confidence to attempt a new opportunity and if we can give them that, along with guidance, encouragement and support, they will succeed!”
Danielle says “I’ve been blessed to be surrounded by some very strong women.” She is a fervent supporter of women taking on franchisee roles. “Do it! ” she says. “There’s so much upside.