It was just a casual, after school job for 15-year-old Justin Sirotich when he began working at the original Town & Country Pizza and Pasta store in Waurn Ponds, Victoria.

Fast forward 17 years and Justin is a well-established, high-performing franchisee, poised to extend his business into a multiple-restaurant operation.

“My older brother worked for Town & Country as a delivery driver, and it was his idea I should get my first job there. I was working in store three nights a week,” Justin says.

In the busy restaurant Justin learned fast and took on new responsibilities. When he joined the business full time at 18 he knew he wanted a career in hospitality. 

So when Town & Country began franchising, Justin was well-placed to harness his experience and take on a training and quality control role with the business.

“I was travelling around training staff on standards and consistency, and setting up new locations,” he says. “I got to see how different people operate their stores, and this helped me a lot when I became a franchisee.

From Town & Country employee to franchisee

“It was always my intention, once the business started franchising, to own my own store. But I knew I had to learn more, and save money first,” Justin says.

Eight years ago, aged just 24, he fulfilled his goal: he purchased his first Town & Country restaurant.

Justin was awarded the Torquay store, and brought all his experience to running the brand new business in a developing area.

“I took the best of what I had seen in other restaurants,” he says, “and I worked really hard, doing what I had to do to build a good business. We grew with the community. The branding helps, people love our food, and we have well-trained staff.”

He has embodied the franchise mantra that you get out of the business what you put in.

For the first two years Justin was leading the team from the front, involved in all aspects of the store’s operations. At the same time he was creating a high-performance culture and training for success. 

Franchisor support helps franchise success

It was Frank, the founder of the business, who showed him the value of a strong work ethic, he says.

“He has been my mentor; I’ve learned so much from him over the years. He effectively raised me in the business, from the age of 15 to 24, so operationally I have him to thank for my success.”

And Frank’s son Joe, who heads up franchising, has helped Justin develop and optimise business opportunities.

“Joe has assisted me with business growth, understanding reporting, getting clarity on financials. He has shown me how to maximise profits. 

“So now I have a good grasp of both operations and profitability and I’ve tried to make this one store as good as it can be.”

Taking advantage of opportunities for growth

Justin believes there is no secret to building a high-performing store.

“It’s consistency: showing up everyday, producing the best food and providing exceptional service.”

He has reaped the financial rewards of his hard work, and is now primed to take his business to the next level. 

“I’m ready to branch out and own multiple stores,” he says. “I want to make the most out of this brand opportunity so multiple restaurants is the way to go.”

Seventeen years with Town & Country has only served to make Justin more passionate about the brand, the support, and the close-knit community.

“‘Be part of our family’ is our brand tagline and I really feel like part of the family. I’ve helped grow their business with them, they have supported me, and I am happy to help in any way I can. I’ll always feel that way,” he says. 

There is one more life-changing element that Justin enjoys from his nearly two-decade long association with Town & Country. 

“I met my wife, Danielle, when she was waiting tables and I was making dough out the back. We both grew in responsibility, both became managers, and got closer. She worked for Frank until I opened my store.

“In the early years she would help out in the store; now we’ve got three kids she takes time out from being a mum by working one or two nights a week – and I get more time with the kids.

“For me, Town & Country has changed my life. Business is great, I operate a high-performing store and there is plenty of opportunity. It’s helped me help other people, my staff ask me for advice, it has shaped who I am.”