The new owners of the Grout Pro Australia business have signed contracts with 10 existing franchisees after taking over the business in June 2012.
Wayne Burns and Geoff Biddle bought the rights to operate the Australian business and brought with them years of experience in business management, retail tile and floor covering, as well as technical services.
Geoff Biddle explained “We’ve just recently finalised the purchase of the business with former franchisees re-signing in the knowledge they will now have excellent support, stability and the confidence to build their own businesses. We all anticipate a long and prosperous future for GroutPro and a period of strong growth.”
The New Zealand based tile and grout restoration company entered the Australian market in 2010 and has since experienced rapid growth. But the business had been put into voluntary liquidation earlier this year by the franchisor following an internal legal challenge.
Some of the 22 franchisees left the business before Burns and Biddle bought the Australian rights, and out of the 16 remaining, 10 franchisees have re-signed. There are now 14 territories operating.
Biddle said “We’ve absorbed legal costs for the franchisees on signing up to a new agreement to make it as painless as possible.”
A more user-friendly franchise agreement has also been introduced, he said.
Biddle told Franchising, “My business partner who is now part owner was formerly a franchisee of GroutPro so he has seen the business intimately from inside and out. We both saw the potential of the business due to its significant success in New Zealand, where they recruited around 40 franchisees in three years.
“The system is a multi-award winning franchise in NZ for good reason and has systemised a unique set of services combined with the best professional grade products on the market.”
Awards
Grout Pro was the Westpac New Zealand Franchise Awards 2011/2012 Franchise Export Winner, and in the same awards, was highly commended in the Home Services Best Franchise System category.
The business has also notched up a host of wins and commendations across marketing, innovation, business growth, professional service, small business, technology and lifestyle categories in a variety of award programs.
Franchise offer
Grout Pro Australia operates in the home services and home renovation markets offering low cost tile and grout restoration.
Franchisees benefit from:
- a multi-award winning franchise business model
- proven techniques and ideas
- marketing and advertising support
- comprehensive training program and technical assistance
“We attended the Brisbane Home show and had a lot of interest in the services offered,” Biddle said. “We also held a $3000 giveaway competition.”