Chris and Jenny Iannetta are confirmed Red Rooster advocates, a testament to the power of franchising.

The couple purchased their first business six years ago, but Chris has been familiar with the brand for three decades, working first in corporate roles then shifting to franchising support at airports through Spotless Services.

In 2019 the pair jumped at the opportunity to own a piece of the brand they are passionate about, and since then the Arana Hills Red Rooster store has become a true family affair, with both teenage daughters keen employees.

Last year they took the bold step of buying a second store, just 10 minutes away, at very short notice!

“Red Rooster rang us to see if we wanted to buy the existing Albany Creek business, and of course we said yes,” Jenny says.

“Our business consultant really supported us through this. He was absolutely wonderful, going above and beyond what was needed to ensure we were set up and ready to go,” she adds.

Jenny readily admits she’s had less experience at Red Rooster and her strengths lie in customer service and front of house.

Scaling success with Red Rooster

“Chris stayed at Arana Hills, so I went across to Albany Creek with limited knowledge and Owen’s help was invaluable in training and systems, he really was amazing,” she says.

Eight months after acquiring their second store Chris and Jenny are confident it was the right move to expand.

Growth comes with challenges of course, and keeping both stores on track requires a lot of work.

Jenny spends 70 per cent of her time at Albany Creek, Chris is at Arana Hills for 70 per cent of the time.

“The other 30 per cent we manage together,” says Jenny. “We’ve got separate crews but we can cross over sometimes to fill gaps,” she says. 

They have also discovered that each store requires a tailored sales approach, with an obvious difference in customer spend across the two sites.

Customer connections are fuelled through community initiatives. 

“We work with some schools providing vouchers and merch, and participate in their fun food days, and we’ve sponsored a sports club. You’re building relationships, and if you help people, they return the favour,” Jenny says. 

Innovation helps drive new business

Chris and Jenny have observed how the brand has shifted from being solely a traditional family brand to one that is increasingly popular with a younger cohort. 

“Reds has evolved the marketing across TikTok and Instagram, and it’s becoming attractive to teens and those in their 20s, and that’s where the money is,” Jenny points out.

Aussies continue to love chicken as a fast food option, and Red Rooster’s innovations are getting traction. Introducing fried chicken was a game-changer, the couple says.

“Reds will keep innovating its products and marketing. For instance, there’s been a focus on value rather than cost with family packs, and that’s resonated with our customers,” Chris says.

As multi-store Red Rooster franchisees the pair is excited about the advantages that come from scaling business success, from improved costings to rostering benefits. 

“The stores need to be self sufficient, that’s where we have to get to. We are working on growing the management team so we can expand even further, and walk into another store. That’s our focus now,” he says.

Support and respect key in the franchise partnership

“It was a big leap for us to take on the second store but the help from Red Rooster has made all the difference,” Chris says.

“With Reds we have the support of the parent company, Craveable Brands. So we know that if we have a real challenge to overcome, Reds would support us because of how we run the business. We’re ethical, we believe in the brand,” he says.

In his view, the couple’s unofficial appointment as brand ambassadors is a result of the way the pair operate their business.

“Our stores are running properly, we train our staff well, we have good connections with the public. Everything Reds suggests we run with,” Chris explains.

He believes the robust relationship comes down to two-way respect – and having the confidence to be honest and transparent.

“Franchising is a partnership. You’re buying a system and it works but you’ve got to do your part. Reds is not talking to your customers, you are, so you have to put the work in,” he explains.