Kwik Kopy Australia franchise system sales for the first half of the 2011 financial year grew 3.5 percent to $43.6 million year on year.

David Bell, CEO, Kwik Kopy Australia, said “This is an excellent result and provides clear evidence that the Kwik Kopy Franchise System has fully emerged from any lingering effects of the GFC. We’re confident that System profits will soon exceed the record profit levels achieved during the 2008 financial year.”

The print group’s franchisees have weathered the economic downturn well, he said. During 2009, industry-wide estimates show that the GFC wiped between 10 and 15 percent off sales in Australia. However Kwik Kopy System sales fell by just three precent from the 2008 figure of $86.5 million and there were no Kwik Kopy centre failures.

“Comparatively, our franchisees performed exceptionally well,” said Bell. “Subsequently, in 2010 sales stabilised and in 2011 we are now seeing very strong sales figures returning throughout the system. Our top 20 franchisees have grown their businesses at 20 percent or more this year.” ”

Bell said the strong focus placed on cutting costs and optimising service levels has paid dividends.

“We have focused on diversification in our product and service offerings through the system and this has seen design sales increase 21 percent over the last three years,” said Bell. “This, in combination with a 16 percent increase in our colour printing services, has resulted in our record profits and underscores the strength and robustness of the Kwik Kopy system.”

* How are franchisees driving business? Read more here.