Mr Rentals Co-Founder Named Franchise Woman Of Year

Qbr:

Kerrianne Hickman, founder of 2006 Queensland 400 member Mr Rentals, has taken out the 2006 Queensland PricewaterhouseCoopers Franchise Woman of the Year award.

Before a “who’s who” of the Queensland franchising industry assembled at Brisbane’s Marriott Hotel on Friday night, The Coffee Club’s Barry, Jenny and Kellie Lane were also recognised as the 2006 Queensland Franchisee of the Year.

Kerrianne Hickman received the accolade for taking the business from the first store she opened with her husband Glen 13 years ago, to more than 95 stores around Australia and New Zealand since franchising in 2000. The company ranked 315 in this year’s Q400 listing of the state’s top private companies, up from 369 previously.

In a market where there’s little scope for competitive advantage Mr Rentals focuses on strong family values and cultures to stand out among competitors.

Ian Robertson and Steve Cooke from City Pacific Finance were announced as first runners up for the Franchisee of the Year award, and Carol Welch from First Class Accounts second runner up.

Hickman and the Lanes are now automatic entries into their respective award categories at the national Excellence in Franchising Awards to be announced on October 24.

The awards will be announced on the final evening of the National Franchise and Small Business Convention to be held on October 21-24 at the Gold Coast Exhibition and Convention Centre.