The Incredible Disappearing Retail Franchises

Food Week:

The Townsville Queensland franchisee was recognised as the store owner with the highest sales growth in the chain which deserved a clinking glass or 2.

But the dampener on celebrations was the placement of the store in receivership on the same day it picked up the award.

Fair Margin understands the Clark Rubber conference in Queensland was a well-organised event with good content and supportive messages from the franchisor management team.

But the mood was sombre amongst suppliers whose order books were underwhelmed and franchisees who were worried about the future of some of their colleagues, if not themselves.

Clark Rubber acknowledged earlier this year that trading conditions were difficult and that the franchisor realised that some of the stores were doing it tough.

The economic stutters were one thing, water restrictions in key markets that hit pool sales were another, but the chain also made some mistakes that have generated some serious challenges.

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