Who we are..

Franchise Systems Group is, as the name suggests, a consultancy specialising in support services for organisations in or considering franchising.  Our specialist skills are also of value to management who require strategic positioning, marketing or promotional support for their operations.

We have a long record of working with Franchisors in expanding their franchise systems, as well as with existing businesses exploring franchising. 

Franchise Systems Group specialists deliver professionalism, a clear rationale and strong conceptual thinking to every project. Franchise Systems Group works closely with their clients on strategies and direction as if we were part of the Management team.

We treat our clients' information with strict confidence.  Should there be a position of conflict, we divulge it immediately.  This is vital if we are to be wholly involved in the clients' business to create new opportunities.

We believe in adhering to timetables and expense budgets agreed in advance with the client. We exchange a letter of understanding prior to the commencement of a project in order to ensure agreement on fees and confidentiality.

Our Team

Michael Padden

Mike Padden is one of Australia's most experienced Consultants and advisors in Franchising and was the Founding Vice President of the Franchisors Association of Australia (now the FCA), a body formed to promote the practice of Franchising as a business technique in Australia.

He is a Registered Consultant with the NSW Government Office of State and Regional Development and regularly consults to industry on marketing and distribution systems.  He has experience in the food and pharmaceutical industries in sales and product management and has held management positions with companies such as Abbott Laboratories, Richardson Vicks and CSR.

His management experience includes hands on experience as the General Manager of a Franchised Retail Chain operating 165 outlets in six countries.

Mike specialises in dentifying the key issues in an organisation's business planning and the development of a strategic plan. He has assisted a variety of clients in a diverse range of business sectors that have included: Accounting and Bookkeeping; Retail Clothing; Contract Cleaning; Cosmetic Retailing; Building Services; Insurance; Communications; Transport; Printing; Restaurants and Fast Food; Security etc.

Mike, in conjunction with the FCA, organised the first Franchising Trade Mission to the People's Republic of China.  Australian expertise in franchising was welcomed by Chinese Government Ministries and quasi government organisations. Several Joint Ventures resulted and Australian Franchisors are now established in the China market.

Michael was a founder and board member of Habitat for Humanity Australia, part of an International non-denominational organisation for the relief of poverty, building low cost housing throughout Australia and South East Asia, and is pictured above with his wife, Vera and Jimmie Carter, former President of the USA and current leader within the Habitat organisation.

William P. Lockett

Bill Lockett is a seasoned retailer with over 40 years international experience in senior management positions with major retailers in four very different countries: UK, Australia, Papua New Guinea and China.

His consultancy experience includes recruitment and business advice to a variety of clients included shopping centres, variety stores, hardware chains, small retailers and government institutions.

Bill understands what is at the heart of a successful operation, particularly the culture and value systems. He has significant experience in the definition of organisational direction and development of business plans for organisations.

Bill is our operational specialist, with specific expertise in the field of financial projections for franchisee and franchisor, the establishment and implementation of performance measures, the planning, organisation and opening of stores and the development and implementation of training.

Bill is also a director of a translation agency in Beijing. Amongst the company's clients are BHP, General Motors, Samsung, Volkswagen, Toshiba, Honda, AMP and Fiat. For all your business needs in China click here: Beijing Language Bridge

Bram Baker

Postgraduate Diploma in Management (Macq) 1999, Master of Management (Macq) 2001.

Bram has been involved in a number of SME's and larger organisations including the Commonwealth Bank, LEGO Building Systems and, for the past fifteen years, franchising.

This franchising involvement has included: 

• Development of Operations and Training Manuals for Sola-tube Franchising System
• Franchisee for over 3 and a half years with The Cheesecake Shop
• Held positions of Marketing, Operations and General Manager of The Cheesecake Shop Franchise System over a period of five years. Carried out a complete review of operations during this period and introduced systems for Master Franchisees including KPI's. and other management strategies. This Group has over two hundred Franchisees and seven Master Franchisees covering Australia and New Zealand.
• Won a number of Franchise Awards while in leadership positions
• Has conducted seminars on Franchising and customer service all over mainland Australia
• Established consultancy business in 2000, consulting to new and existing Franchised Groups in developing strategies, updating Agreements, Operations Manuals, Strategies and Training.
• Assisted Franchise groups in promoting their system and finding new franchisees.
• Spoken at FCA (Franchise Council of Australia) functions and has contributed to Franchising Magazine on a number of occasions.
• On the panel of mediators with the Federal Government's Office of the Mediation Advisor
• Member of FCA NSW Committee.

Graham Burman

Graham Burman has 20 years experience in franchising. As General Manager of an Australian fast food retailer he established franchise operations in Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia. He subsequently became a franchisor in his own right, expanding his company in Australia and Fiji.

His management experience also includes sales and product management positions with Philips Industries Ltd.

He has worked in companies in the manufacturing, wholesale and retail sectors
with an emphasis on sales and marketing.

Graham understands the importance of communication within a franchise system and specialises in mentoring emerging franchisors, working with them on site to help establish their systems and develop their franchisee relationships.

Vera Randall

Australian Business Woman of the Year

Vera brings extensive experience in franchise start-up and operation to Franchise Systems Group. She founded and successfully operated Knitwit, the home sewing business that successfully operated 175 franchises in five countries for 22 years. Since social change overtook the Knitwit business in 1992 and after enjoying five years creating and operating a technology based custom made clothing business, her focus has been on helping emerging and mature franchisors build their businesses in the following areas:
Start-up support and franchise recruitment
Conference Speaking
Mentoring
Practical Franchise Training Workshops for Franchise Owners and Managers at all levels.
- Effective Franchise Management
- Overcoming Procrastination, Complacency and Self Doubt
- How to Make Good Hiring Decisions
- How to Delegate without Losing Control

Active in community and social justice issues Vera’s other activities have included:

- Member of Commonwealth Government National Training Council 1985 to 1990
- Board Member Australia Post 1982 to 1987
- Founding Board Member of Habitat for Humanity Australia 1988 to 2000
- Board Member Habitat for Humanity International representing Asia Pacific Region 1992 to 2002

Maui Wild

Maui Wild joins Franchise Systems Group with considerable experience. He was first introduced to franchising, when he held, for 5 years, a position in the Head Office of Atlantic Union Oil Co (NZ) Ltd, (a Mobil subsidiary) being responsible for retail site selection, franchisee selection, and franchisee training and monitoring.

Together with his wife Janette , he held positions as Franchisee, Master Franchisor and Franchise Consultants for the past 28 years. Initially they opened the first Knitwit franchise in Adelaide , South Australia . It proved so successful that they sought and obtained the Master Franchise for Knitwit , New Zealand . They developed the franchise to its full potential, building their own wholesale fabric supply division, N Z distributorship for Pfaff sewing machines, and in-house finance company to support franchisee's sewing machine sales.

During his time in New Zealand , Maui was a founding member of the Franchisor's Association of New Zealand. 18 years later Maui returned to Perth , Western Australia , his wife's birthplace.

For the last 8 years Maui has operated as a franchise consultant maintaining close contact with the Founder of Franchise Systems Group, Mike Padden , and was happy to join the Group for the same reason he has advised many prospective franchisees. "Get with the strength………..Get the benefit of the expertise that only comes from a community of specialists".