Double Honours for Zarraffa’s Top Franchisee

Zarraffa’s Coffee Beenleigh has been awarded top company honours, crowned both Franchisee of the Year and Store of the Year, last night at the 2017 National Franchise Conference.

Set amongst the swaying palms on picturesque Hamilton Island, franchisee Nick Daswani accepted on behalf of his wife Kelly and his entire Beenleigh team, who have consistently been recognised as an outstanding operator in the franchise group since opening.

“Nick and his team are stellar examples of what hard work and a commitment to a franchising system can achieve,” said Zarraffa’s Coffee Managing Director, Kenton Campbell.

This is the third year that the Beenleigh store has been awarded the Store of the Year Award and attaining the coveted Franchisee of the Year Award is all the sweeter because of it.

“When I got into franchising I said I want to be the best franchisee I could be,” said Mr Daswani. It’s a huge honour, and this brand has a ton of franchisees who deserve this award.

I’ve always quoted the saying ‘No man who has ever given his best has regretted it’ and I feel like that tonight.”

The Zarraffa’s National Franchise Conference also recognised a host of other store successes including the Rookie of the Year – for stores that have traded for less than two years.

“I was exceptionally proud to be able to present this award to our Toowoomba North store, which is operated one of our  former store managers. These are two young guys making a go of owning and running a store, taking all that they have learned to build a business future for themselves.”

Another key accolade of the evening was the presentation of the company’s Brand Ambassador, which went to veteran franchisee, Brendan Blakemore, who opened the company’ s original drive thru store at Worongary on the Gold Coast and pioneered the brand in Townsville.

“Brendan has been such a fantastic example to other franchisees in our group and it was high time recognition of the support he provides his peers and the contribution he has made to our company was recognised.”

The conference was also a moment for the entire company to reflect on the achievement of 20 years in business and one that was of particular significance to Mr Campbell, his wife Rachel and their eldest son Vaughan who attended.

“I have always said that I had to come all the way to Australia to make my ‘American Dream’ come true,” joked Mr Campbell who became an Australian citizen in 2000.

“When I think back over these 20 years, I’m extremely proud of the hard work and energy that not only my family has given, but all of the families of businesses that form part of the Zarraffa’s Coffee franchise group.”

“There are lots of long hours, getting up every day to ensure our customers have their coffee, in most cases from 5am. I’m just so proud of what we have achieved and truly excited for what’s to come.”

The full list of 2017 Award recipients:

Franchisee of the Year
Zarraffa’s Coffee Beenleigh (Nick and Kelly Daswani) 

Store of the Year
Zarraffa’s Coffee Beenleigh (Nick and Kelly Daswani)

Rookie of the Year (6-12 months trading)
Zarraffa’s Coffee Toowoomba North (Ashley Byers and Jordan Wyborn ) 

CEO Encouragement Award
Brett Kochner & Terry Fleming – Zarraffa’s Coffee Heathwood, Richlands & Booval

Brand Ambassador Award
Brendon Blakemore – Zarraffa’s Coffee Fairfield & The Lakes

Drive Thru Growth Award
Zarraffa’s Coffee Fairfield (Brendon, Debbie and Corey Blakemore) 

Strip Mall Growth Award
Zarraffa’s Coffee Hervey Bay (Bec and Chris Bee)

Internal Shopping Centre Growth Award
Zarraffa’s Coffee Pacific Fair (Kenton and Rachel Campbell)

External Shopping Centre Growth Award
Zarraffa’s Coffee Greenslopes (Brooke Li)