Felipe Gama is the franchise owner of Sushi Sushi in Dunsborough, Western Australia, with a second store soon to open in Margaret River. Originally from Brazil, Felipe moved to Australia in 2018 to study cookery and built his career working in kitchens across Melbourne and regional WA.

With years of experience as a chef, he developed a passion for fresh, high-quality food but also recognised the challenges of long hours and demanding shifts. When planning for a family, Felipe sought a business opportunity that aligned with his skills while allowing more balance and lifestyle flexibility.

Discovering Sushi Sushi provided the perfect fit. The franchise model offered structure, training, and support while giving him the chance to run his own business in a growing regional community. From overcoming early challenges with team building to engaging with locals through sponsorships and community ties, Felipe has embraced the role of business owner with enthusiasm.

Now preparing to expand into multi-store ownership, Felipe continues to combine his passion for food with the drive to build sustainable businesses rooted in both family and community.

0:00 Introduction

0:45 Felipe's franchise journey beginnings — from Brazil to Australia

2:12 Studying cookery in Australia and gaining qualifications

3:56 Facing and overcoming early language barriers

4:34 Favorite cuisine to cook and personal passion for Italian food

5:46 Career progression after qualification and early experiences in Australian kitchens

6:48 The transition from Victoria to Western Australia

8:51 Working as a chef after relocating and running a kitchen for over two years

9:18 Shifting from chef life to business ownership to align with family goals

11:03 Discovering a gap in the market and finding the right franchise opportunity with sushi sushi

13:49 Addressing stereotypes in sushi franchising and why passion matters more than background

15:27 Overcoming the biggest challenges of starting a franchise business

16:36 Deciding to expand with a second store

18:04 Building management teams to balance growth and lifestyle

19:37 Opportunities and challenges in regional markets

20:56 Keys to local success with Sushi Sushi

22:33 Wrap up

Podcast Produced by: www.franchisebusinesshub.com.au

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YouTube: https://youtu.be/p_9t7i9e8eI

Jim and Rose Stoupas are the founders of Walkers Doughnuts, a brand built on family heritage, food innovation, and a passion for creating memorable customer experiences.

With a long family history in baking and a strong connection to nostalgic Australian culture, they transformed childhood memories of donuts and milk bars into a thriving franchise model. From the beginning, their vision was clear to combine authentic products, a unique environment, and strong franchise systems to stand out in the market.

Key milestones in their journey include moving production offsite to ensure quality and consistency, expanding interstate with dedicated area developers, and keeping product innovation at the heart of the brand.

Today, Jim and Rose continue to grow Walkers Doughnuts nationally while staying true to their philosophy: create products people love, design stores that feel special, and leave every customer just a little happier than when they walked in.

0:00 Introduction

0:38 Origin story of Walker's Doughnuts

3:59 How the store environment shapes the Walkers experience

5:26 Maintaining the Walkers environment through franchisee training and store immersion

7:22 The role of offsite manufacturing in Walkers’ growth and efficiency

9:31 Expansion into Queensland through an area developer model

12:22 Commitment to product quality and uniqueness as a cornerstone of growth

14:41 Blending brand passion with food technology where art meets science

16:03 - The significance of trademarking and why it mattered for Walkers

17:10 Wrap up

Podcast Produced by: www.franchisebusinesshub.com.au

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Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/mtvp3s35

Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/2n3r55wc

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YouTube: https://youtu.be/JsKSI9qHC9A

Varun Ashok is the founder of Mobile Experts, one of Australia’s fastest-growing mobile repair and accessory retailers.

Growing up in India, he spent his teenage years working in the family business before moving to Australia in 2007 to pursue a Masters in International Business. His early days saw him balancing studies with jobs at Pizza Hut and Vodafone, with no set plan beyond working hard and embracing new opportunities.

In 2013, Varun opened his first store in Wetherill Park, overcoming challenges with landlords and fit-outs to establish a strong customer base. His focus on providing the right product at the right price with genuine customer service set him apart and led to early profitability.

From a single store, Varun quickly scaled to 12 locations in Sydney, and over the years, expanded to more than 60 stores nationwide. Along the way, he shifted from instinctive, ‘seat-of-the-pants’ decision-making to building systems, training teams, and developing a long-term vision for growth.

Today, Mobile Experts continues to expand under his leadership, built on a foundation of innovation, people management, and customer focus with Varun shaping not only the business, but also the future of franchising in the mobile services industry.

0:00 Introduction

0:41 What Mobile Experts does

1:38 Varun’s personal background and life back in India

3:37 Varun’s family business in India

7:25 Transition after school and progression in the family business before moving to Australia

14:35 Arrival in Australia and first job experience

16:25 Early plans in Australia, studies, first jobs, and future expectations

19:07 Progression from early jobs to discovering entrepreneurial drive

27:29 Overcoming landlord challenges during kiosk fit-out

28:45 Opening the Wetherill Park kiosk and differences in trading between India and Australia

31:36 Standing out early and achieving profitability faster than expected

33:03 Expanding beyond the first store and the vision for adding more locations

40:20 Scaling from 12 stores in Sydney to 60+ nationwide through strong team management

41:55 Growing to 25 stores without a set plan and continuing expansion after partnership changes

45:27 Decision-making process on future growth and long-term planning

51:56 Wrap Up

Podcast Produced by: www.franchisebusinesshub.com.au

Listen or Watch on;

Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/2nb3ec8k

Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/yv43zf5k

Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/nh2w7v94

YouTube: https://youtu.be/0xPB8cbCTg4

Phil Cronin and Darren Schultz co-founded Stellarossa in 2009, starting as a small espresso bar in Brisbane City before growing it into a well-recognised cafe brand across Queensland. Today, Stellarossa operates with three main models — kiosks, traditional cafes, and drive-throughs each adapted to suit local communities.

With a focus on flexibility, the brand’s menu system combines core items with elective options, allowing franchisees to tailor their offerings to regional tastes while maintaining consistency. Their franchise model features competitive fees, strong supplier partnerships, and encouragement of local sourcing to strengthen community connections.

Phil and Darren also emphasise the importance of store design innovation, giving each cafe its own identity while keeping the Stellarossa brand thread intact. A standout growth strategy is their concept of “Stellarizing” rebranding existing independent cafes into the Stellarossa system to lower entry costs and accelerate expansion.

Built on innovation, operational support, and a people-first approach, Stellarossa continues to evolve its franchise business model, creating opportunities for both franchise partners and local communities.

0:00 Introduction

1:03 Overview of the Stellarossa brand

2:47 The three main store models in Stellarossa

3:58 Managing menu variations across different Stellarossa store models

5:45 Coordinating menu rollouts with franchisees through core items and elective choices

8:26 Managing costs, margins, and franchise fee structure across menu items

10:14: Relationships with shopping centres and support for local stores

11:41 Typical menu size per store and elective menu options

13:04 Head office supply of coffee products and contracted bulk suppliers through PFD

15:23 Store design and innovation

18:07 The concept of “Stellarize” and its role in innovation

22:42 Wrap up

Podcast Produced by: www.franchisebusinesshub.com.au

Listen or Watch on;

Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/pn8xcfp2

Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/k23eu2w8

Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/mwk2wzmz

YouTube: https://youtu.be/gzfssbsIDGQ

Tom Elliott, CEO, and Alison Ossendryver, COO, are steering Hogs Breath Café through a period of renewal after challenging years for the industry. With Tom just four months into the role, the brand is seeing green shoots of recovery, including double-digit same-store sales growth, and is focused on capturing market share through strategic planning into FY26.

Leveraging a new centralised data dashboard, they’re enabling franchisees to benchmark performance, identify trends, and collaborate on solutions that lift profitability across the network.

Alison, with over two decades in the business, highlights the evolution of training programs, operational efficiencies, and technology adoption all while keeping the signature prime rib at the heart of the menu.

Hog's Breath offers a flexible ownership model, welcoming both hands-on operators and investors, supported by tailored franchise and manager training programs. Looking ahead, the brand is investing in tech integration, kitchen and roster management tools, and a bar-led revival to boost beverage sales and enhance the customer experience, positioning itself for sustainable growth in a competitive market.

0:00 Introduction

0:27 Hog's Breath challenges in recent years

1:42 Rolling out growth plans with a focus on unit economics and top-line sales performance

3:50 Using system-wide data and rankings to drive collaboration, problem-solving, and improved franchise profitability

6:22 Evolving menu and preparation methods while maintaining prime rib as the brand’s signature offering

8:32 Flexible training programs tailored to prior experience, ensuring franchise partners start strong

10:40 Overview of franchise entry costs and ongoing fee structure

14:35 Free six-week manager training program combining hands-on, online learning, and ongoing support

15:37 Consistent communication approach with both investors and owner-operators, focusing on the people-first principle

17:08 Future vision for Hog’s Breath with tech integration and a bar-led revival to boost beverage sales

19:32 Wrap up

Podcast Produced by: www.franchisebusinesshub.com.au

Listen or Watch on;

Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/cpv6cpzv

Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/mu28sxm8

Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/4p835hed

YouTube: https://youtu.be/27PkOWiSU8M

Chey Simpson is a franchise partner of Urban Clean in North Brisbane.

Originally from the Philippines, Chey moved to Australia in 2018 and began her journey working in a small embroidery business. Despite being closely connected to Urban Clean, her husband Kirk is the General Manager, she initially lacked the confidence to run a business of her own.

Over time, exposure to the business and encouragement from her husband sparked the belief that she could do it. In 2020, Chey took on her own Urban Clean franchise, starting with no cleaning experience and just a few contracts. She handled most of the work herself in the early stages, gradually building confidence through direct customer interaction and learning from her mistakes.

Today, Chey manages a growing commercial cleaning business with over $20,000 in monthly contracts and a reliable team of cleaners. She plays an active role in operations, customer service, and quality control, while also managing additional income through supply logistics.

Looking ahead, Chey aims to double or triple the size of her business, expand her team, and eventually step back from the day-to-day operations. Her story is one of determination, steady growth, and belief in following the systems that support franchise success.

0:00 Introduction

2:35 Chey's first impression in Australia

3:54 Speaking English was the hardest part of Chey when moving to Australia

5:18 Worked in an embroidery business before starting with Urban Clean

7:42 Started the business with doubts, no cleaning experience, and only a few clients

8:34 The hardest adjustment when starting the Urban Clean franchise and learning the business

9:48 The key elements to success in an urban cleaning franchise

10:44 Transitioning from doing the cleaning to managing a team and gaining more time off

11:58 What Chey’s day looks like with a growing team and over $20,000 in contracts

13:46 Chey’s growth plans for Urban Clean, and when to bring in more staff as contract volume increases

15:40 Typical workday hours in an Urban Clean commercial franchise

17:52 Advice on what it takes to be successful in an Urban Clean commercial cleaning franchise

19:23 Wrap up

Podcast Produced by: www.franchisebusinesshub.com.au

Listen or Watch on;

Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/4cz3y3t9

Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/vj4xrwab

Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/4eaz3zb6

YouTube: https://youtu.be/VKTDqNyD6-M

Shirley Chan is the first-ever franchise owner of HIIT Pilates, launching her studio in Surry Hills while still working full-time as a chartered accountant.

With a background in finance and international experience in Toronto and London, Shirley never imagined she’d find herself in the fitness industry, let alone owning a Pilates studio. But a long-standing connection with HIIT Pilates founder Carla Sconce, and a personal decision to try something new, set her on a very different path.

After completing the HIIT Pilates Academy training, Shirley began teaching on weekends while juggling her demanding career. What started as a side interest soon evolved into a serious conversation about franchising. Over the course of a year, she and Carla worked through the details, location, setup, support and eventually launched the first HIIT Pilates franchise in early January 2025.

In this episode, Shirley shares the full journey from training and startup challenges to marketing her studio, building community, and learning on the fly. She talks openly about time management, the benefits of a franchise model, and her long-term vision to grow into multiple studios with a strong team around her.

This is a real and relatable story about starting something new, backed by belief, structure, and plenty of late nights.

0:00 Introduction

1:14 What is HIIT Pilates

2:43 How Shirley discovered Pilates and met Carla Sconce, the founder

5:37 Studying commerce, becoming a chartered accountant, and moving abroad to Toronto and London

8:32 Discovering the HIIT Pilates Academy on Facebook and signing up to become an instructor while working full-time

11:12 Becoming an instructor without a set plan and how Carla’s support built her teaching confidence

13:51 Sharing her dream of owning a studio on day one of training and balancing teaching with a full-time career

16:36 No franchising background, learning the ropes, and a year-long conversation with Carla before opening her studio

18:30 Balancing full-time work with running a business and the importance of support from Carla and family

20:08 Benefits of franchising versus starting from scratch and the journey to finding the right studio location

24:25 Finding a creative outlet through marketing and building community in the studio

26:10 Shirley's vision for the future, growing to multiple studios and building a strong team

27:12 Wrap up

Podcast Produced by: www.franchisebusinesshub.com.au

Listen or Watch on;

Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/2rwu2sb4

Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/2ks9e8hv

Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/y52428k4

YouTube: https://youtu.be/ifboXH9QUCI

Greg Nathan is the founder of the Franchise Relationships Institute and author of the influential book Profitable Partnerships, a cornerstone resource for franchisors and franchisees around the world.

Originally trained as a psychologist, Greg entered the franchising world as both a franchisee and later a franchisor executive, where he saw firsthand the emotional and relational challenges within franchise networks. These experiences led him to write Profitable Partnerships in 1999, a book that has since sold over 250,000 copies globally and remains a go-to guide for building strong franchise relationships.

In this episode, he shares how franchise companies still use it in training and induction, and how his approach to delivering workshops both in person and online has evolved with the times.

From the psychology of stress and change to the importance of down-to-earth communication, Greg’s work continues to shape how franchise brands foster trust, empathy, and collaboration across their networks.

With his trademark clarity and care, Greg reminds us that great franchise systems are built not just on operations but on relationships.

📘 Profitable Partnerships is available here:

🌐 franchiserelationships.com

🛒 Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/mse4k6zb

0:00 Introduction

1:03 When the Profitable Partnership book was written

2:52 The broad themes of Profitable Partnerships book and why they resonate in franchising

3:56 Challenging the old view of stress as a strength in franchising

5:45 Helping franchise partners manage rapid change and technology shifts

7:00 Why Profitable Partnerships book still resonates with franchisors and franchisees

8:27 How Profitable Partnerships is used 25 years after it was written

9:39 Teaching franchisees practical tools for stress and relationship management in franchising

10:44 How technology changed the way Profitable Partnerships training is delivered

12:10 Wrap up

Podcast Produced by: www.franchisebusinesshub.com.au

Listen or Watch on;

Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/2ajdu5r5

Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/5xbe7jm9

Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/ykwje9cj

YouTube: https://youtu.be/wPntzl7zTh4