Two food treat franchises within Allied Brands, Baskin Robbins and Cookie Man, have appointed an external company to handle their property searches and franchisee recruitment in Victoria as part of a major expansion into the state.

Brand manager for both Cookie Man and Baskin Robbins, Jack Sakalis, told Franchising "We're just trialling this in Victoria. We've come up with an area development manager concept and there is a fair bit of experience in that group so we want to see what they can bring to the table."

The Victorian market remains relatively unknown for the two brands but recent openings in Chadstone and Moorabbin have been "very healthy" said Sakalis and the developments will expand on this success.

Combining the two brand offers on one site creates all day customer demand with coffee a morning favourite and ice-cream most popular in the afternoon hours, said Sakalis, and this linking of brands will be the major approach in Victoria.

Brought on to jointly head the just launched recruitment business Retail Sales Company, director Gill Gialamatzis told Franchising up to 80 percent of the business is expected to come from the franchise sector.

The Retail Sales Company is a sister business to the Retail Property Company which has a fully licensed real estate agent as a director.

Gialamatzis said "We can do either property or recruitment but we prefer to offer a package. Retailers are very keen to have them connected."

Gialamatzis brings to her role experience in Bakers Delight and Trampoline Gelato.