Sydney-based bakery cafe, Pie Face, has experienced record franchising activity and store growth since beginning its franchising program.

The food retailer now has 22 stores open and another 14 confirmed to open in the first six months of this year. It expects to open approximately 30 stores in the whole of 2010.

"Since commencing our franchising program in June 2009, we have received over 800 franchise inquiries, and signed 18 new franchises," said Pie Face CEO, Wayne Homschek. "In addition, we have seven to 10 deals pending which should bring total deals signed since June 2009 to approximately 25. In December and November alone we received over 300 inquiries, and are on track to generate over 100 inquiries in January".

Pie Face was founded in 2003 and grew to 19 company-owned stores before moving to the franchising business model. As well as having its own central production facility, it has also founded its own cold storage and distribution facility and signed distribution arrangements with various national and state-based food distributors to distribute its pre-cooked frozen and fresh products.

"Feedback from potential franchisees has been extremely encouraging," Homschek said. "They like our business model and excellent economics. They like the way we operate in a very transparent way. But most of all they believe in our food, product and service offering."