What will you do with your life this year? Opportunities to invest in your own business are aplenty at the Sydney Franchising and Business Opportunities Expo which takes place from Friday 20 March to Sunday 22 March at Darling Harbour's Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Whether you are just starting to think about putting money into your own business to direct your future, or you have studied the market and are armed with essential questions to put to some targeted companies, visiting a franchising exhibition gives you the opportunity to survey what's on offer without any commitment. It's a chance to drop in on the advice centre and avail yourself of some free guidance from legal and business experts, to hear from franchisees themselves in the daily Bootcamp sessions just what running a franchise is really like, and to see how franchisors perform when they want your business.

Here is just a taster of what you will find:

Retail food:

Michel's Patisserie, Brumbys, Donut King: this trio of successful food retail franchises will be promoting their brands on one company booth. The Retail Food Group's national sales co-ordination manager Faith Manning explains visitors can expect a good vibe at the stand. "We have a fantastic sales team, all from within the company, there will be plasma TV and something to keep the kids happy; last year we had colouring competitions and gave away prizes with a daily draw."

The group will be promoting its latest venture; the Brumby's Go franchise which is aimed at the lunchtime trade. These stores take Brumby's fresh bread and make sandwiches, baguettes and filled rolls and serve them up alongside hot savoury products, coffee and cold drinks. "It's cheaper to go out for breakfast and lunch than to go out to dinner," says Manning.

Donut King, which has survived three recessions, has introduced its adult focused Sensations product and Michel's has a new marketing initiative for this year with both ventures expected to assist growth within the brands. "We need to grow the brands but also look at existing franchisees' sales," explains Manning. And last year a Pump Up The Volume incentivising program aimed to increase each store's average sale through training. Winning franchisees and business development managers enjoyed trips to Fiji. Vending:

RP Vending Systems has more than 1000 owner operators throughout Australia and New Zealand, attracted by the opportunity to work flexible hours and sustain minimal overheads. The company is again presenting its business and products at the Sydney show this year, with a touch of European flair courtesy of the new Italian-made FAS Krystal Vendor. The Perla coffee solution is a compact and contemporary model which will also be on show

"Major companies and multinationals are now approaching us for a one stop shop vending solution for their staff and customers - provided free of charge to them by our owner operators," explains director Rod Austin. Interested potential franchisees will want to find out more about managing a vending system; for instance, the company's Back to Base software will show how to remotely monitor stock movement in vending machines using the internet. Of course all franchisees need training in systems, and for RP Vending training is comprehensive and mentoring ongoing. Because owner operators can employ a 100 per cent mark up and there are no leases or contracts Austin explains return on investment is about 50 per cent.

"You have complete control and autonomy of your capital equipment from day one when the cash starts to flow in," he says. "And RP Vending owner operators retain 100 per cent of their profits as we do not charge any ongoing royalties on franchise fees."

Packages start from about $30,000, a start-up price which includes several vending machines in custom-found locations in the area you choose. "Since vending is about volume, we have found that our most profitable operators purchase a package of at least five machines to get them started in this business and it doesn't take long for them to add on more as new sites and opportunities are offered to them," says Austin.

In addition there will be special incentives available if purchases are made at the expo.

Convenience:

Turn up to the Sydney Expo and pay a visit to Star Mart. That's right, the Caltex convenience store is a franchise business and the highlights of this retail experience will be showcased at the first expo of the year (the brand is committed to exhibiting at all four exhibitions around the country in 2009). Benjamin Galton, franchise development manager for Caltex, says the island location at the expo will help Star Mart build brand awareness.

"We want to be recreating a Star Mart environment, showcasing the key elements of the offer. The stand is very open and has an emphasis on freshness," he says. Look out for vibrant colour, plasma TV screens, some products and equipment. For a mature network of 562 retail outlets, franchisee entry comes predominantly through transfers of existing franchises rather than Greenfield opportunities although Caltex has plans for some new builds this year.

The comfort of an existing business is a bonus for a new franchisee says Galton. The comfort factor is supported by 2008 sales figures favourably compared to 2007 with an average four per cent growth for same store sales in a tough climate; this year the focus continues on growth through expansion of new offers. Differentials include the integrated bakery, and coffee serving at front of store, which is a heavy investment for Caltex.

Since mid 2008 the company has been promoting the franchising side of the offer with advertising through Franchising magazine and with an online presence. And Galton says the investment in the Star Mart brand will continue as this convenience arm of the Caltex business is bringing in the returns. Leadership:

Everyone exhibiting at an expo takes a stand to boost their exposure, whether it's for a new brand wanting to make its mark, or an established name looking to maintain its position in the marketplace, and to look for new franchisees, of course. Leadership Management Australia's Peter Hosie explains: "We believe we are in a relatively strong economy and most companies that disappeared in the 1987 crash were working in very confined markets." Businesses that survive are servicing a growing market, he says, and pinpoints the leadership management field as one such arena.

"When the going gets tough, companies spend money on their people to ensure they keep them. We are in growth mode." Now with 39 licensees in Australia the global brand with a head office in Texas has been doing business for 35 years. Hosie is keen to point out that for every licensee signed up the company invests $90,000 to $120,000. "It's a joint investment. We want to see someone who has a good fit because it's two years before we make any money."

Licensees for the system can be sourced from any background with non-sales people as likely to be appointed as those with sales experience. "It's a fairly rigid process; we're looking for licensees, for people who want to buy a business that's sustainable. We want them to employ a business development manager, a coach, an account manager; we want them to be able to see the future."

The focus on the stand, says Hosie, is talking. "We ask people about what they want to do next; we're not about collecting names at a franchising show."

Once signed up for a three year licence with an automatic renewal, licensees are likely to find small and medium sized businesses as their core clients, although client businesses can range from those employing just two staff to multinationals. The licensee builds a relationship with a company by working with just two to four people; setting goals and measuring results, whether these are revenue, communication or productivity based.

"Our biggest selling point is a money back guarantee on results," explains Hosie. The courses are run over weeks and months, with incremental steps taken. Then the focus can move to the rest of the company, he says.

Education:

Love kids, love teaching but can't stand the rest of the package that comes with school teaching today? That's the question being asked of teachers in search of a franchise by Sean Gordon, national sales manager of theKip McGrath educational franchise. Teachers wanting a change of pace and lifestyle can keep their school holidays, stay on the same pay or make more, work four nights a week and be free from the playground duty, school politics and poor morale that can undermine them, he explains.

"They can leverage their time too," he says. "Teachers are generally fairly conservative and franchising offers them some security. You don't have to dream up the insurance package, the occupational health and safety and so on."

Acknowledging that at least 90 per cent of the visitors at a franchise expo will not be interested or eligible for a teaching franchise, Gordon still sees the exposure as a great way of brand building and of finding franchisees. The brand has been around for 30 years and although it is often thought to be American, it is home grown Aussie. "It's a great Australian story. Kip McGrath set up in franchising when it was not really known," reveals Gordon.

Surviving for three decades has involved riding the storms of three recessions and not just coming out the other side, but emerging stronger. "People often have the notion that tutoring might be an extra option but when times are tough parents want to know their kids will get a job. They make sacrifices to ensure they get the teaching they need."

The franchise has a broad age clientele, from six to 16, but concentrates on teaching maths and English, a point that stands it in good stead with the current focus on literacy and numeracy, Gordon says. There are now 170 centres across Australia but he reveals that the company has been re-mapping some territories, understanding that the core business comes from clients up to 15 minutes drive away from a centre.

Reorganising the areas to build new business in previously underdeveloped areas is good for the whole brand, he says. It creates a stronger awareness of the name and allows franchisees to group together and conduct local media campaigns on TV or radio because of their combined buying power.

With a purchase price of $30,000 to $55,000 the franchise is a "drive away, no more to pay" package, says Gordon, with the cost including fit-out and a grand opening. And there's no extra to pay when the six year term is renewed.

Sweet treat:

Toby Lawrence, Wendy's chief operating officer, is keen to explain why the food retailer, which celebrates three decades in business this year, is showcasing its franchise at the Sydney Expo. "We have a revitalised brand and we're excited about the refurbishments and new stores which will have new product packaging, new uniforms and signs, and the new breakfast menu."

Wendy's launched its Brekky menu in early February to tempt shoppers and other on-the-road breakfast eaters with a choice that includes muesli topped smoothies, frozen yoghurts, waffles, raisin toast, a frankfurter in a roll and a cheesy bacon omelette. Creating a morning trade with a fresh menu means franchisees have an extra opportunity to build sales, although the inexpensive cost of its menu offer will continue to serve Wendy's franchisees well, explains Lawrence. "Ice cream is a simple treat and it's cheap to pick up an ice cream or a shake."

In the current economy the company is ensuring existing stores are well-equipped because profitability is paramount, says Lawrence. "Our same sales are great. A downturn presents opportunities for outstanding retailing and excellent customer service."

However, while the chain continues to support current franchisees with its field and communication teams, and provide new sales opportunities, opening up to 15 new stores this year is in the plan.

And visitors to the expo will find out from franchisees themselves what the real story is at Wendy's. Star franchisee Linda Robinson, who attended the Melbourne show last year, will be on the stand to share her experiences with potential franchisees. As Lawrence says, "Asking the real questions is critical. Transparency is key."

Facility management services:

Minc Services is a full facility management service, a one-stop shop for property maintenance and cleaning services that removes the hassle of screening tradespeople. There's a one-call customer service centre operating seven days a week, 24 hours a day. The business has been established for 11 years and has 28 franchisees - the investment cost now is from $20,000 + GST.

The company exhibited at the expo some years ago and this resulted in the opening of the Sydney North West branch, says Julie Olejnik, marketing manager. "Our new Sydney North South branch opened in recent months and this expo is a good vehicle to promote our franchise network, gain exposure for our branches, meet prospective customers and attract trade franchisees who wish to own their own businesses under the Minc umbrella. "We believe that the franchise environment is improving, and whereas we feel the Minc franchise model is ideal in good times, it is even more so in challenging business environments."

Bookkeeping:

For keen number-crunchers, First Class Accountsoffers opportunities across Australia for senior accountants and bookkeepers. It already has more than 140 franchises nationwide who share the common passion of allowing the numbers to tell the story for their clients, explains Michelle Macfarlane, franchise business manager. "Many of our franchisees offer reporting structures and analytical synopsis to their clients," she says.

"We believe the success of First Class Accounts franchisees lies in the quality of our initial and on-going training, mentoring program and one on one business coaching program which are under pinned by our systems that provide our franchisees with the guidance and support at every stage of their businesses development."

Being passionate about the brand is a mark of a First Class Accounts franchisee, she says, with relationship building part of the growth of the business. "We test and measure our brand's promise on a regular basis. The First Class Accounts national office team conducts quality control reviews with all of its franchisees. We survey our network to ascertain what areas of our partnership could benefit from further development and improved tooling. These findings ultimately provide our network with a stronger technical offering for their clients while sharpening the skills of our franchisees as business owners."

Expect training, bookkeeping leads, a kick-start marketing program, access to a mentor and to state and national events, and right now a payment plan which includes a small upfront entry fee of $9600 with the final balance due at the end of 2010.

Says Macfarlane: "The Sydney area is an incredible market for us with many new franchisees establishing their dream businesses in and around Sydney. The Sydney Expo in particular has given us a platform to secure some very talented franchisees which have developed into long-term rewarding business partnerships.

"We expect this year's event to be particularly successful with even more opportunities for people wanting to invest in themselves." The company will also be showcasing another division of its business, Fifo Capital, a business-to-business single invoice factoring service

Don't forget to visit Franchising magazine at the Franchising Networking Lounge!