Perth business owners are seeking ways to grow their enterprise in surging numbers, according to a leading franchising consultancy.  

Franchise Alliance WA state manager Mark Fernandez said the group had an overwhelming response to a recent information seminar.  

“We’ve held regular information seminars for more than five years now and with the boom in mining the past two or three years attendance numbers have been good but our May seminar attracted the kind of numbers that we were seeing before the boom, which I would say is a direct result of unsteady economic times,” he said.  

“The people coming to hear about the possibilities of franchising were local business owners who wanted to expand their business and see the current downturn in the economic climate as an opportunity to develop their business, and a great time to franchise.”  

Fernandez said enquiries to the Franchise Alliance office and via the website since the beginning of the year were up by 15 percent compared to the same period last year.  

“We’re now at the beginning of the next surge in franchising, because flow-on effects of an economic downturn helped to create a safer haven for opportunities for these businesses,” he said.  

“Rather than going it alone, a franchise offers the security of an umbrella company, so those based on a solid model now have a unique opportunity to grow their market share, which is what we’re suggesting our clients do.  

“One of the major factors helping franchises thrive in an economic slowdown like this, is the growing pool of quality, motivated people – as job uncertainty and unemployment rise people start to look at their options and make moves to be their own boss or realize business visions.  

“Consumers also start to create a great opportunity for franchises – in tight economic times, consumers are more discerning with their spare dollars and revert to trusted brands.”  

* The Perth Franchising and Business Opportunities Expo runs at the Perth Convention Exhibition Centre from Saturday 23 May (10am to 5pm) to Sunday 24 May (10am to 4pm). Check out www.franchisingexpo.com.au for your free ticket.

See the latest issue of Franchising magazine, the July/August edition, for a preview of the expo.