Snap Circular Quay has capped off a big year by taking out Franchise of the Year at the Snap Awards, as well as having the most sales in the group.
As Australia’s biggest franchise print shop, the Sydney CBD business has a turnover of $3.5m and grew six per cent last financial year.
Owner Richard Cook was given the Paddy Thompson Award trophy, judged on a franchise’s sales, commitment to Snap and the transformation strategy, Snap citizenship, and teamwork.
[Related: More franchise print news]
Cook, who brought the franchise back from the brink after buying it out of administration only three years ago, says the business uses speed and service to stand out in the cutthroat inner-city market.
"We try to be responsive and proactive both in selling print to our clients, and delivering products to them quickly,” he says.
“All digital print is on demand so we need to be on demand about everything we do – be it answering the phone, quotes, or turnaround – or we will not be successful.
“Digital print is also more service-driven than other kinds so you have to be on top of your game when there is so much competition.”
CBD franchises dominated the state sales awards, with all but the WA winner, located in the industrial hub of Osbourne Park, being flagship stores in the heart of major cities.
Wollongong was to top-selling regional franchise, while the outer Perth store Snap Armadale had the most non-print sales as the group attempts to aggressively diversify.
Leading owners were also honoured as individuals with Wes Pritchard at Snap Southport named the best new franchisee, Mark Kennedy, owner of three WA stores the best multi-store franchisee, and Peter and Margaret Spencer of Snap Norwest inducted into the hall of fame.
Brian Thompson, former owner of multiple WA stores, was given a lifetime achievement award after a 35-year Snap career. Snap chief executive Stephen Edwards thanked Thompson for ‘his continual support’.
“Brian has been with the Snap family for an impressive 35 years and always shows great passion and commitment,” he said on the night.
The sales winners will head to Tahiti later in the year, with next year’s going to Cambodia.
Full list of winners:
Sales Achievement Award
State Winners:
NSW – Snap Circular Quay
WA – Snap Osborne Park
VIC – Snap West Melbourne
QLD – Snap Brisbane, Queen St
SA – Snap Adelaide, Flinders St
National Winner: Snap Circular Quay
Regional Sales Achievement Award: Snap Wollongong
Non Print Sales Award: Snap Armadale
Sales Person of the Year:
Damien Cook – Snap Silverwater
Paolo Castellazzi – Snap Docklands
Movers and Shakers:
Snap Darlinghurst
Snap Maddington
Snap Lilydale
Snap Lonsdale
Snap Ipswich
Community Achievement Award:
Patrick Almanci – Snap Wagga Wagga
New Franchise Owner of the year: Wes Pritchard – Snap Southport
Multi Franchise Owner of the year: Mark Kennedy – Snap Perth, St Georges Tce & Kalgoorlie
Hall of Fame Inductee: Peter & Margaret Spencer – Snap Norwest
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