franchise.co.nz – PUTTING PEOPLE IN BUSINESS
13
Albert Yee describes himself as a bit of a gasbag, loving nothing more than
a good yarn with his customers. But the LynnMall franchisee was struggling
for words when he found himself the recipient of Muffin Break’s New Zealand
Franchisee of the Year award for the second time in a row. The 2026 award
was presented to Albert at a gala dinner at the recent Foodco Conference in
Sydney, with 400+ delegates in attendance. “It certainly was a surprise,” he
admits, “I thought I’d had my turn.”
A fourth-generation Kiwi, born and bred in Auckland, Albert and his young
family spent many years living and working from Hong Kong, with Albert’s
IT job taking him all around the world. Eventually, a passion for baking saw
him take a series of courses in cordon bleu cooking, qualifying as a
patisserie chef.
A love of people
When the time came to return to New Zealand, Albert considered several
franchise business opportunities in hospitality, but found things really clicked
when he sat down to talk with the Foodco team. Foodco New Zealand
operate both the Muffin Break and Jamaica Blue franchises in this country.
Albert says he particularly valued their focus on product, processes and
systems to help him get started in the business.
“The Foodco business coaches are like operations managers – they really
understand the practicalities of the business and are always there for us to
reach out to. But the main attraction of hospitality for me is the people. We
get to meet a lot of different people in the community, and my whole team
works hard to make them feel as comfortable and welcome as possible.
I have some very loyal staff who have been with me for three or four years.
I think people know when you are genuinely interested and they
really reciprocate.”
Most days of the week, Albert starts work at 6.30am in his LynnMall Muffin
Break store, getting things ready for opening alongside the baker and putting
in some quality customer chatting time. Around midday, he then heads on
over to his Jamaica Blue franchise in Ponsonby and helps with the operations
and front of house there too.
“I did have another Muffin Break franchise in Henderson, but I sold that
one a few years ago to focus more on LynnMall. I think it is very important
to be a hands-on business owner – you can’t manage things from behind a
camera or get that buzz that comes from developing real relationships with
your customers.”
Pete Hartley, general manager of Foodco New Zealand, says, “Albert is an
incredibly valuable member of our franchisee community and one of the
most genuine and pleasant people you could encounter. He owns two sites
across both our brands, is a member of the Franchisee Executive Committee
(FEC) and most importantly has a deep affection for people – his own team
in whom he fosters a culture of trust and care, and his customers. Albert is
well regarded by the team at Foodco and was truly deserving of the 2026
Franchisee of the Year Award.”
A genuine icon
For three decades, the smell of fresh-
baked muffins, scones, and pastries at
Muffin Break Riccarton has had one
constant behind it: Andrew Smith,
affectionately known to staff, customers,
and fellow bakers simply as ‘Smithy’. This
year, Andrew celebrates an extraordinary
milestone – 30 years as a full-time baker
at the same store, a feat that has made
him a genuine icon of both the Riccarton
and Foodco New Zealand communities.
After establishing himself within the
bakery industry, Andrew offered to step
in to help at Muffin Break Riccarton when an existing team member was
off through an injury, never expecting that this short-term favour would turn
into a lifelong career. What began as a temporary fix turned into thirty years
of early mornings, warm ovens, and a steady stream of fresh baking that
Riccarton locals have come to rely on and love.
A workplace romance
Muffin Break Riccarton didn’t just give Andrew a career – it also gave him
his family. During his years at the store, he met Donna, who was working
elsewhere within the same mall. The two hit it off, and their relationship
blossomed alongside Andrew’s growing expertise behind the oven.
Andrew and Donna went on to marry and now have three children together,
making Muffin Break Riccarton not just a workplace, but the setting where
Andrew’s family story truly began.
Valued craftsman
Over 30 years, Andrew has baked for five different franchisees at Riccarton,
through changing trends, new store layouts, generations of customers, and
countless early mornings. His expertise has also been highly valued by the
team at Foodco New Zealand. Andrew helps set the standard for Muffin
Break baking and has been instrumental in product and menu development
for the whole franchise.
Pete Hartley says that Andrew
Smith’s dedication reflects a rare
kind of loyalty and craftsmanship
– showing up, day after day, for
three decades, and building both a
career and a family along the way.
“Congratulations, Andrew – here’s
to thirty remarkable years, and the
many more to come.”
Foodco New Zealand celebrates two
remarkable Muffin Break personalities
GENUINE
INTEREST
Opportunity: Food & Beverage
Muffin Break & Jamaica Blue
www.jamaicablue.co.nz
www.muffinbreak.co.nz
Contact
Pete Hartley
027 772 2257
phartley@foodco.co.nz
Advertiser Info
Pete Hartley and Andrew Smith
Left to right: Pete Hartley - General Manager of Foodco
New Zealand, Albert Yee - Muffin Break Lynmall and NZ ‘s
Franchisee of the Year, Richard Goodman - CEO of Foodco Group