20
Franchise New Zealand Spring 2024 Year 33 Issue 03
More than just selling product
Franchisees do more than sell product, Chris says. “We deliver and
merchandise products, which can take seven days a week supplying our
customers in tourist hot spots. This shows that, depending on territory
size and demand, having decent storage space is a must – effective
stock control is an important part of being a Cookie Time franchisee.
“It says a lot about Cookie Time that
that there are so many long-term
franchisees, some having been
involved for more than 20 years.
More than a few have now reached
ages where they are looking at
selling their territories, making this
an ideal time to contact franchise
manager Dawn Cleary, wherever you
are in New Zealand.”
nown, loved and munched throughout New Zealand, Cookie Time’s
iconic large Original Chocolate Chunk Cookie has always had family
as a key ingredient. Founded by brothers, Cookie Time was launched
with the delivery of 70 jars of cookies to 70 Christchurch dairies on 7
February 1983. From that day on, Cookie Time has stayed true to its
vision – a taste for every occasion, a smile on every face.
In return, families have shown their support of Cookie Time, New
Zealand’s top selling and most trusted cookies brand. This brand status
has been sealed as multiple, ongoing winner of the Reader’s Digest Most
Trusted Brands cookie category.
Family is also to the fore for Chris Rhoades. He and his twin sons,
Tim and Tony, were named 2023 Franchisee of the Year. Prior to the
pandemic, the Rhoades were also named Franchisee of the Year, three
years in a row.
Operating in an area that stretches from Te Anau throughout Central
Otago, taking in some of New Zealand’s most popular tourist
destinations such as Queenstown, Chris has been a Cookie Time
franchisee for 10 years. The proud dad says that, approaching 60 years
old, he couldn’t have managed the large territory, let alone achieved
Franchisee of the Year, without the twins.
Although Chris had a long career in FMCG, it’s not a prerequisite to
becoming a Cookie Time franchise, he says. Before he and wife Trudy
moved into Central Otago, Chris had spent 12 years at Cookie Time’s
head office. The first two were spent in supermarket and service stations
relations, before 10 years as Cookie Time’s franchise manager.
A margin on every item sold
“Having been franchise manager, I went into the Cookie Time franchisee
training thinking I knew it all. I was so wrong! Really, I can’t speak highly
enough of the training and training staff,” says Chris.
Territories typically range from $100,000 to $150,000 including goodwill,
admin fee, van purchase and office equipment. With income earned as
a margin on every item sold, it’s a straightforward business to run, Chris
says. But knowing, understanding and following long-developed Cookie
Time processes and procedures is the key to success.
“For the first three years, I ran the territory on my own,” he says. “Then,
seven years ago, when Tim said he’d like to join me, I welcomed him with
open arms.” Tony followed two and half years later.
“Although I’m essentially the territory master franchisee, Tim and Tony
have their own franchisee agreements with Cookie Time. This ensures
their involvement is recognised and appropriately rewarded.”
So, what exactly does a Cookie Time franchisee do?
“When asked this question, I start by explaining that anywhere food
is sold is either a Cookie Time customer or a potential one,” he says.
“We represent all Cookie Time cookies, plus other brands that are part
of the Group portfolio. These include OSM, the world-first nutritionally
balanced bar, Bumper and Em’s Power Cookies and bars.”
This adds up to around 80 separate products, plus one-off products and
involvement in the annual Cookie Time Christmas Cookies campaign.
Cookie Time
www.cookietime.co.nz
Contact
Dawn Cleary
027 235 0835
dawn.cleary@cookietime.co.nz
Advertiser Info
xxx
Long-term franchisee encourages
others to take a bite at the big time!
FAMILY
FIRST
Cookie Time’s Samantha Pollock,
Chris Rhoades and Dawn Cleary
Opportunity: Food & Beverage