in Small Business
Issue No. 3 - December/ 2001/january
Oven Fresh Opportunity
David McLaren calls himself a “really bad car mechanic, but a much better sheet metal fabricator” and freely admits his experience as a baker is, well, limited. However, his history as general manager and CEO of steel fabricating firms has acquainted him very well with the processes needed to run a retail service business effectively.
It was passion for running his own show that induced David to give up his consultancy practice “to do something for myself for a change” when the opportunity came up to take over development of the Brumby’s chain of bakery outlets in South Australia.
David was not interested in growing a stand—alone business. He was attracted to the Brumby’s franchise arrangement, and by the brand’s potential for growth here.
“When I did the due diligence I found I had more confidence in Brumby’s procedures than I had in other franchise opportunities. They also offered a broader range of products and services to customers,” David says. “There were only two stores in SA, but 245 in the rest of Australia.”
Brumby’s growth in SA was suspended pending resolution of a legal dispute over the name. That barrier was removed last year.
“Having worked with successful businesses varying in size from mom and dad businesses to Colliers Jardine, it has struck me that each of those businesses has set up procedures and processes so well that a really well trained gorilla could come in and run things,” David ...
