Your Contribution: Fuelling Change for Franchisees
By becoming a member and supporting us, you play a crucial role in enabling AAF to advocate for franchisees effectively. Your contribution directly supports our efforts to champion franchisee rights and influence legislative changes. This is particularly important during the current Code of Conduct Review, where we have a prime opportunity to drive meaningful change. Your membership empowers us to stand up for franchisees and create a fairer franchising environment.
The Australian Association of Franchisees: Championing Franchisee Rights
Our primary mission at the Australian Association of Franchisees (AAF) is to serve as a unified voice for franchisees. This encompasses various aspects, from advocating for specific regulatory improvements such as the Franchising Code, to addressing broader policy issues like competition, taxation, and legislation on unfair contract terms.
Empowering Franchisees through Support
In addition to being your voice, our secondary objective is to provide franchisees with the essential support they require. This support spans a range of areas, including understanding your rights and responsibilities, managing disputes with your franchisor, and even coordinating and representing groups of franchisees in complex, multi-party disputes.
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As AAF continues to evolve, we're committed to expanding our support services. This will include assistance in matters like staff recruitment, contract management, addressing performance challenges, and providing cost-effective advisory services in both commercial and legal domains. We are also exploring opportunities for volume purchase discounts on various products and services.
How AAF Supports Franchisees
AAF actively represents franchisees in multiple capacities. As a member of the ACCC Small Business and Franchising Committee, we are able directly influence the development of the franchise code. Our robust relationship with the Australian Small Business and Franchising Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO) enables us to prosecute disputes and investigate questionable franchisor behaviour.
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Thanks to our pivotal role, we also enjoy privileged access to Government Ministers and senior policy makers, allowing us to advocate for franchisees in various forums and policy discussions.
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As we expand our capacity and membership base, our commitment to supporting franchisees will extend to a comprehensive range of services.
Why Join and Support AAF
Franchising, in its current state, poses substantial challenges for franchisees. The existing franchising code offers minimal protection, leaving franchisees with little more than a licence to operate, often with fixed terms. One such monumental issue is that franchisors can legally repossess a franchisee's business at the end of the term without cause or compensation, leaving them vulnerable and having no right to the goodwill value of the business they have built.
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By supporting us with your membership and involvement, you can play a crucial role in enabling AAF to advocate for franchisees effectively. Your contribution directly supports our efforts to champion franchisee rights and influence legislative changes. This is particularly important during the Code of Conduct Review, where we have a prime opportunity to drive meaningful change. Your membership empowers us to stand up for franchisees and create a fairer franchising environment.
Why AAF Exists
AAF's existence stems from a crucial need within the franchising landscape. Franchisees play a pivotal role, funding a substantial ten percent of the Australian economy. Yet, prior to AAF's establishment, they lacked a dedicated body to voice their needs and concerns. AAF was born out of the recognition that franchisors, through their influential lobby, were dominating the regulatory policy discussions. The result was a significant power imbalance, where franchisees invested heavily and risked their life savings without a say in their own future. We aim to rectify this disparity.
The list of rights that franchisees currently lack is extensive and includes:
We aim to create a fairer and more balanced franchising system that secures the future value and security of your business.
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Regardless of whether a franchisee's relationship with their franchisor is favourable or challenging, AAF is here to eliminate the significant power imbalance that often keeps franchisees awake at night, worried about their personal and financial security.
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As a successful franchisee, joining AAF helps you create the laws that will protect your success. If you receive limited or no support from your franchisor, we invite you to join us in developing the support and services you need. If you're facing challenges as a franchisee, we're here, right now, to support you.
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Become a part of AAF today, where your voice, your rights, and your future matter.
Annual General Meeting
Sunday, 1 October at 4pm
Zoom Link to follow
Leave us a message and we'll get back to you.
Contact Details
Address
AAF PTY LTD
C/- Hicks Oakley Chessell Williams
Central 1, Level 2 Suite 17
1 Ricketts Road
Mount Waverly VIC 3149
Contact
Opening Hours
Mon - Fri
9:00 am – 5:00 pm