When Australasia’s largest serviced accommodation operator hands out the gong for top Franchise of the Year, you can be assured that it is one gong worth having.

Such was the case at the recent Quest Serviced Apartments annual awards to celebrate franchisee success and to acknowledge individuals and their contribution to both the Quest business as well as their own.

Entrepreneurial duo, Robert Sumpton and Peter Sweetland, winning Quest franchisees have their sights set not only on winning the highest accolades for their properties, but also for the Quest brand.

With four franchises already under their belt the pair is on a fast track to business success having sold two of their franchises recently, at a higher than expected resale price. Other business opportunities within the Quest Group are also on the cards.

“Our satisfaction with Quest is of the highest level, so much so that since buying our first franchise we went on to invest in three more!”

With 94 of Quest’s 102 properties across Australia, New Zealand and Fiji operating as franchised businesses, and continued growth among the franchise network, there was strong competition for the coveted Quest Franchise of the Year Award.

Robert and Peter’s Narre Warren property, situated in the outer south-eastern suburbs of Melbourne, Victoria is a jewel in the Quest crown.  

Since 2004, when the winning duo first bought the Quest Narre Warren franchise, they have been on a wining streak.

By February 2005 they had invested further with the purchase of Quest Dandenong; and in June 2005 they bought a 50 per cent share in Quest Frankston; while in December 2005 they invested again with a 10 per cent share in Quest Wagga Wagga. 

Such is their business acumen, their well-honed ability to identify opportunities to increase the performance of the businesses, their drive, and, their passion for the Quest business that they are completely sold on franchising and the Quest brand. As well, they see themselves as innovative business people driven by success – their own and that of the Quest Group.

Whilst they acknowledge the hard work that they have put into running a successful Quest franchise, the pair is keen to acknowledge the support received from Quest corporate office as a major contributing factor to their success.

Robert Sumpton comments: “Whilst we have worked very hard to achieve our success, we have not done it alone. One of the main reasons for our achievements has been the systems provided by Quest giving everyone an excellent platform to run a successful business.”

Robert claims that the Quest system and support is what differentiates Australasia’s largest serviced apartment accommodation operator from other franchise operators.

“Quest has always been there to assist us, even once we bought the business the support still continued to be of the highest level. The relationship between the franchisee and franchisor is excellent and is displayed at the regular franchise meetings which offer a structured forum for information and discussion,” he said.

Quest Narre Warren won the regional Victoria category and then went onto win Franchise of the Year with 98 per cent compliance with Quest’s Business Success Program. The 25-category evaluative tool is used to identify franchise performance in all areas of the business from marketing and presentation standards, front office and staff management to financial performance and price integrity.

The Business Success Program ensures that franchisees continually review these key facets of their business on a regular basis. This system allows for evaluation of performance with a goal to achieve 100 per cent compliance enabling a benchmark within the Quest group.

“If you have the desire for success, fulfillment and want a great business, support, financial security and the opportunity to work with a great team, buy a Quest franchise,” concludes Robert enthusiastically.

Other award winners are:

Regional Winner NSW/ACT: Quest Cronulla Beach
Regional Winner QLD/NT: Quest Darwin
Regional Winner WA: Quest West End
Regional Winner VIC: Quest Narre Warren
2006 Quest Employee of the Year - New Zealand: Anna O’Connor, Quest Wellington  
2006 Quest Employee of the Year - Australia: Nicholas Attwood, Quest Southbank
2006 Quest Employee of the Year - Australia: Robert Mariotti, Quest Apartments
2006 Quest Franchise of the Year - New Zealand: Quest Ponsonby