Source:        Queensland Business Review

Date:            Thurs 13 September 2007

Andrew Robertson, Franchisee owner of Worldwide Online Printing centres in Spring Hill and Rowes Arcade, has been awarded Queensland/Northern Territory Franchisee of the Year award for the PricewaterhouseCoopers 2007 Excellence in Franchising Awards.

Robertson purchased the centre in September 2003, after a period as manager, and over the past four years has increased its annual turnover more than fourfold.

His Spring Hill centre has won three national 'Performance League' awards for sales growth, and Robertson was a finalist for the 2006 Worldwide Online Printing Franchisee of the Year.

Robertson credits his great team as the secret to success.

"You need to be fussy when you're choosing staff and thorough in their training. You need to invest in and value your team," says Robertson.

"In such a tight labour market, having and keeping great people is definitely a competitive advantage."

Other winners were Dianne Williams of Lenard's, who won the PwC QLD/NT Woman in Franchising category, and Mr Rental, which won the Regional Emerging Franchise System of the Year Award.

Robertson is now in the running for National Franchisee of the Year, which will be announced at a prestigious awards night held at the National Franchise and Small Business Convention on Saturday 13 October 2007.