There is a growing demand for premium chocolates and this trend has provided an avenue for growth, with consumers increasingly demanding hand-made and/or premium machine-made chocolates, despite consuming less chocolate overall. Here we explore different chocolate franchises.

Successful franchisees making a difference in their communities are in the spotlight in the latest edition of Inside Franchise Business magazine.

What key things can a new franchisee do or establish to ensure profitability?

Convenience chain 7-Eleven has revealed it is investing in innovation to ensure the network of franchised and corporate stores stays ahead of the game.

Could internal fraud by damaging your business? According to a survey by KPMG the most common perpetrators of fraud are ‘business insiders’, with 36 per cent of fraud attributable to business management.

Farm lad Tino Grossi was so successful in agriculture he had retired by the age of 45. But when boredom set in, he found his feet as a franchisor within the Jim’s Group.

The Hog’s Express team headed west to open its second venture in the Mandurah Forum, after a successful debut in Brisbane’s Myer Centre last October, and plans to roll out more across the country later this year.

When two franchise experts discovered the Hello Harry brand, they knew they had to buy it and be aggressive with franchising. They started the chain on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast in 2014, with the first franchised store following the next year. The brand has since expanded across Australia.

Running a business is hard enough without getting caught up in the complexities of the tax system. So, to make things simpler, H&R Block has produced a beginners’ guide to the tax deductions all retail businesses should be looking to claim.

What is your pain point as a franchisor right now?

Higher prices on McDonald’s menu have led to surprisingly strong comparable-store sales during the first quarter.

Take a bite into the burger sector and get to know the franchisors.