Just before relinquishing her crown as Franchise Woman of the Year at the FCA gala awards, mult-unit franchisee Carolyn McManus found time to chat with Franchising about running multiples outlets and brands, and a staff of 200.

Townsville-based McManus has a portfolio of six The Coffee Club outlets and a Rib and Rumps restaurant.

In this video interview she shares her understanding of multi-unit franchising and reveals her motto “recruit clever people and let them be clever”.

A key challenge to running multiple outlets, she says, is to learn how to step back from total control of the business, and to recognise the need to completely restructure the company once it has expanded to three stores.

This award-winning franchisee talks about managing a business, and where next for her food group.