Kwik Kopy takes rapid action after franchisee fall

Kwik Kopy Australia has swept in to take ownership of the Melbourne Fitzroy and St Kilda Road franchises after the previous operators called in the liquidators this week.

The Lindley family’s Olympus Forge Pty Ltd has collapsed, likely due to debt – with John and Sue Lindley retiring and son Michael to pursue other interests.

David Bell, CEO at Kwik Kopy Australia, says the two Victorian stores are profitable businesses and do not reflect Olympus’ troubles. Kwik Kopy will now recapitalise the centres before bringing new operators on board.

Bell says, “We will be investing in people, buying new equipment, entering into a new property lease and promoting the business with increased marketing, investing in new software to better run the business, and so on.”

Only six or seven franchises have faced similar issues in the last decade, says Bell, and when they do head office is swift to act and proactive in its strategy in getting the centres on track.

He says, “Occasionally when stores get into difficulty like this, not because they are bad businesses but because those who own them have too much debt, we are forced to take ownership, recapitalise them to get them on a sound financial footing, and then try and find a suitable new franchisee.”

With national sales director John Sexton at the helm, the two stores recommenced trading after being closed for just one day; the Monday of the liquidation. Kwik Kopy is also looking to recruit some of the staff who were terminated by the liquidator as part of the process.

The company is also communicating with the customers of the two stores to assure them that it is business as usual and that all their needs will continue to be met.

Bell says, “We expect that the two stores will grow and prosper and continue to service all their clients with the full range of Kwik Kopy products and services.”

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