Assistance comes as renowned vacuum retailer enters voluntary administration
In the wake of Godfreys Group's recent plunge into voluntary administration, former employees of the vacuum and cleaning retailer are being offered a lifeline into entrepreneurship by Jim's Cleaning Group.
Haydar Hussein, founder of Jim's Cleaning Group, said they are waiving their usual franchise fees, which typically range from $25,000 to $35,000, for those transitioning from Godfreys.
"Clearly the staff at Godfreys have a passion for cleaning and we want them to join us. We need more franchisees to respond to the growing amount of work and leads we are receiving all over the country," Hussein said as quoted by Stuff.
"We have work ready for them and we can get them set up and started almost immediately."
Individuals who opt for this opportunity will receive comprehensive training and ongoing support from a dedicated mentor and business coach, according to the Stuff report.
They will, however, still need to cover standard start-up expenses, including uniforms, equipment and chemicals, and the costs of running their business.
Hussein said they made the move as their company "can't keep up" with the cleaning jobs they're receiving.
"To have more franchisee businesses on board taking on the growing amount of work would be a great outcome for everyone," he said.
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Jim's Cleaning franchises work with hospitals, aged care facilities, corporates, government, and schools, according to Hussein. They also provide home cleaning services.
Godfreys enters voluntary administration
Godfreys Group went into voluntary administration in January after over 90 years of operations in Australia and New Zealand.
Jane Allen, a Johnston family spokesperson, told Stuff that the decision was due to "consumer confidence and spending due to the economic era of high inflation, rising interest rates, and intense cost of living pressures."
Following the announcement in late January, 54 stores of the company are expected to be shuttered in two weeks, Stuff reported. This is also expected to impact over 170 employees in Australia and over 20 employees in New Zealand.
Stephen White and John Fisk of PwC New Zealand have been appointed as Voluntary Administrators of New Zealand Vacuum Cleaner Company Limited.
"John Fisk and I will be working closely with the Australian administrators and Godfreys Group management to continue trading the restructured New Zealand store network during the administration in order to maximise the prospects of a going concern sale," White said in a statement.