Guthrie Bowron: A Testament to Success Through Longevity of Franchisee Tenure - Iridium Partners
Guthrie Bowron: A Testament to Success Through Longevity of Franchisee Tenure
General News

Monday, 27 May 2024

Guthrie Bowron: A Testament to Success Through Longevity of Franchisee Tenure

In the world of franchising, longevity is often a telling measure of a franchise system’s success and the strength of it’s business model. Guthrie Bowron, a prominent name in New Zealand’s home decorating industry, proudly exemplifies this concept.

The fact that many Guthrie Bowron franchisees have tenures spanning decades speaks volumes about the brand’s thriving franchise system and robust business model. This enduring loyalty and commitment from franchisees are clear indicators of the brand’s ability to facilitate and sustain success over time.

One such example is David from Guthrie Bowron Gore.  Having been in retail since leaving school, with successful stints with firms across sectors, David wanted to make his own path and develop and grow his own businesses. It was at this stage he was presented with the opportunity to open a Guthrie Bowron,  establishing the Guthrie Bowron Gore business in 1993.

David’s attitude was simple, customer service was the key. He listened, asked questions, worked hard but most importantly he invited customers back. He now has several generations of same family members as customers. His Guthrie Bowron business is amongst the best performing stores in the retail paint category and it has won several awards including the national paint store of the year, wallpaper store of the year, and has been nominated twice for store of the year.  It consistently punches above its weight. 

David has also excelled in developing a team and attributes his success to his team, “My team have been loyal over the years, two of which have seen 20 years plus service. I have been and still am surrounded by amazing people. I have specialised consultants for each department all supported internally by Guthrie Bowron Operations Support Specialist Managers and externally by suppliers support from company representatives to group managers for Guthrie Bowron Stores.” 


Guthrie Bowron invests heavily in Business systems development, resulting in a franchise system that is very well managed and supported, making it easy to step into a Guthrie Bowron. David says “The systems and support from Support Office has grown exponentially over the years not only now with hands on support from operation support managers but also with fantastic on-line training tools in each category and retail. Suppliers also now offer comprehensive on-line product training modules as well as in-store training on all their product ranges.” 

Guthrie Bowron’s enduring relationships with franchisees underscore not only their individual achievements but also the collective strength of the brand. The longevity of franchisee tenure is not merely a number; it’s a reflection of the franchise system’s ability to adapt, evolve, and thrive, all while fostering lasting partnerships that benefit both franchisor and franchisee alike.