Bakers Delight is calling on motivated entrepreneurs to live their business dream and operate their own bakery within 12 months, through an innovative new recruitment program called ‘Manage to Own’.

Bakers Delight is calling on motivated entrepreneurs to live their business dream and operate their own bakery within 12 months, through an innovative new recruitment program called ‘Manage to Own’.

During September, Bakers Delight will kick off its national recruitment campaign by selecting 50 hopefuls to complete the program, which requires no formal bakery experience.

Co-Founder and CEO of Bakers Delight Lesley Gillespie says the company is very pleased to offer 50 people an exciting foot-up in their careers, and the chance to get ahead in business.

“Energy and enthusiasm counts for a lot and young people play a fundamental role in our business’ success. The Manage to Own program will help ensure we continue to have the very best franchisees in the Bakers Delight network,” Gillespie says.

The successful Manage to Own applicants will each receive five months of paid on-the-job training, followed by six months experience managing a retail bakery.

Bakers Delight will then help them take the next step to purchasing a bakery through a combination of financial assistance – possibly including working capital, vendor finance and bonus schemes – as well as ongoing advice, training and operational support.

The selection criteria is broad, however those with a background in retail, hospitality or management may be especially suited to the program.

“More than anything we’re looking for people with the right attitude, drive and self belief to carve out a successful and profitable career with Bakers Delight,” Gillespie explains.

Bakers Delight is Australia’s largest bakery chain, boasting a franchise success rate of over 90 percent.

So successful is its franchise model that 40 percent of its bakeries are owned by franchisees with more than one site.

The company posted global revenues of $581 million in the 2009 financial year and is expected to increase this to $608 million this financial year, as it performs strongly through the downturn.

The Manage to Own program is expected to play an important role in Bakers Delight’s growth strategy and financial success through the injection of fresh new talent into the business

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