Kitchen Refacing Franchiser Confident

Defying the economic meltdown, Wanaka businessman Derek Lilly is launching his New Zealand Dream Doors franchise network this month.

The co-founder of British franchise company Dream Doors Ltd moved to New Zealand in late 2007 and believes business is "not all the doom and gloom" as the media reports.

The first New Zealand Dream Doors franchise was opened in Wanaka in April last year by Eddie Spearing, and that business had met its first-year $200,000 turnover goal within the first six months, Mr Lilly (45) said.

"I believe we could eventually have 50 franchises. I reckon that would take me three years. That's what it took me in the UK. But it could be sooner," Mr Lilly said late this week.

Mr Lilly is proud the British company he founded with Troy Tappenden in February 2000 recently reported overall sales in 2008 of 6.2 million (about $NZ17 million).

That company is experiencing continued growth despite hard economic times, according to Franchise Magazine in the United Kingdom.

"In times of doom and gloom, it is good to see a success story . . . and see my baby growing up," Mr Lilly said.

Mr Lilly is no longer a shareholder with the British company after selling his 50% shares to Mr Tappenden in 2006 for about 400,000.

When he left the company, Mr Lilly retained full franchise licence agreements for New Zealand, Australia, Canada and the United States.

In 2007, he moved to New Zealand with his wife Vicki, daughter Georgina (10) and son Tyler-Joe (7) to start afresh, after falling in love with the country on an earlier visit.

It took six months to complete the paperwork to become part of the New Zealand franchise system and he is now a member of the New Zealand Franchise Association and the National Kitchen and Bathroom Association.

The British company is not associated with the New Zealand operation, but the two companies honour a commitment to the brand, Mr Lilly said.

New Zealand and Britain had very similar franchise structures but New Zealand's regulatory system was tougher, Mr Lilly said.

"I think in New Zealand, it is stronger and more protective of the franchisee, which is great, in my opinion . . . I have made some significant changes in the way things run compared to the UK," he said.

Mr Lilly never envisaged becoming a kitchen whiz as a teenager growing up in Plymouth.

After he left school, he worked as an engineering apprentice at the Devonport dockyard, a massive naval facility in Plymouth.

He qualified as a mechanical engineer, joined the British Army for five years and then worked in various sales roles, including national sales manager for a company called Sensormatic, a Fortune 500-listed US company.

Dream Doors News and Press Releases

This article has been read 1460 times.

Would you like to own a Dream Doors Franchise?

For more information about becoming a Dream Doors Franchise owner, including a franchise overview, start-up costs, fees, training and more, please visit our Dream Doors Franchise Information page.