Cabin fever rewarded

Shelley Trutsch, from Waipuna Hotel and Conference Centre, sponsors of the Franchisee of the Year Lifestyle Services category with Just Cabins (Northland) franchise owner Ben Wood.

Just Cabins (Northland) has won the Westpac Franchisee of the Year award Lifestyle Services category.

Owners Ben and Jan Wood started the Northland franchise four years ago, winning Just Cabins' own "Exceptional business growth" award in 2014 and Just Cabins' "Franchisee of the Year award" in 2015.

"We have had several businesses but the Just Cabins business model is beyond compare," said franchisee owner Ben Wood.

"Our success is a testament to that."

It is the fourth year running that Just Cabins has won the category.

In 2013, 2014 and 2015 the award was given to West Coast, Waitakere and Selwyn respectively.

Just Cabins also won the Franchise System of the Year award, Lifestyle Services Category.

"Our system is simple, we have good processes and are the only cabin franchise to provide nationwide coverage in a very competitive environment," said Fenton Peterken, the franchisor for Just Cabins.

As well as an affordable option to add space cabins can provide a passive income or additional income stream for retirement.

"We believe that to succeed business needs to be enjoyable and profitable.

"One of the advantages in being a franchisee is that we can leverage our buying power and employ economies of scale to reduce the cost of our 'space at your place' marketing campaigns," said Mr Peterken.

Over 200 franchisors, franchisee owners, industry support businesses and their colleagues attended the 22nd Westpac New Zealand Franchise Awards presentation and Gala dinner on November 12 in Auckland.

There are more than 400 franchised businesses in New Zealand employing over 100,000 people and contributing more than $20 billion to the economy, the Franchise Association of New Zealand said.