Jim Penman offers free Jim's franchises to duped 7-Eleven operators

One of Australia's biggest franchise founders has launched an extraordinary rescue package for franchisees caught up in the growing 7-Eleven controversy, offering affected franchise owners a free Jim's Group franchise to help them rebuild their lives.
 

Jim's Group founder Jim Penman said he could no longer stand by while hardworking Australians risk losing everything after investing hundreds of thousands, and in many cases millions, of dollars into franchise businesses they believed would provide financial security.
 

"If you've been left financially devastated, I want to help," Penman said.
 

"If your franchisor has abandoned you, Jim's Group won't."
 

A fresh start, free
 

Under the initiative, any 7-Eleven franchisee that has been unfairly impacted by the actions of 7-Eleven Australia and its owner, 7-Eleven International, will be offered a Jim's Group franchise at no cost, with Jim's Group covering the franchise fees and establishment costs.
 

Franchisees will simply need to provide their own tools, equipment and vehicle where required.
 

"They can choose from more than 50 different Jim's divisions. We do everything, from mowing lawns to washing dogs and if we don't have a division that suits, franchisees are welcome to create a new one. We are about service, growth and opportunity, not tearing franchisees down," Penman said.
 

"They'll receive our systems, training, ongoing support and the opportunity to rebuild their future.
 

"This isn't a publicity stunt. It's about helping good people who have worked incredibly hard only to find themselves in a situation they never imagined.
 

Somebody has to stand up
 

Penman said he has become increasingly frustrated watching governments continue collecting taxes from franchisees while failing to provide meaningful protection.
 

"Governments are always there with their hand out when it's time to collect GST, company tax, payroll tax, income tax and now even more capital gains tax," Penman said.

"But when franchisees lose their businesses, lose their homes and lose everything they've spent years building, they're nowhere to be found.
 

"Somebody has to stand up for these people because the Government clearly isn't."
 

Families losing everything
 

Penman said franchise failures affect far more than business owners.
 

"These aren't faceless corporations, they are mums and dads. They've mortgaged their homes, emptied their super and worked seven days a week believing they were building a better future for their families," Penman said.
 

"When that dream collapses, the emotional and financial damage can last a lifetime."
 

The system is broken
 

Penman said the latest controversy once again exposes major flaws in Australia's franchising laws.
 

"We've had inquiry after inquiry, review after review, endless reports and yet franchisees are still finding themselves exposed," Penman said.
 

"The current Franchising Code protects paperwork far better than it protects people."
 

The simple solution that could save billions
 

Penman believes the answer is remarkably simple.
 

He is calling on the Federal Government to establish an independent annual Australian Franchisee Feedback Survey and a publicly accessible National Franchise Transparency Register.
 

Every current and recently departed franchisee would be surveyed by an independent organisation.
 

The results would then be published online so prospective franchisees could compare brands before investing.
 

"If Australians can read reviews before spending $200 on a hotel room, surely they deserve independent reviews before investing their life savings into a franchise," Penman said.
 

A transparency tax
 

Penman said the system would barely cost taxpayers anything.
 

"Let franchisors fund it, call it a transparency levy. I will happily pay it and so should every ethical franchisor in Australia. If you've got nothing to hide, you've got nothing to fear," Penman said.
 

He said reputable franchise groups would benefit enormously.
 

"The good operators would finally be recognised and the poor operators would either improve or disappear. That is exactly how markets should work," Penman said.

Questions Canberra should answer
 

Penman also called on politicians to explain why stronger protections have repeatedly failed to materialise.
 

"The public deserves to know how much political funding has come from franchisors, their related entities and family members over the years," Penman said.
 

"Australians deserve confidence that public policy is being made in the interests of small business owners, not political donors."
 

An open invitation
 

Penman said any affected 7-Eleven franchisee should contact Jim's Group directly.
 

"If you've lost your business, if you've lost hope, if you're wondering what comes next, talk to us," he said.
 

"We can't undo what's happened, but we can help you start again.
 

"Nobody who has worked hard, played by the rules and backed themselves deserves to be abandoned."

About Jim's Group
 

Jim's Group was founded by Jim Penman in 1989 and now has some 5,700 franchisees in more than 50 divisions. It is the largest franchise chain in the Southern Hemisphere.
 

A digital clone of Jim can be found at this site or at jimpenman.com.au, which is able to answer questions about the research project and Jim's Group. More information about Jim's Group can be found at: https://jims.net