Good values and good people are vital for good business
For Eric Murphy, there is nothing more important than family and family values. It’s what has guided him his whole life and led him to become a very successful franchise owner of six Red Rooster stores. Eric’s strong sense of purpose has also helped him become a valued mentor to his staff, with one of his crew being named Store Manager of the Year for 2017. He shares his thoughts here.
Introducing Eric Murphy – Red Rooster Franchise Partner in Karingal, Mornington, Rosebud, North Frankston, Pakenham Cardinia Lakes and Eumemmerring (VIC)
Eric how would you describe yourself?
I’m an old-fashioned man with solid family values. Family means everything to me and I have always worked well in places where it feels like you are part of a family. That’s what I like about my own stores and Red Rooster as a brand – it was started originally by a family and has been going strong for almost 50 years.
What did your early working career involve?
I grew up in the western suburbs of Melbourne. When I finished school, I did an apprenticeship as a market gardener and became a qualified vegetable grower. I then worked for a business owned by a family from Spain who had a farm. I was like their adopted son, so I lived with them and went to the markets with them.
Were they a big influence on your life?
Oh yes, my boss and adopted “dad” Father Jack taught me the value of sheers hard work and was a mentor of sorts. I admired all the honest family men in the business. It’s good to surround yourself with knowledge so that you can deepen your own value system. I now have a mentor in my Red Rooster business consultant and I make a point to regularly catch up with other franchisees and discuss our issues. We learn from each other about how to overcome problems and find solutions.
old-fashioned | family-man | grounded
How did you come to be involved with Red Rooster?
I always wanted to have my own business and was previously part-owner with my brother-in-law in a business landscaping pools. It was great – we never had a fight! However, it wasn’t the same as owning my very own business. I checked out a Red Rooster franchise and was duly impressed. Then I bought my first store in 2015 which I still run as a family business. It has been a very rewarding career, and I now own six stores.
What has been your most satisfying moment?
Last year one of my managers was named Store Manager of the Year and I couldn’t have been prouder. She has been with us for three years and as she came across from another brand, spent a lot of time adjusting. She’s done so well and is a great person who does an amazing job, so it was very well deserved.
Tips to succeed as Red Rooster franchisee…
What has been the best piece of life advice you have been given and by who?
Unsurprisingly it was from a family member – my grandmother – who always used to say, ‘someone needs to lead the way it may as well be you’. She also told me never to do anything that I wouldn’t want to see on the front page of a newspaper!
What does it take to be a successful Red Rooster franchisee?
I talk a lot about family, but I think you really do need the full support of your family as it’s a big undertaking. You also need to surround yourself with good people, have a good crew and connect with business consultants who tell you the truth.
Did the negative press about the franchise industry affect your staff?
There were some concerns from the staff, so I spoke to everyone to ensure them that everything is actually fine. The brand is in a good space and I think we have good leadership and sales numbers, so I think any issues are only with a small group of franchisees. Nothing to be concerned about.
How do you see your business growing/developing in the next 5 years?
I’ve been involved in the food industry most of my life and I think it’s a really exciting time with people wanting more options for nutritious and fun food. I see no reason why Red Rooster won’t continue to drive double digit growth figures in the next few years. I think we have a lot of good things to offer to our customers, from the quality and freshness of the food to our customer service so I’m looking forward to the future.
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