Nosh launches new owner-operator model

Nosh launches new owner-operator model

Successful market-style food retailer Nosh is moving to an owner-operator model for new stores as it gets set to open its seventh outlet in Auckland’s lucrative North Shore catchment.

The new Nosh Food Market on Constellation Drive is a joint venture between Nosh and owner-operators Jo and Simon Jamieson.

The new outlet is due to open in October this year. At around 900 sq. m. it is a large format store similar to Nosh’s Glen Innes and Mt Eden premises.

Nosh director Clinton Beuvink says the move to owner-operator proprietorship has significant advantages for the business.

“We are in expansion mode and owner-operator partnerships represent an efficient use of working capital and enable us to grow more quickly.”

“From a customer point of view this new model builds on the Nosh philosophy of personalised service and the consumer engagement levels we aspire to,” Mr Beuvink says.

“It’s very important to us that we are able to support the communities we work in and having owner-operators working in the business goes a long way to enhancing the neighbourhood feel.

“We are in expansion mode and owner-operator partnerships represent an efficient use of working capital and enable us to grow more quickly. We see the owner-operator model as the way of the future for Nosh,” Mr Beuvink says.

Indeed, the Jamiesons were encouraged to contact Nosh after reading in the media that the company was interested in pursuing a growth strategy involving the owner-operator model.

Aged in their forties, the couple has a strong background in food and retail businesses. With three children in their late teens and early 20s, the Jamiesons felt the timing was perfect to move into a strong retail food brand.

“We’ve been self-employed now for 20-odd years and had a café and catering business, video stores and a telecoms franchise so we have a good background in small business,” Simon Jamieson says.

“Jo’s also a keen foodie and we’ve been convinced for a while that a Nosh store would be ideal.”

Mr Jamieson says the Nosh owner-operator model is attractive because of its ‘partnership’ structure.

“We’ve been in franchises and believe me relationships with the franchisor can often be strained. In the owner-operator structure Nosh’s dollar is there right alongside ours and that works well for both parties.”

Under the arrangement Nosh provides the back-end systems and purchasing while the operators work the store and manage staff and any special stock detail.

“We’re stoked with the Constellation Drive location – it’s smack bang in the middle of a large residential and commercial catchment area and very close to the motorway. Plus we’re bringing up to 40 new jobs to the area – it just has a good community feel about it,” Mr Jamieson says.

Mr Beuvink says Nosh plans to extend the owner-operator concept further in to the North Island and as far south as Taupo.

“There is a significant investment required because it is a significant opportunity,” he says.

“A Nosh store would suit people who already have experience in business, a passion for food and who want to move up to a larger operation – and they must enjoy the retail and customer service experience,” Mr Beuvink says.

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