Lenard’s founder Lenard Poulter has developed “exciting new ideas” for the growth of his business. 
Mr Poulter’s vision includes a range of “fresh opportunities” for current and new franchisees, including Hub and Spoke (Ready To Go) Stores.
This new model is available to both current and new franchisees. Instead of buying an outlet, franchisees will be able to invest in a particular territory or area and set up a Hub store. The Hub store may either be a small manufacturing facility, or what is known as a Lenard’s serve over outlet that has a production area. The Hub produces and supplies pre-packaged products to the Ready To Go stores located within the territory.
The new Ready To Go stores feature self-service fridges and a modern design, and offer the Lenard’s traditional range as well as new ready-to-heat frozen meals.
Mr Poulter has already set up four Ready To Go stores in Brisbane (Capalaba, Fairfield, Lutwyche and Mitchelton). The Townsville franchisee has also opened the first Ready to Go Store outside Brisbane at Fairfield Central.
The Rotisserie concept
The Lenard’s Rotisserie store at Fortitude Valley in Brisbane, which was launched in late 2019, provided consumers with rotisserie chicken with salad, vegetables or chips as well as other meals such as meatballs, chicken rolls and curries, and consumers could either take away or dine in.
It also had a small selection of products from the ready-to-go range which customers could take home to cook themselves. Covid-19 put a hold on this concept, but the systems and processes are now ready to launch into other territories.
“The Rotisserie concept has proved very valuable,” says Mr Poulter.
“It allowed us to gain valuable insights and feedback from customers.
“The frozen products in our Ready to Go stores have also been a win-win as they introduced more flexibility into the business as well as being very popular with customers.
“We now plan to put more focus on oven-ready meals, to build this new business concept nationally and enhance it with home delivery in the near future.”
Lenard’s history and moving forward
Over 33 years, Mr Poulter built a chain of more than 200 stores across Australia.
Then, in 2010, personal circumstances forced him to sell part of his shareholding and move away from the day-to-day operation of the business. Franchisees began to move on.
In 2018, Mr Poulter acquired the shareholding from investors, Blue Sky, to take 100% ownership in the business that bears his name. Now with the backing of new shareholders, he’s determined to take it to even greater heights.
“This is an exciting opportunity for our 30 current franchisees and anyone wanting to avail themselves of our proven track record and the well-established, much-loved Lenard’s Chicken brand,” he says.
“We’re committed to providing our customers with convenience and high-quality products at affordable prices, so this is a great opportunity for potential franchisees to get in on the ground floor.”