Worldwide franchisees throw support behind new ownership

Worldwide Online Printing franchisees have given the thumbs up to the company's acquisition by an affiliate of its WA production hub.

Administrators McGrath Nicol revealed they had reached an agreement with Doublewest Corporation, which is "associated with" Crystal Printing, for the sale of the national franchisor business.

UK-based franchise operation Printing.com revealed to ProPrint that it had been unsuccessful in its bid for the Worldwide business.

Crystal Printing trades as Worldwide Cannington in Perth, and is operated by Arnold Whiteside.

It is understood that both Crystal Printing and east coast-based CMYKhub - owned and operated by Worldwide founder Clive Denholm - have been handling much of the franchises' printing needs over the course of the administration.

Kel Doolan, who owns the Worldwide Mount Waverley franchise, said he thought the acquisition was a "positive outcome".

"The franchisees are going to be better off," he said.

"Arnold is passionate about the way he does business, and he's been involved with Worldwide for a long time, so we believe he'll have the franchises interests at heart," added Doolan.

Strathfield franchise owner Renee Hollerin also said she was "thrilled" with the outcome.

All the other Worldwide franchisees contacted by ProPrint were similarly positive, though reluctant to be named.

One franchisee echoed Doolan's belief that Crystal was the best company to take over Worldwide, pointing out that having someone close to Worldwide taking over would be less disruptive for franchises.

He added that a takeover by Printing.com would have brought up confusing issues over branding.

Many franchisees reported being kept in the dark throughout the administration process, though are expecting to receive further information about the acquisition in the coming days.

Doolan had no objection to the secretive way in which the buyout was conducted.

"The administrators have legal requirements they have to abide by," he said. "But they told us when the bids were due, and they told us when they were assessing those bids, and now we know."

However, not all of the franchises contacted by ProPrint were full of praise, with some saying they had ceased association with Worldwide after it fell into administration.

The Maroochydore franchise is one store that disassociated itself from Worldwide after their franchising agreement recently expired, while the Penrith franchise is now trading instead as Vision Print.

Worldwide Online Printing entered administration on 25 February.

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