NightOwl Convenience Stores
Encyclopedia
NightOwl Convenience Stores is a franchised system of stores
based in Brisbane, Australia. The first store opened in 1975 and was located in the Auchenflower
suburb of Brisbane
. The store pre-dated Seven Eleven opening in Australia by 12 months. The store traded 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Established by a former Woolworth's
Store Manager, the Auchenflower branch offered an extensive range of traditional supermarket grocery items-together with fresh fruit, vegetables and hot BBQ Chickens. Popular with the growing Student and Yuppy community in the district. The business concept was franchised in 1987.
In 1995, NightOwl was floated on the stock exchange
and was bought out by Retail Services Limited in 1996. RSL is a diversified holdings group mainly based in the retail sector, this helped take NightOwl nationwide
The NightOwl business was purchased by David Hodge in September 2001. The companies Senior Management was changed and the business was re-aligned with a new focus being placed upon growth. Store livery was modernised, multiple-site franchisees were encouraged within the business and investment in training was increased. Taking up the Chair of the 'Australasian Association of Convenience Stores' (AACS) for 2003 and 2004, NightOwl increased its profile within the industry and played host to regular AACS functions within Queensland.
In 2007, the Franchise business was sold to Adam Adams and his company Think Convenience. Adam and his wife Katrina are also the owners of six NightOwl stores in Cairns and North Queensland. As part of a strategy to increase growth dynamically, Think Convenience has re-introduced the company store method of expansion used extensively by Retail Services and discontinued by David Hodge. In order to facilitate the development of new regions and states, company-owned and operated stores were established. In regions like Townsville in Queensland, this has ensured new growth where initially franchisees were not available. Once established in this new area, NightOwl can then encourage franchising using company stores as examples of the business system.
In 2011, the group had 63 stores including 3 of the new format 'NightOwl Super Stores'. These new format stores are as a result of the purchase and conversion of a Foodworks, a SPAR and an IGA store. The Foodworks in Torquay Queensland was the first purchased and all three of the 'Super' stores are owned by the Franchisor. Three Convenience stores are located in Sydney
, one in Lismore
, one in Melbourne
with the balance located throughout Queensland
. NightOwl Convenience Stores are typically 150 square metres in size and in contrast to the American
owned 7-11 Group, NightOwl has only one fuel outlet and continues to focus on the fresh food and grocery market.
Chain store
Chain stores are retail outlets that share a brand and central management, and usually have standardized business methods and practices. These characteristics also apply to chain restaurants and some service-oriented chain businesses. In retail, dining and many service categories, chain businesses...
based in Brisbane, Australia. The first store opened in 1975 and was located in the Auchenflower
Auchenflower, Queensland
Auchenflower is an inner suburb of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia located 2.5 km west of the Brisbane CBD bordering the Brisbane River.-History:Between 1900 and 1962 Auchenflower was served by trams running along Milton Road from Toowong...
suburb of Brisbane
Brisbane
Brisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of...
. The store pre-dated Seven Eleven opening in Australia by 12 months. The store traded 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Established by a former Woolworth's
Woolworths Limited
Woolworths Limited is a major Australian company with extensive retail interest throughout Australia and New Zealand. It is the:* largest retail company in Australia and New Zealand by market capitalisation and sales...
Store Manager, the Auchenflower branch offered an extensive range of traditional supermarket grocery items-together with fresh fruit, vegetables and hot BBQ Chickens. Popular with the growing Student and Yuppy community in the district. The business concept was franchised in 1987.
In 1995, NightOwl was floated on the stock exchange
Australian Securities Exchange
The Australian Securities Exchange was created by the merger of the Australian Stock Exchange and the Sydney Futures Exchange in July 2006. It is the primary stock exchange group in Australia....
and was bought out by Retail Services Limited in 1996. RSL is a diversified holdings group mainly based in the retail sector, this helped take NightOwl nationwide
The NightOwl business was purchased by David Hodge in September 2001. The companies Senior Management was changed and the business was re-aligned with a new focus being placed upon growth. Store livery was modernised, multiple-site franchisees were encouraged within the business and investment in training was increased. Taking up the Chair of the 'Australasian Association of Convenience Stores' (AACS) for 2003 and 2004, NightOwl increased its profile within the industry and played host to regular AACS functions within Queensland.
In 2007, the Franchise business was sold to Adam Adams and his company Think Convenience. Adam and his wife Katrina are also the owners of six NightOwl stores in Cairns and North Queensland. As part of a strategy to increase growth dynamically, Think Convenience has re-introduced the company store method of expansion used extensively by Retail Services and discontinued by David Hodge. In order to facilitate the development of new regions and states, company-owned and operated stores were established. In regions like Townsville in Queensland, this has ensured new growth where initially franchisees were not available. Once established in this new area, NightOwl can then encourage franchising using company stores as examples of the business system.
In 2011, the group had 63 stores including 3 of the new format 'NightOwl Super Stores'. These new format stores are as a result of the purchase and conversion of a Foodworks, a SPAR and an IGA store. The Foodworks in Torquay Queensland was the first purchased and all three of the 'Super' stores are owned by the Franchisor. Three Convenience stores are located in Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
, one in Lismore
Lismore, New South Wales
Lismore is a subtropical town in northeastern New South Wales, Australia. Lismore is the main population centre in the City of Lismore local government area. Lismore is a regional centre in the Northern Rivers region of the State.-History:...
, one in Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
with the balance located throughout Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
. NightOwl Convenience Stores are typically 150 square metres in size and in contrast to the American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
owned 7-11 Group, NightOwl has only one fuel outlet and continues to focus on the fresh food and grocery market.