Pie Face plunges into administration

I was so surprised to read this article this morning. Apart from the fact that they make really delicious pies (almost like Nana used to make) it always sad to see a business go under.

Franchising is difficult and it is so important to set them up correctly in the first place, and if you are a franchisee, read all the fine print. Below is an overview of what happenened.

The collapse comes after Pie Face quietly closed six of its seven stores in New York City last month. While Pie Face has previously attempted to expand into India and New Zealand without much obvious traction, the chain is also believed to have agreements to enter South Korea and the Philippines.

The chain also became embroiled in a legal battle with a former franchisee earlier this year.

Former franchisee Prit Dutta sued Pie Face for $800,000 in February, alleging the pie chain was misleading and deceptive when communicating the expected returns for its franchise stores.

http://www.smartcompany.com.au/finance/44731-pie-face-plunges-into-administration.html?utm_source=SmartCompany&utm_campaign=5283790da4-Monday_24_November_201424_11_2014&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_234118efee-5283790da4-93594842

The joys of printing yourself

Now stop being so tight and give HMS a call. 1300 912 550

www.hmsprintmanagement.com.au

Thailand. I love you

I arrived in Phuket last week to meet up with a friend from 30 years ago. Yes too long between drinks I know but she's in Dorset and I'm in Melbourne and time flies don't you know. The internet hasn't made physical touch any closer. Facebook and email are great but to hug her and sit and chat with a drink was - priceless. 

So, as I hadn't been here for a couple of years and was travelling solo I booked (from Melbourne - thank you booking.com) the well rated airport hotel in Phuket and a private car to get to her in Krabi from Phuket airport (both 2500 baht or approx $100 each) on arrival. Total $200. After all I could get axe murdered in a country I didn't know and couldn't speak the language in if I strayed from the great google. 

After a week here, and feeling more like a local ( and not such the timid ignorant traveller) I had to come back to Phuket this afternoon for the flight home early tomorrow morning. I caught the local bus from Krabi to Phuket (3 hours at $15) - certainly comfortable enough for a snob like me, and, because I was skint, chose a cheaper local airport bed and breakfast at the Phuket Hotel Bed & Breakfast ($40) and I now am loving myself sick as I sit here in my little Thai courtyard b&b having a duty free scotch. 

 

The Thai people I have ever met ( 3rd time here now) have always been delightful - kind, caring enough to try and overcome the language barrier ( more than I've done for them)  and they make me - a solo female traveller - feel safe, as well as go above and beyond to get me to my destination. Even when they don't know where it is and the only address I've been emailed is in English. And they even call me Madam - I don't like that but boy does it make me me feel welcome here (Kate nee Middleton I don't know if you really get off on that?). 

Anyway I hope and try I do the same for our guests/our fellow humans in my country. 

It doesn't take much to lift your game does it. 

People of Thailand I bow to you. 

Is paper dead?

Someone sent this to me - too funny not to share although you'll probably get the punch line in the first few screens.

Clean, fresh logo design

Over the past couple of months I've been doing the marketing (from scratch) for a new business delivery fresh home cooked meals around Melbourne. The company is called www.vegetarianfoodonline.com.au and it's been fun (and lots of work).

There are so many food delivery business's out there it's crucial that the logo looked fresh and delectable and we think we got it in one here.

Here's a pic of the labelling taken by one happy customer on their mobile phone.

A great logo is one which (if you're not Coke) can be glanced at and which quickly gives you an idea of what the business does. This one was designed in 2 colour (keeping start up print costs nice and cost effective) and can be reproduced across web, signage, promotional products and social media without distorting in any way. Nice and clean. The labels were designed so the customer could also see quite a bit of the meal, making the packaging even more tasty! Your thoughts?