Clark Rubber - Franchise Opportunities

Key Strengths:

Rich operating history

Highly adaptable business model

Strong revenue growth

Clark Rubber is an award-winning business with a history dating back to 1946. 

With 60 stores nationally, all specialising in pools, foam, and rubber, the business occupies a very distinctive position in Australian retail. The broad product range of the business appeals to a wide cross-section of Australians, including families, tradies, hobbyists, and commercial customers, just to name a few.

The business has various business formats that suit a range of owners: Large Format Store, which offers customers everything pools, foam, and rubber; the business Pools & Spas Store, a smaller format model catering exclusively to pool and spa customers; and the business Pool & Spa Mobile Service, an affordable and proven model for those who dream of owning their first business.

Clark Rubber’s story began in 1946 when two men, Charlesworth and Clark, formed a partnership to establish Clark Matting and Rubber. The business grew rapidly, and in 1951 was listed on the Australian Stock Exchange. 

In 1982, the business was bought by the Adsteam Group, which continued to operate the business until 1994. At this point, the business name and logo were sold to Vita Pacific, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Pacific Dunlop, and the network of stores was closed down.

Opening its 50th store in 1998, the Clark Rubber brand was formally acquired in 2000. In the same year, Chris Malcolm purchased full rights to the business brand from Pacific Dunlop.

The store network continued to grow, and in 2003, the business was recognised as the Franchise Council of Australia’s Franchisor of the Year in the ‘Entry Capital Over $200,000’ category. In the same year, Chris Malcolm was inducted into the Franchise Council of Australia’s ‘Hall of Fame. 

Three years later, the business was awarded the Franchise Council of Australia’s highest honour, Franchisor of the Year.

In 2020, CRG Operations acquired the business brand. Headed by Graeme Goldman and Edward Plowman, the new ownership has ambitious plans to steer this iconic 75-year-old brand through its next phase. 

With an expanded store network, greatly improved omnichannel strategy, and improved product/service offerings, particularly within the Pool & Spa category, the business will be further solidified as the one-stop destination for Everything Pools Foam & Rubber.

About the Opportunity

Clark Rubber embraces a learning culture. As a new business franchisee, your journey begins with a four-week comprehensive training and orientation program. 

The business’ ‘Classroom to Store’ training system offers you a wide range of development tools and modules. In addition, Clark Rubber has a dedicated national learning and development department who are committed to working with you and your staff, to ensure that your team is best prepared to operate your business.

Even better, you will be provided ongoing support at a local level by one of our experienced regional sales managers, who will assist in ensuring consistency with brand and product execution. At a national level, Clark Rubber’s Franchise Support Office, based in Melbourne, will support you across all key functions including: operations, marketing, IT, finance, and learning & development.

Clark Rubber is an iconic Australian retail brand. It is able to build a strong brand recognition through its strategic national and localised market programs. It leverages a national program that includes: catalogue, TV, radio, digital, social media, and strategic collaboration projects. 

At a local level, Clark Rubber works with you, our Franchisee, to develop marketing initiatives that best fit your store and local market. Through these programs, our goal is to build awareness of your business in the local community, to drive store traffic, and ultimately sales.

Business Franchisees enjoy the combined stock buying power that only comes from being part of a large national network of stores. Clark Rubber’s dedicated buying team works closely with suppliers to build product ranges across our key categories of pools, foam, and rubber. In addition, the franchisor sources products, develops promotional offers, and negotiates trading terms and pricing on your behalf.

As a starting point, Clark Rubber takes the hassle out of establishing and setting up your new business. Using its proven methodology, the business brings together the experience and retail know-how to help you maximise your performance, maintain healthy staff engagement, and provide best practice customer service.

Clark Rubber’s qualified professionals will assist, review, and guide, ensuring mutual understanding throughout the entire process.

Key features of the business

• Comprehensive training
• Operational support 
• National & local marketing programs
• Group buying power
• Site selection & lease negotiations
• Business set up & optimisation

Join Clark Rubber’s award-winning franchise network that has been dominating Australia’s pool, foam, and rubber industry for 75 years now. Build your successful business today!