John Forsyth AM, the Chairman of Dymocks Group, has been honored with the 2023 Franchise Council of Australia Hall of Fame award. As the grandnephew of William Dymock, the founder of Dymocks bookstore in Sydney in 1879, John has made a significant impact on the franchising and small business landscape in Australia. In the 1980s, he recognized the potential to franchise the Dymocks brand and embarked on a journey to various countries to gather ideas and inspiration. Upon his return, he revamped the store format and introduced the Dymocks Franchise System in 1986, allowing small business owners to benefit from the storied tradition of Dymocks’ bookselling. Thanks to John’s vision, aspiring bookstore owners now have the opportunity to be a part of the Dymocks franchise community and contribute to its continued success. The award was presented at the 2023 National Franchising Convention Gala Dinner, which is a prominent event in the FCA’s annual calendar, attended by key decision makers from major franchise brands across sectors.
