Filipino business owners make their mark in New Zealand’s largest franchise
Brothers-in-law Andrew De Castro and Rezzi Sumagang unwittingly made history when they purchased a CrestClean franchise together in Palmerston North.
In buying a franchise, they became the commercial cleaning company’s 700th franchise team, making CrestClean the largest franchise system of its type in New Zealand.
To mark the occasion, they were presented with special ‘700th Franchise’ plaques by CrestClean’s Palmerston North Regional Master Franchisee Shareen Raj.
“I was very surprised when I found out,” says Andrew. “I feel very lucky!”
Originally from the Philippines, Andrew moved to New Zealand eight years ago with his wife Rizza and their son Andrick, who was 2 at the time, seeking a better future. They have since grown their family with the addition of Azelle, 2, and Adaline, who was born last month.
Rezzi and his wife Loren followed a year later, and now also have a family, Yuri, 5, and Yuna, 2.
“I never thought I would own my own business, it was not really planned. I take pride in it, I feel really happy about it,” says Andrew, who previously worked as a night fill supervisor at a supermarket.
Rezzi left his job as a telecommunications technician and moved from Kāpiti to go into partnership with Andrew, after talking to friends who owned successful CrestClean businesses.
“I like being my own boss. I am working less hours for more money, I don’t have to travel as far to work, and I am closer to family so we can help each other out with looking after the kids.”
Andrew and Rezzi are already looking to grow the business, with plans to each have their own franchise in the future.
CrestClean is proud to have 59 different nationalities represented in its franchise network, but by far the fastest-growing nationality is Filipino, making up 40 per cent of new franchise teams to have joined the company over the last 12 months.
In total, CrestClean has more than 120 Filipino franchise teams, making up 17 per cent all franchisees.
“A lot of that is down to word of mouth,” says Managing Director Grant McLauchlan.
“We have many successful Filipino business owners, who recommend CrestClean because they want their family and friends to enjoy the same success.”
Coming from a variety of backgrounds, one thing many of them have in common is the desire for a better work-life balance, and the ability to spend more time with family.
“We have many husband-and-wife Filipino teams who enjoy working together, and who like the freedom of being able to structure their time around family commitments,” says Grant.
“As we build our franchise network we are also helping people build successful lives. Knowing that many of our franchisees own their own homes and have been able to support their families in other ways, such as educating their children, is very satisfying.
“I am sure Andrew and Rezzi, and their families, will enjoy the same success as they build their business and wish them the very best for their future.”
