GENUINE INTEREST

Albert Yee describes himself as a bit of a gasbag, loving nothing more than a good yarn with his customers. But the LynnMall franchisee was struggling for words when he found himself the recipient of Muffin Break’s New Zealand Franchisee of the Year award for the second time in a row. The 2026 award was presented to Albert at a gala dinner at the recent Foodco Conference in Sydney, with 400+ delegates in attendance. “It certainly was a surprise,” he admits, “I thought I’d had my turn.”

A fourth-generation Kiwi, born and bred in Auckland, Albert and his young family spent many years living and working from Hong Kong, with Albert’s IT job taking him all around the world. Eventually, a passion for baking saw him take a series of courses in cordon bleu cooking, qualifying as a patisserie chef. 

A love of people

When the time came to return to New Zealand, Albert considered several franchise business opportunities in hospitality, but found things really clicked when he sat down to talk with the Foodco team. Foodco New Zealand operate both the Muffin Break and Jamaica Blue franchises in this country. Albert says he particularly valued their focus on product, processes and systems to help him get started in the business.

“The Foodco business coaches are like operations managers – they really understand the practicalities of the business and are always there for us to reach out to. But the main attraction of hospitality for me is the people. We get to meet a lot of different people in the community, and my whole team works hard to make them feel as comfortable and welcome as possible. I have some very loyal staff who have been with me for three or four years. I think people know when you are genuinely interested and they really reciprocate.”

Most days of the week, Albert starts work at 6.30am in his LynnMall Muffin Break store, getting things ready for opening alongside the baker and putting in some quality customer chatting time. Around midday, he then heads on over to his Jamaica Blue franchise in Ponsonby and helps with the operations and front of house there too.

“I did have another Muffin Break franchise in Henderson, but I sold that one a few years ago to focus more on LynnMall. I think it is very important to be a hands-on business owner – you can’t manage things from behind a camera or get that buzz that comes from developing real relationships with your customers.”

Pete Hartley, general manager of Foodco New Zealand, says, “Albert is an incredibly valuable member of our franchisee community and one of the most genuine and pleasant people you could encounter. He owns two sites across both our brands, is a member of the Franchisee Executive Committee (FEC) and most importantly has a deep affection for people – his own team in whom he fosters a culture of trust and care, and his customers. Albert is well regarded by the team at Foodco and was truly deserving of the 2026 Franchisee of the Year Award.”

A genuine icon

For three decades, the smell of fresh-baked muffins, scones, and pastries at Muffin Break Riccarton has had one constant behind it: Andrew Smith, affectionately known to staff, customers, and fellow bakers simply as ‘Smithy’. This year, Andrew celebrates an extraordinary milestone – 30 years as a full-time baker at the same store, a feat that has made him a genuine icon of both the Riccarton and Foodco New Zealand communities.

After establishing himself within the bakery industry, Andrew offered to step in to help at Muffin Break Riccarton when an existing team member was off through an injury, never expecting that this short-term favour would turn into a lifelong career. What began as a temporary fix turned into thirty years of early mornings, warm ovens, and a steady stream of fresh baking that Riccarton locals have come to rely on and love.

A workplace romance

Muffin Break Riccarton didn’t just give Andrew a career – it also gave him his family. During his years at the store, he met Donna, who was working elsewhere within the same mall. The two hit it off, and their relationship blossomed alongside Andrew’s growing expertise behind the oven.

Andrew and Donna went on to marry and now have three children together, making Muffin Break Riccarton not just a workplace, but the setting where Andrew’s family story truly began.

Valued craftsman

Over 30 years, Andrew has baked for five different franchisees at Riccarton, through changing trends, new store layouts, generations of customers, and countless early mornings. His expertise has also been highly valued by the team at Foodco New Zealand. Andrew helps set the standard for Muffin Break baking and has been instrumental in product and menu development for the whole franchise.

Pete Hartley says that Andrew Smith’s dedication reflects a rare kind of loyalty and craftsmanship – showing up, day after day, for three decades, and building both a career and a family along the way. “Congratulations, Andrew – here’s to thirty remarkable years, and the many more to come.”  

See this advertorial on page 13 of Franchise New Zealand magazine Year 35 Issue 03

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