A whole new vibe

I have been a regular Oliver's customer for 19 years. You guessed it, I value eating healthy food!

My first Oliver's experience was at Wyong northbound in 2005. I was thrilled to discover a Macca's alternative.

Not long after my first visit I bumped into Jason. His enthusiasm and passion for the Oliver's concept was obvious. He really didn't like the food Macca's dished up and nor did I.

I was also struck by Jason's humility and willingness to receive feedback and new ideas from others.

I once told him I thought his signage should be bigger and bolder (like Maccas). A few months later I returned to find bigger and bolder Oliver's signs.

On another occasion I described the organic honey ginger beer I brewed with raw honey from my own bees and my home grown ginger. Jason invited me to become a supplier. I just smiled but now you will find "red dragon organic living elixir honey brew tumeric and ginger beer" on the shelves at Olivers.

I think Jason did a brilliant job to bring Olivers to the ipo stage. I participated in the float but like many was disappointed with the first set of accounts so exited with a healthy profit (no pun intended).

I believe Jason soon realsed Oliver's required a new kind of leader with fast food business expertise so he wisely stepped back and handed the reins to Greg Madigan - "he must increase, while I must decrease".

On my most recent visit to Wyong northbound I was gob smacked! A whole new vibe - trendy decor, improved seating capacity, new signage, new menu options and lower prices.

The shelves of books on healthy eating were replaced by a simple but effective wall sized story board - "the world's first certified organic fast food chain .... with an Oliver's twist".

There was a buzz of activity. The self ordering kiosks were being heavily used and I suspect many of the customers were Macca's regulars visiting Oliver's for the first time. All appeared happy and excited.

My meal was about $6 cheaper than before. My favourite "vege korma with steamed brown rice" had run out for the first time! Was Wyong northbound experiencing a surprising lift in demand?

I believe Greg and his team will avoid the ice berg and will slowly but surely turn the ship around and head for warmer waters.

I am convinced the new look Oliver's will win customers from Macca's and will generate profits.

I have therefore decided to become an Oliver's shareholder once again.