Meet Cam

Cam and Kat have their hands full. With four children and eight stores to run, stretching from Dunedin to the Tron, they are no strangers to hard work and perseverance. Opening their first store in 2008, Cam is still entrenched in the daily operations of BurgerFuel’s Frankton and Rototuna stores. He then works closely with shareholders of BurgerFuel  Five Cross Roads, Taupō, Dunedin, Te Awamutu and Cambridge, all who started in one of Mcleods stores, then given the opportunity to come on board as Franchisees alongside Cam.

Cam is an astute businessman, coming from a background in accounting and working abroad for many years as a lawyer. The relentless paper pushing lifestyle saw him eager to move home and he was determined to put office work behind him once and for all. In the early 2000’s he found himself in Ponsonby and with Kat being a successful banker and “bringing home the bacon,” he had time to think about his next move.

He visited the BurgerFuel Ponsonby store often, with more than just grabbing a burger in mind. He had observed the uniqueness of the brand, the great product, and was aware of the gap in the market for premium gourmet burgers at the time. He knew that this was a burger joint with legs. “That was back in the day when BurgerFuel HQ was a four bedroom flat on Ponsonby Road,” says Cam, “the landscape was very different then.”

Perhaps the most inspiring aspect of what Cam brings to BurgerFuel as a franchisee is his ability to lead a team of young employees. He provides clear expectations and direction, balanced with unwavering support. His leadership has fostered loyalty, comradery and an exceptional culture that is held up as a model that other franchisees aspire to attain. So much so, that his staff endearingly refer to the wider team as, ‘The Cam Fam’ (#Camfam). Aw!        

The concept of hospitality as a career pathway is one that Cam wholeheartedly supports and it is demonstrated when sitting in on a store manager meeting and being surrounded by a group of young people all motivated to succeed within the business and beyond. Or take the time to chat to Cain running the Taupo store and learn more about the opportunities that were put in front of him as a keen young staff member, wanting to own his own business.

Under Cam’s directive, community involvement is paramount and the staff are all in. With an active promotions team, you will regularly see the Cam Fam out and about, getting amongst promoting new product launches, or activating at events and driving local brand awareness (like Waikato Uni O-weeks or BurgerFuel Cruise Nights). They keenly promote both the burgers and the pillars of the brand – car (Speed & Custom), creative (Creative, Sweet) and music (Radio BurgerFuel) culture. “I enjoy seeing my staff loving their jobs all whilst getting involved in everything else we do. We’re more than just great burgers and we love the opportunity to let customers know what we’re all about”.

Now a Hamilton local, he’s hard to miss, owning, not one, but two BurgerFuel custom classics - a 1971 Ford Ranchero and 1969 Plymouth Barracuda. He recommends the 4 Seasons River Run – a series of fun runs and walks in Hamilton, year-round, designed to get people outdoors and bring the community together. The perfect solution to a work/life balance when you own seven burger joints.

#Camfam

BurgerFuel Five Cross Roads: 230 Peachgrove Road, Claudelands, Hamilton | Ph: (07) 855 0088 | Sun – Thurs: 10am – 10pm | Fri: 10am – 11pm

BurgerFuel Frankton: 85 Greenwood Street, Frankton, Waikato | Ph: (07) 846 0334 | Sun – Thurs: 11am – 10pm | Fri: 11am – 12am | Sat: 11am – 11pm

BurgerFuel Rototuna: Countdown Centre, Horsham Downs Road, Rototuna | Ph: (07) 829 4555 | Sun – Thurs: 11am – 9pm | Fri – Sat: 11am – 10pm

BurgerFuel Taupō: 2 Roberts Street, Taupo | (07) 378 0002 | Sun – Thurs: 9am – 9pm | Fri – Sat: 9am – 10pm

BurgerFuel Te Awamutu: 144 Sloane Street, Te Awamutu | (07) 871 2161 |Sun- Tues 10am- 9pm | Wed - Sat 10am -10pm

BurgerFuel Cambridge: Unit 44/36 Lake Street, Cambridge | (07) 823 0202 | Sun- Tues 10am- 9pm | Wed - Sat 10am -10pm

BurgerFuel Dunedin: 695 Great King Street, Dunedin North | (03) 470 1295 | Mon -Sun 8.30am - late

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