How Maccas shaped this young X-Golf franchisee
With a surname like “Goodluck”, bold business decisions must come with quiet confidence. But growing up with an entrepreneur dad, who runs two Maccas, also helps.
With a vision to overhaul the social scene in Melbourne’s outer southeast, about 50 kilometres from the CBD, Steve Goodluck and his wife, Cheyna, have poured their savings into a golf-bar hybrid venue, X-Golf.
And not afraid of a bit of elbow grease, the pair has painstakingly built the $1.5-million Clyde North venue from the ground up while facing another big life moment – the birth of their first child, Bobby, now six weeks old.
“We’ve certainly got a lot going on,” said Goodluck, 32.
Working against the clock to add finishing touches, the pair will no doubt head to their new bar – for a beer or cocktail – before it opens next week, with something stronger to offer Dad than a chocolate thickshake.
Steve’s dad, Mike Goodluck, has owned two McDonald’s franchises – in Bairnsdale and Lakes Entrance – in country Victoria for almost 30 years.
“It was pretty cool having an entrepreneurial dad as a kid,” said Goodluck.
“I was always in the shops, helping out from a young age. It was exciting, and definitely left its mark. Even the small things like making collars for Big Macs and playing around in the back office were formative memories for me. McDonalds was definitely in my veins from a young age,” he added.
Goodluck said his dad has a wealth of knowledge and tips on how to navigate his first franchise.
“Dad is a driven person, but he’s obviously getting closer to retirement now, so he has more time to back me in terms of knowledge and mentorship as a franchise owner,” he said.
“Having that background is why I trust a franchise system, because proven processes are set in place and if you back that system, it’ll only reward you.”
It took 15 years working at McDonalds for Goodluck to follow his own dream, leaning into his passion for golf to buy the fifth X-Golf venue in Victoria.
“This is the first franchise I’ve owned independently, so it’s a very exciting time,” said Steve.
“We chose Clyde North because there’s nothing like it in the area.
“Moving into X-Golf, I definitely apply organisational aspects and management strategies based on what I know from Maccas. I find that I keep going back to what I learnt there, so my plan is to apply what works to my own franchise; it’s all very exciting.”
Goodluck described the new venture, which he will run with the help of eight locals, as “a unique sports-entertainment hybrid, with welcoming hospitality and fantastic food and drink options”.
The new establishment, a single-storey venue spanning 611 square metres, offers one-on-one coaching with PGA-accredited players and accessibility for players of all abilities.
Victoria’s other X-Golf venues are in Surrey Hills, Preston, Mornington and Geelong.
X-Golf, in Clyde North, is located at 52 Selenium Way. It is set to open on August 21.
