The Hamods won the title at the NAB Franchise Council of Australia Excellence in Franchising Awards held at Darling Harbour.

The business has come a long way since the couple took over in 2004 and became the youngest regional franchisees.

"I was 24 at the time," Mr Hamod said.

But youth proved no barrier to consistent growth.

The number of couriers has risen from six to 17 in the past nine years just to keep up with demand.

With five office staff, the business now employs 22 people who provide an efficient courier service from Helensburgh to Ulladulla and including the Southern Highlands.

"We have experienced 32 per cent growth for each of the last three years," he said.

"And we are forecasting 25 per cent growth for the next two to three ... year on year."

Mr Hamod would like to expand his territory to include the Goulburn region, as well as provide a service to Appin and Douglas Park.

In the meantime he and his wife, and their team, will just keep doing what has worked for them by focusing on building a reputation based on great customer service and using that to generate positive word-of-mouth and more sales.

"To have won this award is fantastic," he said.

"It's one of the highest accolades you can achieve as a franchisee. It's unexpected but very welcome. I had this great feeling of joy. It was overwhelming because I did not consider we would win."

Mr Hamod grew up in Nowra before moving to Wollongong to attend university.

He said he would not have won the award without the great team of people he worked with and the great franchise model, communication and support he received from the Fastway franchise.

Fastway Couriers chief executive Richard Thame said it was no surprise that the Hamods had been selected among the state's leading franchisees.

"The award is the most recent of many for the Hamods, including being recognised twice as Fastway Couriers' own best regional franchisee in 2006 and 2010," he said.

"As our youngest ever national franchise business manager and, later, our youngest ever regional franchisee, it's very clear that Anthony has always possessed a very clear sense of drive and purpose throughout his 11 years with Fastway.

"His keen business sense, strong leadership and consistent adherence to Fastway's franchise system has seen Fastway Couriers Wollongong become one of the fastest growing in Fastway's national network."

Pictured: Fastway Couriers franchisees general manager Peter Lipinski (left) with Wollongong’s Andrea and Anthony Hamod and Fastway Couriers chief executive Richard Thame celebrating after the Hamods were named Fastway Couriers NSW franchisees of the year. CREDIT: Greg Ellis