Reflections on the year, recharging for 2025

From visa advocacy to sector survey research, provision of a world class franchising conference to a collective franchising excellence celebration, 2024 has seen us putting our hearts and souls into supporting the sector. Like all of you, we’re ready for a summer break but before we do, let’s recap on the 2024 highlights and take a peek forward to 2025... 

Accredited Employer Work Visa summary

FANZ worked hard over an extended period of time to advocate for members and the sector in this area, and was delighted with the changes that came into effect in April 2024.  It was pleasing to report that franchisees are now on an even playing field with all other employers, after changes to the Accredited Employer Work Visa scheme this year. 

FANZ continued to seek further changes through a recent submission to highlight ongoing issues for business sales and are delighted to see a result, with changes effective from 6 November. 

In summary, the latest changes will assist with the issue of business sales where the potential or new owner has not yet achieved Accreditation and therefore has been unable to retain employees who may have been working in the business under an AEW Visa. 

Franchising New Zealand 2024 Survey

The 2024 survey follows previous reports from 2010, 2012, 2017 and 2021. FANZ were pleased to continue the collaboration by engaging Massey University to conduct the Franchising New Zealand 2024 Survey. This is a significant piece of research, which provides important data for the understanding and future development of franchising as a business model in the New Zealand environment. In October, the results of the 2024 Franchising New Zealand survey showed that franchising in this country is in solid shape. Despite global economic challenges, the New Zealand franchise sector has demonstrated strong growth over the three years since the last survey. 

It found the total turnover of the sector has increased from $36.8 billion 2021 to $47.2 billion in 2024 (excluding motor vehicle sales and fuel retail), representing a substantial 22% growth in the sector. The total turnover is equivalent to 11% of New Zealand’s GDP. We were pleased to see this points to the resilience of the franchise business model and its ability to be sustainable even during challenging times. 

Also pleasing was the fact that this year’s survey attracted more franchisor respondents than in 2021, representing 21% of the total franchise sector. Obviously, the more responses, the better the data. The 2024 survey also confirms that New Zealand is still the most franchised country in the world, with an estimated one franchise unit per 168 Kiwis.

Franchisee Pre-entry Online Education Programme

This year, we have seen increasing use of our franchisee pre-entry online education programme. The platform gives anyone keen to learn more about becoming a franchisee, an opportunity to upskill through a series of online modules. From franchising basics to finance, systems and start up through to conducting due diligence, this tool is accessible to all in the New Zealand franchise community. It can be found on the FANZ website at franchiseassociation.org.nz/online-course/

Franchising Community

FANZ actively works to engage the entire franchise community, by providing forums for the sharing, learning and celebrating of franchising as well as advocating on behalf of the franchising business model.   

The association is now in the planning stages of its 2025 calendar. Among next year’s offerings, the team is excited to be able to offer two exciting major event highlights...

National Franchise Conference 2025

“The popularity of this event continues to increase every year, with members and non-members alike making this an essential event on their professional calendar,” says FANZ CEO Robyn Pickerill. “We are proud of all it provides to the franchise community. You need to be there to see and hear first-hand the breadth and depth of learning, and to experience the extensive networking opportunities on offer. Plus, it’s a lot of fun! Mark the date in your 2025 diary now.” 

Save the date: August 3-5 Claudelands, Hamilton
Theme: Fuelling Franchise Forward – Many voices, one community

Westpac New Zealand Franchise Awards Celebration 2025

The 29th Awards were celebrated in November with another fabulous night of recognition of franchising excellence at Auckland’s Cordis Hotel. FANZ congratulates the 2024 winners and finalists and thanks all involved for their participation and commitment to franchising. FANZ will continue to recognise, support and celebrate franchising excellence at its 30th year of celebration in 2025!

Save the date: Saturday 1 Nov 2025 at Cordis, Auckland

See this advertorial on page 46 of Franchise New Zealand magazine Year 33 Issue 04

Contact details for Franchise Association of New Zealand

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