In The News 
Rodney Wayne enters Franchise Hall of Fame 22nd November 2023
Rodney Wayne, the visionary founder of Rodney Wayne Hair Salons, has been officially inducted into the Franchise Hall of Fame.
Top franchisor speaks out on immigration 20th November 2023
21 November 2023 - Veteran Kiwi franchisor Rodney Wayne has again sparked debate about migration and skills shortages after saying that the past 12 months have been the toughest in the 53 years he has been in the hairdressing business.
He said under the accredited employer visa scheme, his salons had to pay about $2000 each time someone from offshore was brought over.
Franchisees had to pay more under the scheme than stand-alone businesses, he said.
See our long read - Why are visa changes costing franchisee employers more? A proposed review of the policy has already been delayed for at least a year.
Franchise Awards 2023 RESULTS 11th November 2023
<small>NZ Franchise Awards 2023 Results</small><br>BATTLE OF THE BRANDS 11th November 2023
11 November 2023 – This year’s Westpac New Zealand Franchise Awards were among the most hotly-contested ever, and it was fitting that there were two new names on the Supreme trophies from franchise brands that had never stood on the top step before
Australia proposes licensing franchisors 5th November 2023
6 November 2023 – Australia already has one of the most regulated franchise sectors in the world. Now the ACCC wants to introduce a licensing system which could strip the right to grant new franchises from franchisors
Economic outlook – where do we go from here? 30th October 2023
31 October 2023 – The latest Westpac Economic Overview looks at prospects for New Zealand in the wake of the election and comes up with a mixed bag
McDonald’s encourages people to ‘drop in for a chat’ 17th October 2023
18 October 2023 – McDonald’s is repeating last year's successful hiring day under a new name as it seeks more staff
Shape your business for financial sustainability 17th October 2023
She's baaa-ck! Thieves make ewe-turn on stolen sheep 17th October 2023
The giant sheep sculpture stolen from franchise lawyer Stewart Germann has turned up abandoned in a garden further down the street. See original story (and more puns) at https://franchise.co.nz/articles/3720-shear-nerve-franchise-lawyer-fleeced-in-ram-raid/
Franchise Lending Summit for Auckland 16th October 2023
17 October 2023 – The first Franchise Lending Summit in New Zealand is taking place in Auckland on Friday 10 November
Shear nerve - franchise lawyer fleeced in ram raid 12th October 2023
13 October 2023 – A giant sheep sculpture has been stolen from the garden of lawyer Stewart Germann
JOB SPOT – franchise veteran looking for work 12th October 2023
11 October 2023 – A well-established franchise executive is available to help franchisors on a contract basis
Field management training - November dates 6th October 2023
6 October 2023 - Dates have been released of the latest round of field management training programmes for franchises operating in New Zealand
2023 Franchise Awards finalists named 25th September 2023
25 September 2023 – The Westpac New Zealand Franchise Awards name the best performers in the business. This year’s finalists are …
Seminar on dealing with media threats 21st September 2023
In our latest magazine, we look at how franchisors and franchisees can suffer if they don't respond fast and well to bad news stories on social media or when questioned by journalists. There have been some real horror stories involving NZ franchise brands recently. A half-day seminar with media expert Pete Burdon on 12 October will show franchisor teams how to deal with news threats on professional and social media, including simulating an actual event. See more details here.
Good businesses in high demand 19th September 2023
20 September 2023 – The latest newsletter from business brokers ABC suggests that good business opportunities are in high demand thanks to record immigration
Free seminar – how to recruit quality franchisees 17th September 2023
September 2023 – Franchise Lab is presenting a free online seminar designed for franchisor executives on Friday 22 September
Lawn & garden franchise goes electric 13th September 2023
13 September 2023 – Green Acres has partnered with Stihl to launch an ambitious nationwide emissions reduction programme by transitioning from petrol to battery-powered equipment
Cabin franchise takes out top hire industry award 11th September 2023
September 2023 – Cabin hire franchise Mizin has been named Hire Company of the Year at the annual awards of the Hire Industry Association of New Zealand (HIANZ).
Conference drives opportunity 11th September 2023
September 2023 – The National Franchise Conference in Christchurch fuelled discussion, change and growth for franchisors and franchisees
Franchise Association Board named 11th September 2023
September 2023 – The Franchise Association has elected an unchanged Board for 2023-2024, but there's a new Chair
Subway bought by private equity firm 24th August 2023
Cookie Time sandwiches scoop ice cream medals 21st August 2023
August 21 – Cookie Time’s new Cookie Sandwiches have taken out Gold and Silver medals in the prestigious New Zealand Ice Cream Association Awards
Franchise brands back better chicken 18th August 2023
19 August 2023 - Columbus Coffee and Mexico have joined The Coffee Club and Bird on a Wire as signatories to the Better Chicken Commitment which sets out higher welfare standards for chickens bred for meat
The state of franchising in Australia 14th August 2023
August 2023 – New report shows strengths and concerns of Aussie franchise sector
NZ economy undergoing rebalancing? 14th August 2023
August 2023 – How fast will the New Zealand economy recover? The latest Westpac Economic Overview looks at the pros and cons, and we offer some key points for franchising
Visa scheme enables migrant scams while penalising franchisees 10th August 2023
11 August 2023 - The Accredited Employer Work Visa scheme introduced last year is open to abuse, making migrant exploitation more rather than less easy, according to immigration advisor Ankur Sabharwal.
Restaurant Brands price increases not keeping up with inflation 7th August 2023
8 August 2023 – Keeping customer loyalty costs Pizza Hut, KFC, Carl’s Jr. and Taco Bell operator
Inflation drops, property sales rise 19th July 2023
Latest data on the Consumer Price Index has shown inflation dropped in the second quarter of 2023, from 6.7 percent to 6.0 percent. Food prices remained the biggest problem, and were the largest contributor to the June 2023 annual inflation rate. That was due to rising prices for vegetables, ready-to-eat food, milk, cheese, and eggs. Vegetable prices increased 23.3 per cent in the year to June 2023, affected especially by labour shortages, erratic weather, and increases in wage and fuel costs.
The overall 6 percent figure is broadly on a par with the Euro Zone and the USA (whose published figure of 3 percent is based on different criteria), and below that of the UK (8.7 percent) and Australia (7 percent).
When it comes to tackling inflation, Westpac chief economist Kelly Eckhold told the New Zealand Herald, ‘A lot of the market participants would say the US and New Zealand have done some of the better jobs.’ (paywall content)
Meanwhile, CoreLogic NZ’s latest Monthly Housing Chart Pack shows residential sales figures increased 17 percent in the 12 months to June, hot on the heels of the 8 percent annual bump recorded in May. ‘It’s important to note that this increase has started from a low base, but as pent-up demand starts to emerge it’s likely we’ll see more increases in sales activity in the remainder of 2023,’ said CoreLogic NZ Chief Property Economist Kelvin Davidson.
Clear as mud? Franchise terms you need to know 19th July 2023
July 2022 – Franchising has its own jargon which can be pretty confusing to the newcomer. Here’s a guide to help you understand what it all means.
Reporter questions BK portion size value 7th July 2023
7 July 2023 – A self-confessedly 'unscientific study' by a reporter of portion sizes at three Auckland Burger King restaurants has revealed considerable differences, with all weights falling below those published by the company. The V-shaped fries scoop first invented in the 1960s for McDonald's fills a bag in one easy motion and even aligns the fries in the same direction. However, it does not measure weight.
A spokesperson for Burger King’s parent company in New Zealand, Antares Restaurant Group, said it would be reviewing the weights on all fry sizes . Variation in weight was normal, but the company blamed the weather for potatoes with 'poor structure'. 'In the last two years, there’s been huge potato shortages due to extreme weather events. Often during wet weather periods, you will not have the same dense potato quality as you get during prime growing conditions.'
All Burger King restaurants are company-owned by Antares as master licensee,, rather than being sub-franchised to individual operators.
Franchisees miss out as visa policy review delayed 4th July 2023
4 July 2023 – MBIE has delayed an expected review of its treatment of franchisee-owned businesses under its Accredited Employer Work Visa programme
NZ ranked best in world for work/life balance 28th June 2023
29 June 2023 – A new index ranks New Zealand as the most attractive country in the world for those seeking a balanced lifestyle
Australia honours franchise leaders 19th June 2023
June 2023 – Two leading figures in the world of franchising have been recognised in Australia’s King’s Birthday Honours List
More speakers announced for Franchise Conference 19th June 2023
June 2023 – The impact of AI and Chat GPT on franchising will be among the topics discussed at this year's National Franchise Conference in Christchurch. The expanded list of speakers includes local and international experts
Pack & Send acquires local master licensee 11th June 2023
May 2023 –The Pack & Send New Zealand master licensee company has been acquired by parent company MBE Worldwide
Free seminar – dealing with invisible risks 5th June 2023
June 2023 – A new online seminar will advise franchisors on updating their franchise foundations to cope with the unexpected
Economy ‘very close to turning point’ says Westpac 15th May 2023
16 May 2023 – The latest Economic Overview from Westpac suggests that, although New Zealand still faces challenges, the economy is unlikely to slow as much as previously feared. Does that make now a good time to look at new opportunities?
Social media 'outrage' – Kiwi franchisees under fire 11th May 2023
May 2023 – A couple of news stories recently involving big franchised brands in New Zealand have highlighted the potential brand damage from careless – if well-meaning – social media posts being placed by franchisees or their employees
NZ attractive to international franchise brands 9th May 2023
May 2023 – The latest global ranking of countries by franchise potential shows New Zealand in a top position, slightly out-performing Australia. Why?
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