Younger, more diverse buyers are increasingly entering the market as older owners step aside.

The stars of New Zealand’s franchise community came out to shine in the 30th annual Westpac New Zealand Franchise Awards. We feature the winning results including two new Supreme title holders.

OCR Cut to 2.5%

Prominent franchise specialist lawyer and notary Stewart Germann has been internationally recognised for his outstanding contribution to the notarial profession.

New Zealand's employment landscape has undergone significant legislative changes in 2025, impacting franchised business and employees nationwide.  

In a development with major implications for franchise governance and competition law in Aotearoa, the Commerce Commission has filed civil proceedings accusing Harcourts’ Christchurch franchise network of engaging in cartel conduct. 

The co-founder of Ben & Jerry's resigned last week from his position as brand ambassador, saying that the franchise has been silenced by its corporate owners

Featuring photographs and research acquired through field work in over 50 countries, Gary He's new book shows how franchises like McDonald's must adapt to survive as they expand globally.

19 September 2025 – The 30th Westpac New Zealand Franchise Awards name the best performers in the business. This year’s finalists are …

Auckland Council grants consent for a stand-alone new drive-thru McDonald's restaurant on a corner site off Broadway

Westpac and other major banks cut interest rates again after this week's OCR drop, with likely further cuts ahead

August 2025 – The latest Westpac Economic Overview tries to answer New Zealand's big question - "Are we there yet?"

Retailers, hospitality providers and service providers across the breadth of the franchise sector will be faced with a hard choice when the proposed surcharge ban is implemented in May 2026. Will the ban affect the ability for franchisees to recoup costs when making across the counter sales, or drive more shoppers online if prices have to rise in-store? Do the changes address the root cause of the problems inherent in credit surcharges? 

Read more at https://www.nzherald.co.nz/...

July 2025 – The latest global ranking of countries by franchise potential shows New Zealand in a top position, out-performing other APAC countries like Singapore and Australia. Why and how?

The FANZ inaugural Franchise Legal Symposium will be held prior to New Zealand's internationally lauded National Franchise Conference, which in 2025 is taking place in Hamilton from 3-5 August.

Life-work balance is now considered the number-one motivator for employees all over the world, with workplace flexibility outranking salary in importance in a recent survey of thousands of international workers. Remote’s annual Global Life-Work Balance Index reveals the best and worst countries for life-work balance around the world - with New Zealand topping the list for the third consecutive year.

Winners from the inaugural Franchise Industry Awards held in Sydney, Australia

We look at how franchise communities around the world are planning to celebrate the first ever World Franchise Day on June 11, 2025 and what you can do to join in.

There is good news but also some downsides for New Zealand franchises from the 2025 Budget released yesterday

Westpac’s May 2025 Economic Overview reports Kiwis rolling with the punches amidst signs of the economy strengthening to improve access to finance and lift consumer spending over the coming months.

In a well-attended webinar held yesterday, organised by the U.S. Commercial Service and the International Trade Organisation, U.S.-based franchisors and suppliers to the sector were given a comprehensive overview of the New Zealand franchise market.

Have you spotted a large group of 50 minis heading down country this week? The Pork Pie Charity run has begun!

New Zealand is officially out of recession according to figures released by Stats NZ today, with a majority of industry sectors showing better than expected growth in the December 2024 quarter.

Almost a year after sweeping changes to the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) were announced, new rules are in place.

Franchisors anticipate the gradual economic recovery will improve business results for both their franchisees' and their own businesses, according to the latest Franchising Confidence Index figures.

The RBNZ cut the OCR by 50bp to 3.75% as expected, with scope for further interest rate cuts in coming months.

How are we feeling about franchising in New Zealand in early 2025? What are the trends, challenges and opportunities for growth? 

...and plans to bake te ao Māori into her business

Two franchising personalities are taking Minty the Mini to Invercargill once again – and aiming for a $100,000 donation to KidsCan - with a little help from their friends!

The Franchise Association of New Zealand has announced long-serving CEO Robyn Pickerill is to retire from the role. 

Starting 2025 with a bang, Franchise New Zealand Media owners have announced a major acquisition to take the company multi-international.

As we enter the new year, how confident are we? 

Stewart Germann Law Office has achieved international recognition in the Best Franchise Law Firm category of the 2025 Global Franchise Awards.

With lessons for buyers and sellers alike, the 2024 New Zealand Prospective Franchisee Research survey is the second in a series conducted by Franchize Consultants and Franchise New Zealand media. 

Well-known faces, and old friends, from the Subway franchise scene are breathing life into more QSR brands in Aotearoa.

The November 2024 Westpac Quarterly Economic Overview will bring music to many ears...

Winning franchises are a driving force for building a bright future. The results of the 2024 Westpac New Zealand Franchise Awards brought two new Supreme winning brands to the podium.

A revised, updated singular document has been unveiled by the Franchise Association of New Zealand to steer best practice in franchising.

Immigration New Zealand has released updates and figures on visas processed, investigations and suspensions against accredited employer since changes to AEWV scheme in April.