In The News 
Fast food brands show strong growth in NZ 3rd May 2024
2 May 2024 – Restaurant Brands’ sales in New Zealand were up by more than 15 percent in the first quarter of 2024
New faces at Franchise New Zealand 30th April 2024
March 2024 – Meet the growing team behind Franchise New Zealand
Franchise conference registrations open now 29th April 2024
With an expanded speaker line up and innumerable networking opportunities, this year's National Franchise Conference promises plenty as early bird registrations open.
Declining job market could be good news for franchising 26th April 2024
Figures released this week show a significant dip in the jobs market in Aotearoa - but what does this mean for franchise opportunities across the country?
Clean break - franchisee retires after 24 years 23rd April 2024
After a career with CrestClean spanning three decades, Christchurch franchisee Grant Holland is taking many memories away from his work as he finally packs up his cleaning equipment.
Fair deal for franchisees as Government announces visa changes 7th April 2024
7 April 2024 updated 2 May 2024 – Changes to the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) scheme to disestablish the special franchisee accreditation category have been delayed. Once enacted, the changes will enable franchisees to apply to bring in workers from overseas through the standard, high-volume, or triangular employment accreditation.
NZ real estate franchise set to expand to Australia 5th April 2024
Kiwi firm Bayleys is set to expand into Australia if a joint bid with Knight Frank for Sydney's McGrath real estate agency is approved. The business comprises a franchise arm, company-owned operations, project marketing and a mortgage broking business, Oxygen Home Loans.
Knight Frank is one of the largest residential specialist agencies in Europe but less so in Australia, while the New Zealand-based Bayleys is keen to expand into the east coast of Australia. Bayleys managing director Mike Bayley told the Brisbane Times that he views the partnership with McGrath and Knight Frank as a 'collaboration of leading real estate companies servicing markets on both sides of the Tasman whilst providing unprecedented global reach.'
More penalties for employers who exploit migrant workers 2nd April 2024
3 April 2024 – New infringement penalties for employers who take advantage of migrant workers could see them lose accredited employer status, face fines over $1000, or even face criminal charges
Training programmes - improving franchisee performance 28th March 2024
Four training programmes being held in May/June/July 2024 are designed to address the needs of the owners and managers of franchise systems, field managers and support office staff
Niche retailer to close 20th March 2024
21 March 2024 – Vacuum cleaner retailer Godfreys will close all stores across Australia and New Zealand by the end of May after failing to find a buyer for the business. Godfreys appointed administrators in late January to both the Australian parent company and its New Zealand subsidiary. It had 25 stores in New Zealand, 9 of which were franchised. Franchisees were informed Godfreys could no longer support them and had until the end of March to sell existing stock or return stock sold to them during the administration.
Top US names for NZ franchise conference 14th March 2024
March 2024 – International visitors will take centre stage at connectXperience – the 2024 National Franchise Conference
What happens after you enquire about a franchise? 12th March 2024
Meredith Taylor and Nathan Bonney outline what to expect from the moment you first contact a franchise and say, ‘I’m interested in your opportunity’
Splat! When media hits the fan 12th March 2024
News stories show need for franchises to be ready to handle hostile social and professional media
NZ home services group hits half-billion height 12th March 2024
March 2024 – Kiwi franchise group Traffic has reached a major milestone this March, with over half a billion dollars of work completed and a new franchise brand opportunity being unveiled amid global expansion plans
Beer boss goes to Hell 6th March 2024
7 March – Hell’s new CEO, Josh Drake, is swapping craft beer for pizza as the former Panhead GM takes on the challenge of leading one of New Zealand’s best-known franchise brands
Franchise Lending Summit for Auckland 5th March 2024
Franchising continues to exceed expectations in US 5th March 2024
March 2024 – New data from a highly-respected research company has shown that franchises in the US are continuing to defy economic hurdles with higher-than-expected growth
Defaulting franchisee in breach again 5th March 2024
A Christchurch entrepreneur who was stripped of three real estate franchises in 2017 owing to breaches of the franchise agreement has now had two gyms closed because she failed to pay franchise fees. She had also allegedly failed to pay rent.
Events around the country 18th February 2024
The Franchise Association of New Zealand (FANZ) organises regular events all round the country to encourage all those with an interest in franchising to get together, learn more about the issues involved and share ideas and experiences. A number of other specialists also hold franchising seminars and workshops in person and online. Our events page includes a list of upcoming events with links for details and registration.
How to reduce risk when buying a franchise 15th February 2024
Final report recommends licensing of franchisors in Australia 15th February 2024
February 2024 – The latest in a long series of reviews of the franchise sector in Australia has recommended the licensing of franchisors. Jason Gehrke of the Franchise Advisory Centre reports
Outlook improves for NZ franchisors, franchisees 14th February 2024
14 February 2024 – New Zealand franchising enters 2024 more optimistic than 2023 despite some economic headwinds and challenges, says latest Franchising Confidence Index
Business sales predicted to increase in 2024 12th February 2024
February 2024 – Demand for businesses is expected to grow after election year wobbles
Economists forecast better growth, lower inflation 1st February 2024
2 February 2024 – Respected economic consultancy Infometrics is forecasting an improved economic outlook for New Zealand, with better GDP growth and inflation coming under control sooner than previously forecast
Godfreys franchisees to keep trading as company enters administration 30th January 2024
Vacuum and cleaning retailer Godfreys Group has appointed voluntary administrators amid a struggle with profitability and sales. The administrators will be seeking to sell the business and its assets as a going concern.
Godfreys was established in Australia in 1931 and is one of the world’s largest vacuum retailers and suppliers of specialty commercial floor care and associated cleaning products in New Zealand and Australia. The administrators, PwC, said Godfreys operates 141 stores and employs more than 600 staff across Australia and New Zealand. It also has an additional 28 stores run by franchisees. In New Zealand, there are 16 company-operated and 9 franchised stores.
During the administration period, the Godfreys business will continue to trade while PwC undertakes an operational restructure and sale process.
Franchise New Zealand media changes hands 24th January 2024
24 January 2024 – Franchise New Zealand has joined forces with Eden Exchange to take its multi-media platforms into a new era
Business confidence on the rise 23rd January 2024
Recent reports suggest that business confidence is on the rise again following the formation of the coalition Government late last year. A Radio New Zealand report said that ANZ's December monthly survey showed a net 33 percent of respondents expected the overall economy to improve over the next 12 months, the highest since March 2015. A net 29 percent said their own business outlook was positive, a two-year high.
Meanwhile, the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research’s Quarterly Survey of Business Opinion suggested that business confidence rose sharply in the final three months of 2023 despite concerns over the sluggish economy.
At the same time, annual inflation fell in line with economists’ expectations to 4.7 percent in the final three months of 2023, down from 5.6 percent in the previous quarter.
The annual Franchise Confidence Index, which measures the responses of franchisors and specialist service providers, is due to be published in a few weeks' time.
Survey of Franchising 2024 starts soon 23rd January 2024
24 January 2024 – Franchisors asked to help the Massey University researchers next month to get the next Survey under way
Mitre 10 changes culturally insensitive product names 23rd January 2024
Mitre 10 is changing the names of some bathroom products because they are culturally insensitive.
Mitre 10's imported 'Legacy' brand was using te reo Māori lake and river names for items such as toilet seats, toilet roll holders, robe hooks, grab rails and towel rails. The names, apparently used for five years, have now been covered with stickers using English language versions until current stock is sold.
Trialling new staff to get easier 23rd January 2024
January 2024 – Return of 90-day trial periods a welcome development for small business
Pioneering NZ master franchise up for sale 22nd January 2024
23 January 2024 – Plant-based fast food chain Lord of the Fries is looking for a new master franchisee to drive growth
Domino's appoints new GM for New Zealand 15th January 2024
16 January 2023 – The pizza giant promotes from within as it plans more growth on this side of the Tasman
Customers flock to McDonald's new retro drinks brand 11th December 2023
Long queues have formed outside the first branch of new McDonald's concept brand CosMc's in Chicago - but will the new retro-themed, drinks-focused brand have staying power?
CosMc's yellow-and-purple design is meant to evoke nostalgia for the brand's past and is named after a strange and obscure company mascot - a cheeseburger-obsessed orange alien with six arms that featured in McDonald's advertising starting in the 1980s.
The menu is slightly more up to date. It includes breakfast sandwiches with slight uplifts - one comes with avocado and tomatillo along with egg and sausage - desserts such as filled donut-like pastries called McPops, and snacks including pretzel bites.
The real focus, however, is a long list of drinks that involve various permutations of caffeine, sugar and colours designed to pop on Instagram. They have names like Churro Frappe, S'Mores Cold Brew, Tumeric Spiced Latte and Tropical Spiceaide - a sweet lemonade with a slight kick and red fruits bobbing along the top. The drinks can be customised with various syrups, flavours, vitamin shots and boba - chewy, trendy tapioca pearls.
The spirit of Christmas is back at The Coffee Club 4th December 2023
December 2023 - KidsCan and The Coffee Club proudly unveil the young winners of this year’s Christmas Cup Artwork Competition
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
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