In The News

So says the New Zealand Economic Overview August 2024, Westpac's outlook for the New Zealand economy, fiscal policy, the global economy, financial markets, and the primary sector

Commerce Commission sees potential for over $250m reduction in payment fees for New Zealanders.

Shift in Kiwi employee priorities: 45% say work-life balance comes before salary, study finds 

New Zealand franchisors are being encouraged to participate now in the Franchising NZ 2024 survey

8 July 2024 - Franchise New Zealand is saddened to learn of the death of David Munn, one of New Zealand's franchise pioneers

Fast food giant reverts to humans for drive-thru ordering across USA after three-year trial of AI tech reveals clangers.

With Matariki being marked this Friday 28 June, it's a timely reminder for employers and employees to refresh their understanding of their rights and responsibilities during this public holiday.

MBIE Labour Inspectorate Compliance Manager - Northern David Milne says it’s important for employees to know their minimum rights on public holidays, and for employers to understand their obligations.

'If a public holiday falls on a day that employees would otherwise be working, the employer must still pay them a full paid day off,' says David. 'If employees are working on a public holiday, then they’re entitled to be paid time and a half, and they may also get an alternative day off.'

Unlike Christmas Day, Good Friday, Easter Sunday and until 1pm on Anzac Day, there are no trading restrictions for Matariki or other public holidays.

Employees can only be made to work on a public holiday if it falls on a day that they would normally be working, or if their employment agreement confirms that they should be working on the public holiday.

For further information on public holidays, employers’ responsibilities and employee rights, see Public Holidays - Employment New Zealand.

Read more at https://franchise.co.nz/fra...

24 May 2024 – Franchise New Zealand is very sorry to learn of the death of Al Dunn, the former CEO of McDonald's from 1993-2004.

Wendy’s NZ has been bought by American franchise giant Flynn Group for an undisclosed sum. The New Zealand master licence for the American burger chain was put up for sale in 2022 by the Lendich family, who have operated the business here since 1988. The company has over 20 restaurants in New Zealand, all operated directly by the master franchisee.

The USA-based Flynn Group has more than 2,600 units globally with a combined turnover of US$4.5 billion. It has franchises for Applebees, Arby's, Panera Bread, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, Wendy's and Planet Fitness. Flynn Group first entered the Wendy’s system in 2021 with the acquisition of 190+ restaurants in the USA, and in 2023 acquired Wendy’s master licence for Australia with the goal of building 200 restaurants by 2024.

See more at https://www.franchisetimes.com/franchise_mergers_and_acquisitions/flynn-group-bolsters-international-portfolio-with-wendys-new-zealand-acquisition/article_f550c072-16e8-11ef-b38c-c3255b1441d7.html 

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

16 May 2024 – Changes to the Accredited Employer Work Visa scheme (AEWV) announced on 7 April will come into force next month, it was announced today. Franchisees will then be treated equally to other employers.

15 May 2024 – The latest Economic Overview from Westpac says spring will come for New Zealand, although we need to do the hard yards through winter first. How will this affect prospects for franchisors and franchisees?

Listen as Brad discusses his origins in franchising, why he joined the Franchise Association of New Zealand’s board, the state of franchising in New Zealand, how the Franchise Association of New Zealand advocates for New Zealand franchisors and franchisees, and so much more. This is one of a series of podcasts on franchising produced by Franchise New Zealand's new owners, Eden Exchange. 

Read more at https://www.edenexchange.co...

Changes to the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) scheme to disestablish the special franchisee accreditation category have been delayed. Sources say that the delay is owing to 'IT issues'. No firm date has been given for the resolution of these; estimates given have ranged from mid-June to up to three months.

Read more at https://franchise.co.nz/art...

2 May 2024 – Restaurant Brands’ sales in New Zealand were up by more than 15 percent in the first quarter of 2024

March 2024 – Meet the growing team behind Franchise New Zealand

With an expanded speaker line up and innumerable networking opportunities, this year's National Franchise Conference promises plenty as early bird registrations open.

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?

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. 

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.

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.'

Read more at https://www.brisbanetimes.c...

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

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

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.

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

March 2024 – International visitors will take centre stage at connectXperience – the 2024 National Franchise Conference

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’

News stories show need for franchises to be ready to handle hostile social and professional media

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

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

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

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.

Read more at https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-...

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.

Read more at https://franchise.co.nz/art...

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

14 February 2024 – New Zealand franchising enters 2024 more optimistic than 2023 despite some economic headwinds and challenges, says latest Franchising Confidence Index

February 2024 – Demand for businesses is expected to grow after election year wobbles

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

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.

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

24 January 2024 – Franchise New Zealand has joined forces with Eden Exchange to take its multi-media platforms into a new era 

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.

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