In The News 
The outlook for franchising in 2022 23rd February 2022
23 February 2022 – Westpac’s latest quarterly Economic Overview looks at what lies ahead as New Zealand faces Omicron, and the Franchising Confidence Index finds franchisors looking for opportunities in a gloomy start to the year
Kiwi cafe franchise sold 10th February 2022
Suntory Beverage and Food Ltd has announced it is to sell its fresh coffee business in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore to UCC Coffee. This includes New Zealand’s oldest café franchise, Robert Harris.
UCC are a leading global coffee business, and have built hugely successful brands and blends across Asia, Europe and the Americas. With no other operations in Australia and New Zealand, they see the acquisition as a highly complementary opportunity to create a truly global leader in the coffee industry.
The sale is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2022, (subject to regulatory approvals). Suntory say that, in the meantime, it remains business as usual for suppliers and partners with no change to day-to-day operations.
Robert Harris was born in 1897 in Sydney but lived most of his life in Hamilton. He ran a hairdressers and tobacconist’s shop before starting a delicatessen, and began selling coffee in a small way in 1952. He soon became fascinated by the coffee business and eventually devoted his life to building what became New Zealand’s first chain of cafés. Robert Harris died in 1974, and there are now 34 franchised cafés bearing his name around the country.
New owners for food franchise 9th February 2022
10 February 2022 – Asia-based investment company PAG Asia Capital has sold The Cheesecake Shop to Melbourne's River Capital, a boutique asset manager. The Cheesecake Shop operates more than 220 franchised stores across Australia and New Zealand.
PAG bought TCS in 2017 and also owns the Red Rooster, Oporto and Chicken Treat brands.
River Capital has a history of investing in franchise concepts: it was previously a significant shareholder in Brumby’s before it was sold to Retail Food Group, and has had investments in Domino’s and KFC.
Franchise Awards move online 1st February 2022
1 February 2022 - The Westpac New Zealand Franchise Awards will take place as an online-only event on 6 March.
No jabs franchisee loses business 27th January 2022
27 January 2022 – A franchisee which advertised for unvaccinated staff despite the mandatory requirement for hospitality staff to be vaccinated has left the business after being fined $24,000 for breaching the mandate. The franchisor reportedly gave them 10 days to comply or leave
2021 Franchising Survey – RESULTS 7th December 2021
The Franchising New Zealand Survey 2021 is covered in detail below. For our report on the 2024 survey, see Franchising Health Check
Hospo franchisee's no jab jobs ad withdrawn 30th November 2021
1 December 2021 - A hospitality franchisee who invited unvaccinated workers to apply for bar and restaurant roles on a "No Jab Jobs" website has had the ad removed. Lone Star New Lynn posted the advertisement on the site four days ago with a note saying the business "will not be discriminating either whilst employing or serving our guests." The job ad appears to contravene the vaccine mandate for close contact workers in the hospitality industry.
Paul Steiner, operations manager for the Lone Star franchise, told the New Zealand Herald, "All franchisees are required by the terms of their franchise arrangements to comply with all relevant laws, legislation, and government requirements, including health requirements."
The mandatory vaccination requirements have generally been welcomed by franchisors, although there have been concerns about the challenges that enforcing the vaccine pass will present to franchisees.
See here for guidelines for the food and drink industry under the traffic light system.
Traffic Light system - guidance for businesses 25th November 2021
26 November 2021 - Guidance for businesses on the general rules for operating under the COVID-19 Protection Framework (also known as the traffic light system) is now live on www.business.govt.nz. This explains what the system means for businesses, with detailed guidance for certain categories at the various levels. Click on each category for a direct link to the relevant information:
Accommodation services;
Close contact services (eg. hairdressers and beauty salons);
Entertainment, recreation and exercise (eg. gyms);
Events (including private events);
Food and drink services (eg. bars, cafes, restaurants, takeaways);
Manufacturing, supply or processing of goods and packaging;
Primary industries;
Public facilities;
Retail;
Services (eg. home cleaning);
Transport, freight and logistics.
The COVID-19 Protection Framework will start operating from 11.59pm on 2 December 2021. Until then, businesses should continue to follow the Alert Level rules.
Hair franchisees ready to reopen 22nd November 2021
23 November 2021 - Just Cuts franchisees are prepared for re-opening thanks to proven app from the franchisor
Tauranga event for franchisees, franchisors 14th November 2021
November 2021 - The Franchise Association is holding a Bay of Plenty event in Tauranga on Thursday 25 November to help Bay of Plenty franchisors and franchisees learn what’s happening in the wider world of franchising. There's also a panel session on what generates value in a franchise, and how are recent disruptions affecting the dynamics of buying a franchise?
Both members and non-members of FANZ are welcome at this no-charge event. See more details.
Christmas cups are back for KidsCan 12th November 2021
November 2021 – Continuing an annual tradition, KidsCan and The Coffee Club have announced the young winners of their Christmas Cup Artwork Competition
Sad loss of leading franchisor 8th November 2021
8 November 2021 – New Zealand franchising has lost one of its most highly-regarded leaders with the sudden death of Campbell McMahon, CEO of Super Liquor
Auckland exodus to boost regional business 6th November 2021
7 November 2021 – Nearly half of all Aucklanders are considering leaving the city, a survey has found
New rules on rent relief – 5 key aspects for franchisees 2nd November 2021
3 November 2021 – A new Bill has seen commercial lease abatements implied into leases as a way of requiring landlords and tenants to agree fair rent relief during periods affected by Alert level restrictions. Paul Turner of Goodwin Turner Commercial Lawyers outlines the changes and comments on 5 key aspects and what they could mean for affected franchisees
Australian Franchise Awards winners 2021 1st November 2021
2 November 2021 – Australia names top franchisors, franchisees in 2021 Awards
Franchisors comment on mandatory vaccination 29th October 2021
29 October 2021 – The recent announcement of mandatory vaccination requirements for certain sectors, including hospitality, hairdressers and gyms, presents new challenges for franchisors and franchisees. How will they cope?
Rapid antigen tests now being trialled by New Zealand businesses 28th October 2021
28 October 2021 – Businesses are self-funding new, faster Covid tests
Rent relief support measures refined 27th October 2021
28 October 2021 – Changes in the way rent relief measures will be applied should provide additional clarity and options for tenants and landlords affected by Alert Level restrictions
Survey of Franchising happening now – can you help? 19th October 2021
20 October 2021 – The first Survey of Franchising since 2017 is happening right now, with franchisors across the country being asked to help create a complete picture of the sector
Burger economics - how McDonald's prices vary globally 18th October 2021
Where does a Big Mac cost $30? A new study shows how McDonald's prices vary around the world
Increased job dissatisfaction levels point to change 14th October 2021
14 October 2021 – New research from AUT confirms international trends that many people across a range of different roles are considering changing their job. Will buying a business appeal?
Commercial landlords to face compulsory arbitration 28th September 2021
Landlords may be forced into arbitration if they cannot agree to cut rents to tenants affected by Covid restrictions, under surprise changes announced - and to come into force - today.
Justice Minister Kris Faafoi announced that as part of the Covid-19 Response Legislation Bill introduced to Parliament, measures were being taken "to help businesses resolve disputes over commercial rent"
Exploiting liquor store owners lose licences and franchise 27th September 2021
27 September 2021 - Franchisors praised for taking a stand as former franchisee loses liquor licence after worker exploitation
Brand aid – lockdown solution for franchisees 23rd September 2021
24 September 2021 - When one franchise had too much work and the other had too little, two well-known franchise brands worked together
Open for business - safely 20th September 2021
20 September 2021 - As Aucklanders wait to hear if the region might go down to Level 3 soon, CIS Group has created a special deal for franchises on its contactless, foot-operated sanitation stations
Keeping your franchise network positive and resilient 16th September 2021
16 September 2021 - Valuable insights and tips from Greg Nathan, Founder of the Franchise Relationships Institute, based upon his recent presentation to Franchise Association of New Zealand members via Zoom
Finalists announced for Franchise Awards 13th September 2021
14 September 2021 – Many of New Zealand’s top franchise brands are among the finalists in the Westpac New Zealand Franchise Awards
How are franchisees coping? 2nd September 2021
How have franchisees responded to the latest Level 4 and Level 3 restrictions? Estelle Logan of V.I.P. Home Services checked in to find out
Calls for rental support ignored by Government 1st September 2021
2 September 2021 – The Franchise Association is among the organisations supporting an Opposition plan to support small businesses facing rental demands from unsympathetic landlords
Practical help with getting tax relief 30th August 2021
30 August 2021 – Philip Morrison of Franchise Accountants offers some practical guidance on how to help franchisees secure relief from IRD to spread out their tax burden and help with business resilience
Business Travel Register now open 29th August 2021
29 August 2021 - Businesses with workers needing to cross the Alert Level boundary between Auckland/Northland and other regions can now apply for Business Travel Documents if they meet the criteria for permitted travel
UPDATED - Covid 19 support - useful links 20th August 2021
Updated 10 September 2021 – With lockdown here again, here are some helpful resources for franchisors and franchisees from our friends at Franchise Accountants
How being a franchisee helps in lockdown 17th August 2021
How does being part of a franchise help when the unthinkable happens and the whole country goes into lockdown? Here are some lessons from 2020.
Free workplace advice for FANZ members 17th August 2021
14 July 2021 – Strategic partnership to deliver free workplace advice to FANZ members
Rapid escalation for NZ economy - Westpac 16th August 2021
17 August 2021 – The latest Economic Overview from Westpac suggests that, while the New Zealand economy has been charging ahead and built up a head of steam, it faces some growing pains and Covid-related uncertainties for a bit longer
Retail spend up in July 16th August 2021
17 August 2021 - New figures show that retail spending in New Zealand reached $5.2 billion in July 2021 – up 1.6 percent on the previous month, and up 3.8 percent over July 2020, although some categories fared better than others
Building big business 10th August 2021
Green Acres and Hire-A-Hubby launch game changer for managers and entrepreneurs
Buying a mobile franchise 3rd August 2021
Thinking of buying a mobile franchise or a man-in-a-van business? Here are some questions to ask
Prospa lends full allocation to support Kiwi small businesses 2nd August 2021
2 August 2021 – Prospa has exceeded expectations by lending its total government allocation under the Business Finance Guarantee Scheme to SMEs across New Zealand
Smith&Smith buys the Exceed franchise 2nd August 2021
2 August 2021 - Vehicle glass repair and replacement company Smith&Smith has acquired Exceed, the nationwide window and door hardware repair franchise.
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