We hope this message finds you, your family, businesses, teams and other stakeholders well as progress towards what we all hope (and many franchisors predict) will be a better economic environment for franchising.
This newsletter gives you a window into the following:
2025 Annual NZ Franchising Outlook Survey Results (presented in February)
IFA25 – International Franchise Association Convention
Diary dates for our 2025 Franchise Executive Training Programmes, for Field Managers and other Franchise Support Office teams members and leaders
We wish you all the very best as we approach the second quarter of 2025.
Callum
2025 Annual NZ Franchising Outlook Survey Results
Our latest New Zealand Franchising Sentiment Survey – January 2025, conducted by Franchize Consultants, provides critical insights into the current and future state of franchising in New Zealand. With input from 42 franchisors and 15 service providers, the survey highlights both challenges and opportunities shaping the sector.
Key findings reveal a surge in business confidence (from 26% in 2024 to 62% in 2025), yet franchisors continue to face challenges such as franchisee recruitment, inflationary pressures, finance constraints, and regulatory hurdles. At the same time, opportunities exist in digital transformation, multi-unit expansion, and economic recovery.
To explore the full survey results and gain insights from industry experts, watch our webinar and download the full report.
IFA25 – International Franchise Association Convention
In February our Managing Director Callum Floyd attended the International Franchise Association (IFA) Convention and World Franchise Council meeting in Las Vegas, USA.
Callum attended the World Franchise Council meeting along with Brad Jacobs (Franchise Association of New Zealand Chair) and Stewart Germann LLB, Notary Public, CFE. That meeting’s sessions were very valuable for the perspective of better franchising generally and internationally.
The International Franchise Association Convention followed, providing a fantastic opportunity to learn, share, and connect within what is a truly dynamic and transformational time to be involved in business and franchising.
The IFA convention itself was great for US and international franchising insights – where one of our key goals was to explore the opportunities and challenges of emerging technologies like AI in franchising. Hearing how different companies are adopting AI – and the creative ways they’re using it – was insightful. Key conference insights included:
AI and Automation in Franchising: The industry is rapidly adopting AI-powered marketing, customer service bots, and operational analytics. From predictive hiring models to AI-driven review management, technology is improving efficiency and helping franchisees scale faster.
Franchisee Profitability is a Priority: As it should be, franchisors are focusing more on unit-level economics, investment returns, and sustainable business models.
Attracting and Retaining Franchisees: Many successful brands are using storytelling and human-centered marketing to attract potential franchisees. AI-driven social media and personalized messaging are playing a bigger role in lead generation and nurturing.
Economic Uncertainty & Adaptation: With rising interest rates and market shifts, successful franchises are focusing on resilience, financial transparency, and strategic growth. Brands that demonstrate predictable returns and strong support systems are standing out.
It was great to be a part of the strong Australia/New Zealand delegation, supported by the Franchise Council of Australia and the Franchise Association of New Zealand and hosted brilliantly by Darryn McAuliffe and Peter White from FRANdata Australia. Their pre-convention seminar on Australian and NZ franchising was a great lead-in to the main event. It was also excellent to meet the new FCA CEO Jayson Westbury, and spend time with many other key franchising players from Australia, and our own NZ Franchising Greg Paget – CFE, Jeremy Yeoman and David Howe – along with Brad and Stewart.
May & June Franchise Management Learning & Development Opportunities
Time to get your team’s learning and development plans populated with great Field Manager specific and/or general Franchise System Management Training?
We have three specific one day (spread over two days) ‘building block’ courses for Field Managers:
Franchise Field Visit Foundations – 21 & 22 May (1-5pm) – online
Franchisee Business Planning – 4 & 5 June (1-5pm) – online
We also have a two full day in-person Managing a Franchise System training programme, ideal for new franchisors and General Managers. This is held in-person in Newmarket, Auckland. The dates for the Managing a Franchise System course are 17 & 18 June. Both days are full days, from 9am to 5pm.
We have an article in the latest edition of Franchise New Zealand magazine talking about franchisors and franchisees navigating challenging waters, battling economic uncertainty and rapid technological change.
In the article we point out as we look to 2025, how can franchisors not just survive but thrive in this evolving landscape?
The following are links to two recent articles we wrote for Franchise New Zealand Magazine. You can also download our booklet on How to use the Franchise Advantage.
Article 1:Responsible Franchising – explaining how franchising responsibly from the outset acts as a foundation to support all elements of Responsible Franchising.
Article 2:It’s Not Easy Being Great – explaining key considerations for franchising in the current environment.
Now is a great time to be considering work on your franchise system. We can help within anything from ad hoc advice through to a comprehensive full franchise system review. In the first instance, just make contact. We’ll be happy to take time to understand your objectives.
We recommend established franchisors conduct a survey of franchisee satisfaction every one to two years. This is valuable for the franchise relationship, network improvement, forward planning, conference preparations and any award entries. Let us know if you would like more information.
We enjoy working regularly with a number of emerging franchising companies to plan, reinvigorate and grow their franchise networks. Feel free to reach out to us if you are interested in how our input, insight and support on a regular, programmed basis could help you grow stronger stakeholder returns and value.
New Zealand Prospective Franchisee Research
Franchize Consultants and Franchise New Zealand Media are proud to share key findings from the 2024 New Zealand Prospective Franchisees Research, conducted by both companies.
The research will be valuable for franchisors and other stakeholders interested in the future of franchising. The research explores the demographics, motivations, preferences, and decision-making processes of potential franchise buyers in New Zealand.
It aims to assist franchisors in understanding their target audience and guiding their recruitment strategies. Based on responses from 161 prospective franchisees, the report offers insights into the appeal and challenges of franchising.
Last week saw the second New Zealand Franchise Lending Summit organised by FRANdata an advisory company specialising in franchising ratings, and Stewart Germann Law (SGL). The summit was an excellent session, and well-attended by banks and other lenders, along with many well-known franchising company leaders.
We were pleased to contribute a section on New Zealand Franchising Sector Research.
Motorcycle News
On the way to the aforementioned IFA Convention in Las Vegas in February I combined my passion for motorcycling and franchising history over a few days, taking in:
McDonald’s #1 site in San Bernardino, California
McDonald’s first drive through location in Sierra Vista, Arizona
McDonald’s UFO-shaped restaurant in Roswell, New Mexico
Twisters restaurant in Albuquerque, New Mexico
The Wigwam Motel location in Holbrook, Arizona.
A couple of miles, and great interfacing with many other franchising, company-owned and small independent brands and units.
Recent Client Feedback
We love working with established franchisors and franchisees to optimise their franchise networks.
“Thanks to Callum and the Franchize Consultants team, we have made enormous strides and are operating at a much stronger level than before. We are incredibly grateful for their partnership and are pleased to recommend them without reservation.”
“I would have no hesitation in recommending Callum to any business looking to expand the effectiveness of their franchise, whether they are just starting out or are a more mature business looking to develop further.”
Contact Franchize Consultants if you’re contemplating franchising a business or would like help with an established franchise network. We’d be very happy to sit down with you to understand your situation and objectives and explain the supporting services we provide. You can also follow us via LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and Google.
All the best from myself and the team at Franchize Consultants.
PS: Never hesitate to call. I’d love to hear from you.
Client Testimonials
We are proud of the work we have undertaken with many leading local, international and emerging franchise companies in New Zealand.
We engaged Callum Floyd and his team on a number of important and impactful projects over many years. Franchize Consultants’ unique mix of real world experience and practical, pragmatic solutions has meant that they continue to be a valued source of independent advice on outsource arrangements, network forms, business models and analysis.
Our journey in franchising started with franchising introductory courses provided by Franchize Consultants. They assisted us in putting together personalised Field Support and Mentoring solutions for our franchise business Pukeko Rental Managers and our unique franchise model. We are now putting all our field managers through their courses.
The JAE Group has worked closely with Franchize Consultants since 2015 on various initiatives. The knowledge and experience Callum, Graham and the team bring, have strengthened our network, tightened up our standards and challenged our thinking and processes. We would definitely recommend the services Franchize Consultants provide.
We worked with Callum and the Franchize Consultants team to develop a comprehensive business planning tool for our franchise network. It was great to work together and combine their deep franchising knowledge with our business specific understanding. Highly recommend.
Super Liquor has worked with Franchize Consultants to assist with the implementation of a number of key initiatives focussed on delivering value to our franchisees. Amongst these were a complete upgrade of our Operating Manuals, and a franchisee financial benchmarking project. The professionalism and expertise of the Franchize Consultants team has been best in class. Callum and the team have absolutely delivered for SLH and will continue to be actively involved in our business supporting our franchise operations.
On every occasion we have found Callum and his Franchize Consultants team, to be exactly what we have needed. They have always been professional, hard-working, and helpful. Delivering exactly what was promised and have been willing to help as much as they possibly could. Streetwise Coffee
New Zealand’s largest and most experienced franchising consultancy providing specialist advice and assistance to prospective and existing franchising and licensing networks. Founded in 1989, Franchize Consultants provides consulting, training, mentoring and research services to leading local and international franchising companies.
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