Get the New Zealand Franchising Outlook Survey Report, conducted by Franchize Consultants. This franchising survey report provides a comprehensive outlook on the state of franchising in New Zealand. Drawing insights from 47 franchisors and 12 service providers. Click here to download the full report: Download PDF Here >

The Franchising Outlook Survey highlights both the challenges and opportunities that franchisors anticipate in the year ahead, amidst an evolving economic landscape.

Franchising Outlook Survey Report 2026 Key Findings:

• Stronger business confidence. Franchisor confidence in general business conditions improved further to a net 68%, continuing the rebound from prior years. While economic pressures remain, sentiment indicates a more positive start to 2026.
• Challenges to development. The most pressing challenges continue to centre on recruiting suitable franchisees, economic uncertainty, and access to capital. Increasingly, franchisors are also focusing on strengthening the performance and capability of existing franchisees as a foundation for sustainable growth.
• Opportunities for development. Franchisors see economic stabilisation, improving consumer confidence, and easing lending conditions as potential catalysts for development. At the same time, AI, digital transformation, and operational efficiencies are viewed as key growth accelerators.
• Sector sentiment: More sectors report stabilisation or early recovery than deterioration, although few describe strong momentum. Trades, automotive, and health-related services indicate relative resilience, while retail, hospitality, and some home services remain under pressure. Cost inflation, competition, and capability constraints continue to temper confidence.
• Long-term forces. Economic pressures, digital transformation, marketing evolution, and workforce challenges were identified as the most significant megatrends shaping franchising over the next 5–10 years.

Franchising Outlook Survey for 2026

While economic pressures and cost constraints remain, confidence across the franchising sector has strengthened, and conditions appear to be stabilising. Expectations for 2026 are increasingly positive, supported by improving business sentiment, gradual economic recovery, and continued investment in digital capability and operational discipline.

The adaptability, commercial focus, and innovation demonstrated by New Zealand franchisors position the sector well to convert cautious optimism into sustainable, measured growth in the years ahead.

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