FUELLING FRANCHISING FORWARD

The 2025 National Franchise Conference was bursting with fresh ideas, international trends in franchising, shared experiences and solid advice from all around New Zealand and across the franchise world. Over 200 people attended the August event in Hamilton, which was organised by the Franchise Association of New Zealand (FANZ) and included some surprise entertainments in spectacular settings.

MC Robert Mignault and his alter ego Jeremiah Fillmore returned to guide the convoy of attendees down Opportunity Highway with the support of the sponsors who helped make this event so successful. The opening keynote speaker, Melissa Clark-Reynolds provided some thought-provoking insights into the possible shape of the business world in the near future, along with some useful tips for adaptive growth in the new AI era and a reminder that the best way to future-proof a business against tech disruption is always to focus on what franchising does best – relationships.

Panellists and speakers covered topics ranging from mega-trends and legal lessons in leadership, through scaling up for success and cultivating a growth mindset, leading franchisees through transformation, and the details of franchise support excellence and staying on the right side of MBIE. Interactive round tables and concurrent sessions covered the nitty gritty of franchising from many different perspectives and a wide range of trade exhibitors presented excellent support service options to explore.

“The Conference proved once again to be the must-attend event for the franchising community to learn, get new insights and be inspired,” says FANZ CEO Katrina King. “The 2026 Conference will be held in Wellington from 22-24 June, so mark your diaries now!”

Successful Legal Symposium

The National Franchise Conference in 2025 was preceded by the inaugural Legal Symposium, held at SkyCity Hamilton and well-attended by both legal teams and franchisors. A Commerce Commission presentation flagged changes to New Zealand’s out-of-date consumer laws and encouraged practitioner input, as well as covering the Commission’s stance on Unfair Contract Terms law. A panel of franchise lawyers lead by Khushbu Sundarji then addressed legal solutions to avoid unfair terms in franchise agreements.

A lively International Expansion panel featured legal representatives from franchising jurisdictions in the USA, Canada, Australia and the UAE. The day was rounded out with presentations on emergent law, franchisor succession planning and a convincingly acted mediation role-play. Mediator Trish Blyth also outlined changes to the Disputes Tribunals rules currently passing through Parliament.

Who’s on the Board?

The Franchise Association held its AGM after the Legal Symposium and before the opening event of the Conference that same evening. The Chair’s report outlined several significant undertakings of FANZ’s Regulatory and Advocacy Committee over the past year, with strong MBIE and ministerial engagement resulting in some solid wins for franchising.

Chair Brad Jacobs officially welcomed CEO Katrina King to the national office team and extended special recognition to retired CEO Robyn Pickerill, thanking her for leading FANZ over the past 9 years to become the professional organisation it is today.

Following the annual election, the FANZ Board remains relatively unchanged. Outgoing members Darryl King and Scott Jenyns were farewelled and thanked for their contributions to the Board. The seven-person Board held their first meeting later in August and comprises the following stalwarts of franchising in New Zealand:

• Brad Jacobs (Chair) - The Coffee Club
• Sam Pollock (Vice Chair) - Cookie Time
• Dr Callum Floyd, CFE - Franchize Consultants
• Greg Paget, CFE
• Jason Hill, CFE - Green Acres & Hire A Hubby
• Julie Evans - Rodney Wayne
• Stacey Bree - Pit Stop

Membership brings community and credibility

FANZ members are clearly marked in the Westpac Directory of Franchising at the back of this magazine, and new members, such as the Peak Clean franchise, which joined the organisation this quarter, are welcomed to become part of a community dedicated to ensuring the long-term success, integrity and sustainability of franchising in New Zealand.

FANZ CEO Katrina King outlines the five strategic pillars introduced at the 2025 National Franchise Conference:

• Celebrate outstanding achievements in franchising.
• Communicate the franchise business model as a strong contributor to New Zealand’s economic growth, entrepreneurship, employment and local communities.
• Educate the wider franchise community and provide opportunities for knowledge experience sharing.
• Advocate front and centre in discussions around any business legislation that affects franchising.
• Regulate through the Code of Practice and Ethics and hold members accountable to this and other best practices.

Katrina says, “From upholding industry standards which reinforce credibility and a commitment to best practice, to offering ongoing professional development via regular education sessions and the annual Franchise Conference, FANZ prides itself on being the trusted authority and unified voice of the franchising sector.

“Our online Knowledge Builder learning sessions introduced earlier this year continue to cover a wide range of topics of considerable value to the franchising community. These approximately monthly sessions are free for FANZ members to attend and just $45 + gst for non-members.

“The Franchise Association also champions excellence through the prestigious Westpac New Zealand Franchise Awards which in 2025 will be presented November 1st at the Cordis in Auckland.”  

See this advertorial on page 36 of Franchise New Zealand magazine Year 34 Issue 03

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