Nurse Next Door has won the coveted Franchisor of the Year award in the first Franchise Industry Awards, hosted by the Franchise Council of Australia, in Sydney last week.
Quest Apartments and Hotels won the award for Franchisor Excellence in Equality, Sustainability and Governance.
The Franchisee of the Year Multi-Unit award was won by Charles Batt of Mail Boxes Etc and the Franchisee of the Year Single Unit award was taken out by Sally and Steve Kacsics of Muffin Break Toormina.
Caitlin Macumber from Plus Fitness Carrara and Southport was named The Franchise Woman of the Year while Jan Timms of Get Smart Services took out the award for Outstanding Contribution by an Individual to Franchising.
FCA CEO Jay Westbury said “I would like to congratulate the winners in the inaugural Franchise Industry Awards which showcases excellence and innovation in the industry. They are a clear reminder of the strength, diversity, and empowerment that define Australian franchising.
“The FIA are all about elevating the profile of franchising and celebrating the positive impact franchising has every day in communities across Australia and on the economy.”
The FCA sees its new awards program as a key step in promoting the sector as suitable for the co-regulatory model it is pitching to government.
An independent judging panel picked 25 winners from 83 finalists across categories for franchise brands, franchisees, service providers and suppliers.
FIA 2025 winners
Franchisor awards
Franchisor of the Year- 25 units and under: Hey Dee Ho Educational Services
Franchisor of the Year – 26-50 units: InXpress
Franchisor of the Year- 51+ units: Nurse Next Door Home Care Services
Australian International Franchisor of the Year: BFT (Body Fit Training)
Franchisee awards
Franchisee of the Year, Single Unit – Health & Wellbeing: Imogen Parker, Jetts Nowra
Franchisee of the Year, Single Unit – Hospitality: Sally and Steve Kacsics, Muffin Break Toormina
Franchisee of the Year, Single Unit – Services: Andrew and Juanita Lawson, Signarama Salisbury
Franchisee of the Year, Multi Unit – Health & Wellbeing: Michael and Jodie Smairl, Snap Fitness, Casey Health & Fitness Group
Franchisee of the Year, Multi Unit – Hospitality: Li Zhou and Vanessa Wei Wang, Gelatissimo (Bulimba, Ipswich, Orion Springfield, Westfield Mt Gravatt)
Franchisee of the Year, Multi Unit – Services: Charles Batt, Mail Boxes Etc
Franchisee of the Year, Multi Unit – Retail: Malcolm Price, Poolwerx, Upper North Shore
Community and industry awards
Franchise Local Area Marketing Campaign of the Year: Homecaring
Excellence in Franchise Innovation: Schnitz
Franchise Woman of the Year: Caitlin Macumber, Plus Fitness Carra & Southport
Franchisor Excellence in Equality, Sustainability and Governance: Quest Apartment Hotels
People awards
Franchise Field Manager of the year: Catherine Holloway, Foodco Group
Franchise Manager of the Year: Jason Robson, Bakers Delight
Franchise Finance Manager of the Year: Ari Nalbandian, Schnitz
Franchise Marketing Manager of the Year: Megan De Haas, Concept Eight
Supplier & Service Provider awards
Franchisee Service Provider of the Year: Redemont
Franchise Supplier of the Year: Taguchi
Insurance firm Gow-Gates was the Marquee Sponsor. Other sponsors were Access Offshoring, Afterpay, AIBC, ANZ, Beyond Payments, The Content Monarchy, FranConnect, Geotech Information Services, Hitch Advisory, Just Cuts, Master Eventist, MBE, NAB, Nexia Australia, Norton Rose Fulbright, OneMusic, Quest Apartments, Rest Super, Sesimi, Taguchi, Termina, TFM Digital, and The Alternative Board.
