The year is nearly over, and in the last 12 months Australian franchising has said welcome and farewell to brands and leaders. Here’s our list of the comings and goings in 2022.
Foodco’s chief executive Serge Infanti moved on to an executive chair role early in the year, bringing in retailer Rich Goodman to lead a newly structured business for Jamaica Blue and Muffin Break. As a neat ending to the year, Infanti was inducted into the Franchise Council of Australia’s Hall of Fame.
Snooze MD Simon Beatty handed over the reins to Damian Donohoe after more than 13 years at the bed retail chain.
Another legacy brand, Kwik Kopy, welcomed Snap Print’s Sonia Shwabsky to the CEO position. Later in the year Sonia brought over her colleague Peter Fiasco to head up franchising.
Snap Printing replaced boss Richard Thame (who returned to the logistics sector) with Pizza Hut chief Glenn Jarrett.
There was a sad and sudden farewell to Rob Garsden, Australian Skin Clinics’ COO, who passed away aged 39.
Shane Bracken took on the role of Subway country director for Australia and New Zealand. Geoff Buckerill moved on from the position after a four year stint.
Another major shift in fast food was the appointment of a new CEO at McDonald’s Australia. McDonald’s Korea boss Antoni Martinez took the top job after previous incumbent Andrew Gregory moved to a global franchising role.
Farewell to some industry stalwarts
In the regulatory world, after more than a decade helming the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, Rod Sims moved on. The new incumbent is competition lawyer Gina Cass-Gottlieb.
And as grocery delivery brands discovered the challenges of the market, Deliveroo also made a hasty exit from our shores.
Early in 2023 we will farewell two well-known industry figures. The Cheesecake Shop’s Ken Rosebery is officially retiring after 13 years with the dessert business but unlikely to put his feet up (odds are we see him around soon). He hands over the reins to ex-Domino’s UK and Ireland’s operations boss Scott Bush.
Mary Aldred is moving on from her CEO role at the FCA after more than four years. She takes up an advocacy role with Fujitsu. Aldred steered the franchise sector through substantial regulatory changes, including this year’s launch of the Franchise Disclosure Registry.
Brands we welcomed
US burger favourite and global brand Wendy’s announced it is on the hunt for an Australian master franchisee. So too is the US sweet treat brand Duck Donuts, which is ready to take on the market Downunder. Also from America, Planet Smoothie unveiled its first two stores over here.
Hell Pizza promised to bring its unique take on gourmet pizzas with the first of a string of Aussie outlets to open. The New Zealand business has a network of 74 restaurants in its home market.
Another overseas brand, UK-based pre-school soccer business BabyBallers opened its first Australian franchise in Geelong.
A homegrown chicken business launched its first franchise. Wings and Tins unveiled a Newcastle location.
Cosmetic Avenue is also primed for expansion, announcing in December it is ready to franchise its non-surgical treatments clinic.
And Flave too will use franchising to grow its footprint across Australia, and further afield.
Franchising in 2022 saw Aussie brands going places
Several fitness brands saw the UK as the next big opportunity, including Strong Pilates, BFT, UBX and Studio Pilates.
Canada called to Laser Clinics which opened its first franchise in Greater Toronto. Much further south, Gelatissimo unveiled its first US outlet, in Houston, Texas.
Bao Brothers is looking to the Middle East to extend its Asican food concept. And The Coffee Club announced it will launch the first of 100 outlets in India next year.
Watch this space for more appointments and brand news in 2023…
