The Franchise Council of Australia has inducted Warren Ballantyne, founder and CEO of the Gutter-Vac business, as the 2025 Hall of Fame inductee.
The Hall of Fame honour recognises Ballantyne for his outstanding contribution to franchising and his role in shaping a trusted, professional model for service-based franchises across Australia.
More than 30 years ago, Ballantyne, who owned a small plumbing business in Bundaberg, saw the potential for a gutter cleaning service. In a move to make the process safer, cleaner and smarter he designed Australia’s first vacuum-based gutter cleaning system and subsequently launched the Gutter-Vac franchise.
Over the years Ballantyne and his wife Anne have built a national franchise network built on a culture of integrity, innovation and local involvement. Today Gutter-Vac operates in more than 80 territories across Australia.
Innovation, integrity and community spirit
FCA Hall of Fame chair Roger Wilson OAM said “Warren’s journey shows what can be achieved with innovation, hard work and heart. His leadership has empowered franchisees to succeed while supporting their local communities which is the true mark of a Hall of Fame inductee.”
Ballantyne’s leadership has empowered franchisees, fostered community connections, and demonstrated how franchising can deliver genuine local and national benefit.
Under his leadership, the network has supported the RSPCA for more than 15 years. It provides complimentary services that protect animal shelters nationwide as well as land regeneration projects.
Accepting the Hall of Fame recognition at a gala event, Ballantyne said “Anne and I are truly humbled by this honour. We started Gutter-Vac with a simple idea and a lot of determination. Like many small businesses, the road wasn’t always easy, but we’ve been blessed with incredible franchisees and a supportive industry.
“I’ve always believed that without franchisees there is no franchisor and without the FCA, franchising in Australia wouldn’t be what it is today,” he said.
In a session about leadership at the National Franchise Convention, the following day, Anne told delegates that trust was at the heart of the business’s success. “We do what we say we will do,” she said.
Richard Thame, chair of the FCA, said the Hall of Fame sets a standard for future leaders.
“Warren joins a distinguished group of pioneers who have left an indelible mark on Australian franchising,” Thame said.
