The Brisbane Franchising Expo returned to Brisbane for the first time since 2022, this time introducing an expanded format with the Start Your Own Business Expo.
Timothy Collett, director of exhibition organiser Specialised Events, said “It has been a fabulous weekend here in Brisbane, with a good range of exhibitors and a record number of visitors through the door. We have worked hard to make sure everyone knew about the show and the reasons for coming. This included the launch of the Start Your Own Business Expo and extra seminars.
“But the bigger picture is the pace of development and number of families moving to SE Queensland. There is a huge amount of positive energy up here and that includes a lot of people who want to work for themselves. Our plan is to run the show every year between now and the Olympics,” Collett said.
Big brand names exhibiting included Craveable Brands, Foodco, Gong Cha, InXpress, Kumon, Mail Boxes Etc, Plus Fitness, Signarama and World Options.
Craveable Brands was showcasing its four brands, Oporto, Red Rooster, Chargrill Charlie’s and Chicken Treat. Franchise manager Leisha Fontana said the show had been worthwhile.
“We’ve been pleasantly surprised, it’s been much better than we expected. We sold three stores at the Sydney show and we’ve got two or three stores to sell here. We got over 60 leads for the two days,” Fontana told Franchise Executives.
Exhibitors were pleased with the quality of visitors
First time exhibitors included Ready Steady Go Kids, which exhibited on the Business Essentials stand. Franchisor Danie O’Connor said “It’s been really good, some genuine enquiries, so I think I will be back again.”
Miso Hungry Sushi & Bowls, Piccolo Me Cafe, Miguelitos Ice Cream and Little Red Dumpling were among brands sampling their products.
Harry Proskefalas, strategy, operations and franchise development consultant for Miso Hungry, said the show had been “fantastic”.
“We’ve had good quality leads; good business-minded people seeing what’s available in the market and coming back to talk to brands that catch their eye. So we’re some getting second or third layer questions which are deeper than superficial enquiries,” Proskefalas said. “It’s been very positive, and we have more confidence in the potential conversion rate.”
The Queensland Minister for Small and Family Business, Steve Minnikin MP, opened the dual expo event on Saturday 26 July.
Kristina Karlsson, founder of retail business Kikki.K was the headline speaker at the Start Your Own Business seminar series, sharing her story of brand-building to an audience keen to hear about the challenges and success of starting a business.
The new combo of franchising and start your own small business exhibitors and seminars launched at the Sydney expo in May; the next event is in Melbourne on 30 and 31 August 2025.
