The Quest Apartment Hotels chain took out three awards, including Franchisor of the Year, in the second annual Franchise Industry Awards, held at a black tie gala night attended by more than 600 guests from across the franchise sector.
Awarded as the Franchisor of the Year (51+ units), Quest went on to win the Excellence in Equality, Sustainability and Governance – the brand’s second consecutive win in that category.
Quest was then named the overall Franchisor of the Year 2026.
The hotel chain scored wins in three out of five nominations; Adam and Allison French (owners of Quest Ipswich, Quest Springfield Central and Quest Woolooware Bay) were finalists for Franchise of the Year – Multi-unit Hospitality, and Brad Sammut a finalist for Franchise Field Manager of the Year.
David Mansfield, managing director, The Ascott Limited, Australasia, said “Being named Franchisor of the Year tells us the model is working at every level – for guests, for our franchise partners and for the communities they operate in.
“This isn’t down to one property or one good year. It reflects the consistency of our network of franchise partners backing the Quest model with their own hard work and investment, day in and day,” Mansfield said.
Poolwerx is a double winner
Poolwerx was another multiple award winner, taking home two major accolades: Excellence in Franchise Innovation, for its Healthy Pool Plan, and Marketing Manager of the Year, awarded to global chief marketing officer, Nicola Votier.
Nic Brill, global CEO of Poolwerx, said “We’re incredibly proud to see Nicola recognised with this award. Nicola has been instrumental in elevating the Poolwerx brand while ensuring our marketing efforts deliver meaningful results for franchise partners. From driving record campaign performance to supporting innovation across the network, her leadership has had a measurable impact on our business.”
Brill said the brand’s focus remains franchisee success and profitability.
“By investing in innovation that improves both client experience and franchise partner efficiency, we’re driving stronger outcomes across the network. This recognition from the FCA reflects the power of collaboration, innovation and a commitment to excellence,” he said.
Individual recognition
Dominic Hole was named Franchisee of the Year, 13 years after he and his wife Lucy opened the first of three Zambrero restaurants in Western Australia.
Hole said “It is an absolute honour to be named Australia’s top franchisee in the highly-competitive multi-unit award. I am so very proud to have the business Lucy and I have built together recognised like this and to have the commitment, enthusiasm and passion of my incredible team acknowledged as well. This is definitely a team effort.”
Zambrero CEO Daryl McCormack said the award was richly deserved.
“This is a fantastic achievement and Dom and Lucy deserve every bit of it,” McCormack said. “To be recognised as Australia’s best multi-unit franchisee and Australia’s best hospitality multi-unit franchisee from a highly-competitive national field is a massive honour and a testament to the business they have built together in WA.’’
Three women were celebrated for their contributions to the franchise sector. Vanessa Wilmot, who heads up Geotech Information Services, was awarded Outstanding Contribution by an Individual to Franchising.
And this year there was a tie for the Franchise Woman of the Year award. Elaine Jobson, CEO, BeWell Brands, and Emily Lucas, special counsel, HWLE Lawyers, shared the honour.
Major awards
- Franchisor of the Year: Quest Apartment Hotels.
- Australian International Franchisor of the Year Award: Plus Fitness.
- Franchisee of the Year, Multi-Unit: Dominic Hole, Zambrero Geraldton, Palmyra and Innaloo.
- Franchisee of the Year, Single Unit: George Blackie and Sarah Ryan, Nurse Next Door Home Care Services Mackay.
Franchisor awards
- Franchisor of the Year, 51+ Units: Quest Apartment Hotels.
- Franchisor of the Year, 26 – 50 Units: X-Golf Group.
- Franchisor of the Year, 25 Units and Under: LeWrap Australia.
Franchisee awards
- Franchisee of the Year, Multi Unit – Services: DJ Bose, MBE, Australia West End and Bulimba.
- Franchisee of the Year, Multi Unit – Retail: Amanda Shield, Golden Casket Lottery, The Lott Bundaberg, Bargara and Townsville.
- Franchisee of the Year, Multi Unit – Hospitality: Dominic Hole from Zambrero Geraldton, Palmyra and Innaloo.
- Franchisee of the Year, Multi-Unit – Health & Wellbeing: Christian Burgess, @pilates 24/7, Yeppoon, Gladstone and Emerald.
- Franchisee of the Year, Single Unit – Services: George Blackie and Sarah Ryan, Nurse Next Door Home Care Services Mackay.
- Franchisee of the Year: Single Unit – Retail: Michael Li, Nextra Newsagencies Post Office Square, Brisbane.
- Franchisee of the Year: Single Unit – Hospitality: Vic and Anne Terpkos, Shingle Inn Cafes Joondalup.
- Franchisee of the Year: Single Unit – Health and Wellbeing: Kim Rimmer, Fernwood Fitness, Woonona.
- Franchisee Local Area Marketing Campaign of the Year: Belinda Clenton, Hydraulink Australia, Parkes.
Individual awards
- Outstanding Contribution by an Individual to Franchising: Vanessa Wilmot, Geotech Information Services.
- Franchise Woman of the Year: Elaine Jobson, Jetts Fitness and Emily Lucas, HWL Ebsworth.
- Franchise Finance Manager of the Year: Oriana Mendoza, Guzman y Gomez Mexican Kitchen.
- Franchise Manager of the Year: Wayne Abbott, Hydraulink Australia.
- Franchise Field Manager of the Year: Amanda Bracks, Fernwood Fitness.
Services and supplier awards
- Franchise Service Provider of the Year: Franchise Ready.
- Franchise Supplier of the Year Award: Tanda.
