Jim’s Group chief marketing officer Joel Kleber has tipped the list of 30 top franchise professionals for 2026, taking out the number one spot in this year’s Top 30 Franchise Executives report.
Kleber is the first executive to be twice named number one, scoring first place in the rankings in 2024.
Joining Kleber in the top five list, Anytime Fitness CEO Simon Thompson, who took out the second spot; in third place, Peter Fiasco, CEO at Hip Pocket Workwear & Safety. Two high-performing executives from Schnitz were ranked in fourth and fifth place: CEO Kerri Wane, and head of finance, Ari Nalbandian.
Franchisee profitability crucial to this year’s top executives
A common thread in the submissions from across C-suite roles, founders, marketing, finance, operations, business development, and training, was a focus on franchisee profitability.
This year’s top five also revealed the impact of clear strategies well-executed, and the power of technology to support growth, innovation and performance.
Joel Kleber doubled-down on a tech-driven strategy at Jim’s, and showed that transparency and communication can deliver brand success, and boost franchisor and franchisee business, learnings he has shared with the broader franchising community.
For Simon Thompson, leading Anytime Fitness through a significant organisational restructure was about better outcomes and profitability for franchisees, and providing the network’s top performers with tailored, high-impact support.
As the first CEO for the Hip Pocket national network, Peter Fiasco saw a rise in business performance last year. Initiatives included better strategy-to-execution discipline, a marketing overhaul, and restructured supplier engagement.
Also new to her role at Schnitz, Kerri Wane kicked off with a five-year strategy reset, shifting priorities and culture, replacing the focus on short-term shareholder gains with long-term ROI and sustainable growth.
Her colleague, head of finance Ari Nalbandian, led system improvements, building financial capability to help franchisees better understand their performance and unlock long-term success.
Judges looked for leadership and commercial impact
Seven judges drawn from across the franchise sector evaluated the submissions on the commercial contributions, innovation, leadership and contribution to franchisee outcomes and performance:
- Arthur McColl, consultant and ex-CEO of Anytime Fitness, and Frontline Recruitment and Express Employment Professionals
- Nicholas Woodford, principal of Woodford Strategy & Advisory, formerly the country manager of Pack & Send
- Helen Alfa, the Franchise Council of Australia’s head of memberships and partnerships
- Peter White, general manager at FranData Australia
- Peter Knight, a leading franchise accountant and the founder of the Australian Franchise Alliance
- Vanessa Wilmot, managing director at Geotech Information Services
- Sarah Stowe, editor of Franchise Executives and Franchise Business.
Top 30 Franchise Executives 2026 report launched
The executives who ranked in the top 30 celebrated with colleagues and industry peers as this year’s report was launched in Sydney on Friday 29 May.
The event was sponsored by Geotech Information Services, Gorilla Dash Solutions, Fusion Signage and Susana Hands.
The Top 30 Franchise Executives 2026 report is available for free download.
