What’s Next for Franchising in Australia? A 2025 Mid-Year Outlook
We’re halfway through 2025, which makes it a good time to take a step back and look at where franchising is heading. What’s shifting in the market? Where are the opportunities? And how can franchisors set themselves up for long-term success?
This mid-year snapshot breaks down the key trends shaping franchising in Australia and overseas, and what they could mean for your next move.
At DC Strategy, we work with businesses at every stage of franchising, from first-time founders to established brands. What sets us apart is our end-to-end model that combines strategy, legal, recruitment, and marketing.
Here’s what we’re seeing across the market and what to keep in mind as you plan your next move.
Global Trends, Local Blueprint
One of the best ways to understand where franchising is heading in Australia is to monitor what’s happening overseas, particularly in the US. As a highly developed franchise economy, it offers a valuable glimpse into our future.
In 2025, forecasts predict franchise establishments will grow by more than 2.5%, adding over 210,000 new jobs and generating an economic output set to top $936 billion.
This is a powerful indicator of confidence. It tells us that as a business model, franchising is being backed by investors, entrepreneurs, and consumers alike. And that gives us a clear message to build on in Australia.
What this Means for Australia
While Australia is a unique market, we are not isolated from these global currents. Here’s how we’re seeing these international trends translate into local opportunities:
Investor Confidence on the Rise: Strong international performance validates franchising as a resilient and intelligent way to scale a business, reassuring our local market and encouraging investment.
Innovation is Accelerating: We no longer need to reinvent the wheel. Instead, we can strategically adopt and localise the technologies and systems proven overseas, allowing for smarter, faster, and less risky innovation.
A New Level of Operator Sophistication: The growth of multi-unit and multi-brand ownership overseas signals the maturation of our own market, opening the door for sophisticated investors to build valuable portfolios.
What’s Driving Growth Locally
Through our work with leading franchise brands across the country, we see a few standout trends are driving the market forward.
1. Technology with a Purpose
The Australian consumer is digitally fluent and expects a seamless experience. The franchises thriving today are using technology with clear intent: AI for smarter rostering and inventory control, advanced CRM systems that personalise the customer journey, and e-commerce platforms that integrate flawlessly with in-store operations. The focus is on efficient, effective tech.
2. The Rise of the Values-Driven Consumer
People are increasingly making choices based on more than just price. Health, sustainability, and personal values are powerful drivers of consumer behaviour. From clean food and fitness concepts to businesses with transparent supply chains, brands that align with how people want to live and what they believe in are building deep, lasting loyalty.
3. Sustainability as a Core Identity
In Australia, sustainability is becoming a core part of brand identity. Franchises that genuinely reduce waste, source locally, and care about their footprint are winning trust and loyalty, not to mention attracting great franchisees and team members.
High-Growth Sectors to Watch
If you’re thinking about where to invest or expand, here are four areas that are emerging with potential:
Health, Wellness & Beauty
Consumers are pouring more into feeling good: mentally, physically, and emotionally. From boutique gyms and mental health services to specialist skin treatments, demand is climbing.
Senior & In-Home Care
With an ageing population, essential services that support seniors at home are growing rapidly. It’s a sector that combines community impact with strong commercial potential.
Home & Family Services
As modern households become busier, services that simplify life, such as tutoring, pet care, and reliable home maintenance, are gaining significant ground.
Repair and Reuse
More Australians are looking for sustainable choices. Businesses that help people repair, reuse, or recycle are striking a chord with value-driven consumers.
Where to From Here?
The Australian franchising market is shifting. What we’re seeing now is strategic growth. Smarter systems. Better franchisees. And a focus on building enterprise value that lasts.
The best-performing franchise networks we work with have a few things in common:
They’re built on a solid foundation
They’ve invested in systems that scale
They put their franchisees and their customers at the centre of the model.
Are You Ready?
Download our free Franchise Readiness Checklist. It’s a simple yet effective tool to help you assess your preparedness and set the stage for success.
For over 40 years, DC Strategy has helped brands navigate these shifts. From startups making their first move, to established brands ready to scale nationally, we’ve seen what works, and what doesn’t.
Franchising takes planning, strong systems, and the right people behind you. But when it’s done well, it can be one of the most powerful ways to grow a business that lasts.
If franchising is on your mind or you're ready to explore what it could look like for your business, let’s talk. We’re here to help you take the next step.
About James Young
James Young is the Managing Director of DC Strategy Group and a Certified Franchise Executive (CFE).
He leads the firm’s consulting, sales, and franchise development work, helping brands expand through end-to-end strategy, legal, recruitment, and marketing services
As a Certified Franchise Executive, James brings both expertise and a deep commitment to sustainable, values-led franchising. He sits on multiple advisory boards and is a trusted voice in the industry, regularly sharing insights on recruitment, strategic expansion, and long-term franchise success.
DC Strategy is Australasia’s leading end-to-end franchise consultancy, offering integrated legal, strategic, recruitment, and marketing services to help brands scale with confidence.