Australian Franchise Summit

The Australian Franchising Summit is a “can’t miss” event for franchise executives, as the leaders of franchising connect, learn and collaborate on solutions to today’s most critical challenges and opportunities.

This is an invitation-only event to bring together the executives from the leading brands. Attendees will gain insight and inspiration to be more progressive in every facet of their businesses, and with over 300 franchise systems invited to participate in a jam-packed program, it is guaranteed to be a notable event on the Australian business calendar.

PROGRAM – Monday 26 August

9:00am – 9:10am

Opening Remarks

9:10am – 10:05am

Unveiling Opportunities: Economic and Franchising Data Insights for Strategic Growth

In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, staying informed about economic trends and franchising data is essential for making informed strategic decisions and capitalising on emerging opportunities. Join us for an illuminating session that combines economic analysis with franchising insights to equip participants with actionable intelligence for driving growth and success.

Led by a leading senior economist and insightful data from Darrell Johnson and Darryn McAuliffe, this session provides a deep dive into the latest economic data and trends impacting the franchising sector. Participants will gain valuable insights into key economic indicators, market dynamics, and industry benchmarks that can inform their strategic planning and decision-making processes.

Senior Economist, TBC

Darrell Johnson, CEO, FRANdata USA

Darryn McAuliffe, CEO FRANdata Australia

10:05am – 10:50am

Franchising Futures: Exciting Opportunities for 2024, 2025, and Beyond

Embark on a journey of discovery as we explore the exhilarating opportunities that lie ahead within the franchising landscape for 2024, 2025, and beyond. In this visionary session, we’ll delve into emerging trends, innovative concepts, and transformative shifts that promise to reshape the franchising industry in the coming years.

Led by visionary leaders, industry experts, and forward-thinking entrepreneurs, this session invites participants to envision the future of franchising and identify the opportunities that excite them most. From groundbreaking technologies to evolving consumer preferences, we’ll explore the forces driving change and the possibilities they present for franchisees, franchisors, and investors alike.

Angus McKay – CEO, 7-Eleven

Phill Reed – CEO, Pizza Hut

Steven Marks – CEO, Guzman y Gomez

Antony Moore – CCO, The Lottery Corporation

10:50am – 11:35am

Brand is Everything: Crafting Market-Leading Branding and Culture

In today’s fiercely competitive marketplace, a strong brand and vibrant company culture are indispensable assets that can differentiate your business, foster customer loyalty, and drive sustainable growth. Join us for an engaging session that delves into the art and science of building market-leading branding and culture that resonate with customers and employees alike.

Led by branding experts, and culture champions, this session offers a deep dive into the essential elements of crafting a compelling brand identity and nurturing a vibrant organisational culture that sets your business apart from the competition.

Simon Crowe – Founder, Grill’d

Karin Adcock – Owner Winmark Wines. Former President of Pandora Jewelry Australian & NZ

Janine Allis – Founder of Boost Juice

11:35am – 11:50am

MORNING TEA

11:50am – 12:35pm

Why Australian franchising has a credibility problem, and what to do about it!

Franchising is no longer the poster child for Australian business. Stories of the phenomenal growth and success of Australian entrepreneurs have been replaced by stories of inappropriate conduct and franchisee failure. Industry insiders may say that nothing much has changed in substance, but the public narrative is now very different. Potential consequences include further regulatory intervention that has the potential to undermine the competitive advantage of the business model itself. Australian franchising has a credibility problem that is multi-faceted and poorly understood. Join ABC senior investigative journalist Adele Ferguson, McDonalds General Counsel Craig Cawood and franchising law and policy expert Stephen Giles as they discuss the reasons behind the credibility problem and how franchise systems and the franchise sector might respond.

Adele Ferguson – Senior Investigative Journalist

Stephen Giles – Partner, Norton Rose Fulbright Australia

Craig Cawood – Senior Vice President, General Counsel, McDonald Australia

12:35pm – 1:20pm

Shaping the Future: Australian Franchise Industry Policy Forum

Join us for an engaging and insightful Franchise Industry Policy Forum, A facilitated discussion concerning government policy settings, priorities and key regulatory issues and the use of data to influence change.

Led by Alan Wein, a highly successful mediator and commercial lawyer this forum will address critical issues facing the Australian franchise industry and explore policy solutions to drive positive change and promote industry growth.

Alan Wein AM – Lawyer Mediator and Franchise Expert

1:20pm – 2:20pm

LUNCH

2:35pm – 3:05pm

CONCURRENT SESSIONS

Mastering Franchise Excellence: The 5 Best Practices Across Franchising in 2024

As the franchising landscape continues to evolve, staying ahead of the curve requires a keen understanding of the latest trends and best practices shaping the industry. In this enlightening session, delve into the top five best practices driving success in franchising as of 2024.

Drawing on insights from industry leaders, case studies, and real-world examples, this session offers a comprehensive overview of the strategies and tactics that are propelling franchises to new heights of excellence. Whether you’re a seasoned franchise professional or an aspiring franchisor, this session provides invaluable guidance for optimising your franchise operations and maximizing growth potential.

Safeguarding Success: Navigating the 5 Critical Legal Risks for Australian Businesses.

In the complex and ever-changing landscape of Australian business law, understanding and mitigating legal risks is essential for safeguarding the success and longevity of your enterprise. Join us for an insightful session that explores the five critical legal risks facing Australian businesses today.

Led by seasoned legal experts and industry practitioners, this session provides invaluable insights into the key legal challenges confronting businesses across various sectors. From compliance obligations to contractual disputes, participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of the legal landscape and actionable strategies for risk mitigation.

3:15pm – 3:55pm

CONCURRENT SESSIONS

Franchising Insights: Exploring Detailed Data and Trends

Dive deep into the world of franchising with our comprehensive session on detailed data and trends shaping the industry. Designed for franchise professionals, entrepreneurs, investors, and industry enthusiasts, this session provides an in-depth analysis of key data metrics and emerging trends that are driving innovation, growth, and success in the franchising sector.

Led by industry experts, and data scientists, this session offers a data-driven exploration of the latest trends, benchmarks, and performance indicators across various segments of the franchise industry. Participants will gain valuable insights into market dynamics, consumer behaviour, operational benchmarks, and competitive landscapes to inform strategic decision-making and drive business success.

Protecting your brand, business reputation and customer confidence.

The franchising regulator in Australia, the ACCC, is calling for a massive overhaul of regulation in 2024 and business media focus is back on issues in franchising. For franchise systems, it means actively and consistently managing reputation; being vigilant identifying, monitoring and averting reputation risks; and being prepared to respond effectively if the business or brand are attacked by media or regulators.

Putting in place a structured approach to reputation protection will be critical to avert or manage critical attack in 2024, not just on your brand but also criticism of competitors with a similar profile. Recent experience has shown that reputation damage spreads across a market or sector based on belief that all similar businesses operate in the same way. Differentiation is critical.

Sean Dignum, Director SDA Group

4:05pm – 4:50pm

CONCURRENT SESSIONS

Accelerating Growth: Unveiling the Key Drivers for Franchise Network Expansion

Unlock the secrets to driving exponential growth within your franchise network in this dynamic and informative session. Designed for franchise owners, managers, and investors, this session delves into the essential strategies and tactics that fuel the expansion and success of franchise networks.

Led by seasoned franchising experts and industry leaders, this session offers invaluable insights into the key drivers that propel franchise network growth to new heights. From strategic market analysis to innovative franchisee support initiatives, participants will gain actionable knowledge and practical tools to accelerate the growth of their franchise businesses.

Pioneering Franchise System Innovations: Navigating What’s Next in 2025

Innovation lies at the heart of successful franchising, driving growth, competitiveness, and adaptation to evolving market dynamics. Join us for an enlightening session that explores the cutting-edge innovations shaping the future of franchise systems and unveils what’s next on the horizon for 2025 and beyond.

Led by visionary franchise leaders, technology pioneers, and industry disruptors, this session offers a forward-thinking perspective on the transformative innovations poised to revolutionize the franchising landscape. Participants will gain valuable insights into emerging trends, disruptive technologies, and game-changing strategies that will redefine the franchise industry in the years to come.

4:55pm – 6:00pm

Post-Summit Reception – Terrace Rooftop

Please note program is subject to change.

SUMMIT VENUE

ACCOMMODATION

TERMS and CONDITIONS

SPONSORSHIP PROSPECTUS