8:30am

Registrations Open

9:00am – 9:10am

Opening Remarks

9:10am – 10:00am

Franchising in a High‑Pressure Economy: Data‑Driven Risks, Resilience Strategies, and Growth Opportunities

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 an ANZ Senior Economist 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.

10:00am – 10:45am

How Leading Brands View the Economy, Market Dynamics, and Strategic Risk.

Senior franchise leaders will examine the current economic environment, emerging market conditions, and the strategic risks and opportunities shaping the sector.

Grounded in operational and commercial experience, the discussion will explore shifts in consumer behaviour, responses to inflation and cost pressures, and the broader economic factors influencing business investment and network performance. The session will also address how established brands are adjusting their models and decision-making frameworks in response to ongoing market change

12:00pm – 12:45pm

AI and Franchising: Hype, Reality, and What Comes Next

Artificial intelligence is reshaping how franchise systems operate, market, and scale — but separating genuine opportunity from noise is harder than the headlines suggest.

This panel brings together practitioners at the coalface of AI adoption in franchising, exploring where the technology is already delivering real results, where it’s falling short of expectations, and what the next wave of capability means for franchisors and franchisees alike.

From automating operations and enhancing customer experience to supporting franchisee performance and streamlining compliance, the conversation will be honest, grounded, and forward-looking — cutting through the hype to focus on what actually works in a franchise context.

1:45pm – 2:30pm

Change Management and leading through tough times

In a competitive marketplace, an outstanding brand and a vibrant culture are critical for creating distinction, building customer loyalty, and achieving sustainable growth. This session will explore the dynamic relationship between brand identity and company culture and how they can be leveraged to make a lasting impact on customers and employees alike.

Norton Rose Partner Stephen Giles will provide unique and invaluable insights into the management of high growth businesses that operate in a competitive market. Navigating change requires vision and leadership, strategy, effective communication and franchisee support. New ideas are not always enthusiastically endorsed. Learn from those with front-line experience. This session is ideal for leaders looking to enhance their brand’s presence, strengthen internal culture, and set themselves apart in a crowded market.

2:30pm – 3:15pm

Industry Spotlights

Step into table based Industry Spotlight discussions that offers franchise executives the opportunity to engage in focused, small-group discussions on the strategic and operational challenges shaping the future of their specific industry. Each table discussions will be led by an experienced industry facilitator.

Designed for candid, peer-to-peer dialogue in an informal environment, this session encourages leaders to exchange ideas, share experiences, and walk away with fresh insights to strengthen their brands and leadership impact.

3:15pm – 4:00pm

Building a High‑Performance Franchise Network: Culture, Speed, and Relentless Operational Discipline

The difference between a good franchise network and a great one isn’t the product — it’s the people, the pace, and the processes that hold everything together under pressure.

This cuts to the heart of what separates high-performing franchise systems from the rest: a culture that franchisees actually want to belong to, the ability to move fast without sacrificing consistency, and an operational discipline that becomes second nature across every location, every market, every day.

Drawing on real-world experience scaling franchise networks, this explores how to build the kind of culture that attracts and retains the right franchisees, the systems and mindset needed to accelerate growth without losing quality, and the non-negotiables of operational excellence that protect brand integrity from unit one to unit one hundred — and beyond.