Thriving as a Franchisee in 2025: What You Need to Succeed Down Under

Franchising Success - It's All About The People!

Thriving as a Franchisee in 2025: What You Need to Succeed Down Under

When it comes to building a successful franchise, there’s no denying it – it’s all about the people. Choosing the right franchisees can make or break a franchise system, and if you want to thrive as a franchisee in Australia, you need to know what qualities will set you up for success.

In 2025, franchisors and consultants are pulling out all the stops to find the perfect franchisees. Some even offer dedicated services to help potential franchisees navigate and evaluate different opportunities. But before you dive in, let’s explore what you need to know to make sure franchising is the right fit for you.

Do You Get What Franchising is All About?

Franchising in Australia isn’t about striking out on your own and reinventing the wheel. It’s about following a proven system that’s already been established by the franchisor. Think of it as a “benevolent dictatorship” – the franchisor sets the rules, and you follow them. If you’re someone who thrives on independence and doing things your way, franchising might not be the right fit. But if you’re someone who can stick to a system and work within a structured environment, you could be a great match.

Franchisees are typically assessed based on their experience, skills, expectations, and attitude. You don’t necessarily need to have a retail background, but being a “people person” is often essential. And if you’re thinking of running a franchise with a partner, both you and your spouse or co-owner will need to be on the same page, especially when it comes to relocating.

The Financial Reality Check: What’s Your Cash Flow?

Let’s talk money. In 2025, financial stability is one of the most critical factors when choosing franchisees. Your financial situation will be closely examined, and it’s not just about how much you’re willing to invest – it’s also about ensuring you have enough funds to keep the business running smoothly, especially in the early days.

Don’t get caught up in unrealistic profit expectations. The first year in a new franchise is usually about breaking even rather than hitting it big. Going into the franchise world with clear financial expectations is essential. While franchising offers a lower risk compared to starting your own business from scratch, it’s still a journey that requires patience and planning.

Finding the Right Franchisor: It’s All About Culture

Once you’ve passed the financial screening, the next step is to find a franchisor that matches your personality and goals. The relationship between a franchisee and franchisor is vital to your success, so it’s crucial to make sure the franchisor’s culture aligns with your values.

This is where doing your research pays off. Take the time to get to know the franchisor’s style, ethos, and expectations. And don't forget to chat with current franchisees – they’re the ones who can give you a real picture of what it’s like to be part of the network. Their experiences (the good, the bad, and everything in between) will help you make a more informed decision.

Don’t Skip Talking to ALL Franchisees

This is a key step that many potential franchisees overlook: don’t just talk to a couple of franchisees – speak with as many existing franchisees as possible. If a franchisor is hesitant or unwilling to provide a full list of their franchisees, that’s a red flag.

Transparency is essential in any business relationship, especially in franchising. You need to hear from a range of franchisees to get a full picture of the network’s performance, support, and overall satisfaction. If the franchisor won’t share this information, it could indicate issues with trust or transparency.

Get the Full Picture with the Disclosure Document

Here’s something you can’t skip: the disclosure document. Every franchisor is required to provide this document, which lays out all the important details about the franchise, the costs, and what you can expect. Don’t rush through it – take the time to read and understand the information. It’s one of the best ways to ensure you’re making the right choice and setting yourself up for success.

Franchising in 2025 – More Opportunities, Fewer Risks

With so many franchisors offering incentives and guarantees in 2025, the opportunities for potential franchisees are looking better than ever. But don’t rush into anything. Take the time to research, ask questions, and get a feel for what the business is really like. The more you prepare now, the more successful your franchising journey will be down the track.

As the old saying goes, “Marry in haste, repent at leisure.” Don’t jump into a franchise without doing your homework. Be thorough, ask the right questions, and you’ll be well on your way to building a successful franchise business.

Here’s to your success in 2025 and beyond!

Bio - Barry Money, Founder - Bane Enterprises

For the first ten years of Barry’s career, he consulted in global franchise standards and led significant transformation and innovation projects.

Barry has diverse corporate experience across multiple disciplines including sales, marketing, customer service, product management, export, quality assurance, engineering, IT and supply chain with full accountability for P&L

At the end of Barry’s corporate career, where he earned the nickname “Goliath Slayer,” Barry transitioned to the C-Suite. Barry Money is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a C-Suite professional, with an MBA in entrepreneurship.

Barry has held director, board member, CEO and and leadership positions in start-ups, NFPs, Founder-operated entities, industry peak bodies and commercial organisations. 

He held a leadership role at Australia’s largest franchise group, where he was instrumental in driving disruption and growth.

Barry has worked in franchised industries, franchise consulting companies and some of the largest franchised brands globally.

After many years living and working all around the world, he is fluent in Japanese, French, German and conversant with several other languages.

A dynamic, results-driven leader who prides himself on lateral, entrepreneurial thinking and creativity, Barry is renowned for developing and fostering strong teams and a collegiate spirit.

Barry Money now heads up Australia’s ethical, efficient, effective, end-to-end choice for franchising solutions,

Bane Enterprises.

Contact details

E: online@baneenterprises.com