7:00AM — 3:30PM
Registration Opens, Reception Foyer, NCC Canberra
Jay Westbury — Welcome. All Sunday streams start together in Main Plenary
The Legal Symposium offers franchisors, franchisees and legal professionals the chance to deep-dive into critical legal matters impacting the franchise sector. Topics will include franchise agreements, compliance, dispute resolution, and emerging regulations. Stay ahead of the curve with expert-led discussions and practical advice on managing legal risks within your franchise system.
Scroll up to view the morning program.
Please note that all streams commence with the same opening sessions.
Presented by: Louise Wolf — Principal, MST Lawyers
Concurrent Session 2
Structuring Franchise Operations Under the New Minimum Tax on Trusts
Daniel Smedley, Accredited Specialist in Tax Law | Principal - Sladen Legal
From 1 July 2028, the Government will apply a new 30 per cent minimum tax to income earned through discretionary trusts. Many franchise businesses operate through these trust structures, and the new rules will require franchisees to review how their business is held and whether changes are needed. This session provides a practical briefing on the draft legislation, the options available to affected franchise operators (including electing into a new regime or restructuring with rollover relief), how to set up a new franchise structure that is ready for the new rules from day one, and the steps franchisees should consider taking before the new rules commence.
Concurrent Session 4
Unfair Trading Practices in Franchising
Facilitator: Derek Sutherland, Consulting Principal - Keypoint Law
Presenters: Jay Westbury, CEO, Franchise Council of Australia, Stephen Giles, Partner - Norton Rose Fulbright
Candid conversation around unfair trading practices
Presented by: Louise Wolf — Principal, MST Lawyers
Join fellow marketing professionals at the Franchise Marketers Network (FMN), where you’ll gain actionable insights on the latest trends, digital innovations, and strategic marketing tactics tailored for the franchise industry. This event fosters networking and knowledge sharing, providing you with the tools to elevate your franchise marketing efforts and stay ahead in an increasingly competitive landscape.
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Please note that all streams commence with the same opening session.
Keynote: Chitradevi Veeranathevar - Microsoft
Meta, Algorithms & Digital Disruption
Digital marketing has never changed faster. Meta updates, AI moderation, new advertising rules and changing algorithms mean franchise systems need to adapt almost weekly.
Hear how leading brands are navigating constant disruption while keeping franchisees engaged and marketing effectively.
Concurrent Session 2
Cyber Threats: Risks, Traps & Protecting Customer Data
Fire Side chat: Guy Cosgrove - Redemont, Damian Seaton, Cyber Audit Team
Cyber threats are evolving rapidly, and franchise businesses are increasingly exposed to risks involving customer data, loyalty programs and data breaches.
Join Guy Cosgrove and Damian Seaton for a practical and engaging fireside chat exploring the key risks facing franchise businesses today, common traps to avoid, and practical tips for strengthening your cyber resilience.
The session will cover:
Cyber threat insights and key risk areas, Loyalty programs and the protection of customer data, Data breaches - what can go wrong and how to respond, Managing a Franchisor's suppliers, Common cyber traps and vulnerabilities, Practical tips to improve your cyber security posture
This interactive discussion will break down complex cyber risks into clear, actionable insights that franchise businesses can take back to their teams.
Facilitator: Peter White FRANdata
Panellists: Nikki Richardson - GYG, Nicholas Woodward, Andy Lester - Expr3ss, Robert Cameron - Wet Seal
Finding customers is important.
Finding quality franchisees is business critical.
Discover how leading brands market their franchise opportunity, generate better leads, nurture prospects and recruit multi-site operators in one of the most competitive recruitment markets the industry has seen
Facilitator: Kelli Ponting - Hip Pocket Workwear & Saftety
Panellists: Simon Blangiardo - Straight Out Digital, Joel Kleber, CMO - Jim's Group, Wayne Abbott, National Franchise & Network Manager - Hydraulink Aust Consumers trust people more than brands.
Learn how leading franchise systems are empowering franchisees to become authentic content creators while maintaining brand standards. Discover practical frameworks for creating scalable local content that drives engagement, trust and sales.
The Franchise Operations Network (FON) is designed for Operations teams, multi-unit and single unit franchisees who are looking to optimize operations across locations. This event covers topics like scaling businesses, multi-unit management strategies, operational efficiency, and growth opportunities. Connect with like-minded people and gain practical knowledge to enhance your portfolio’s success and profitability.
Scroll up to view the program.
Please note that all streams commence with the same opening session.
Panel: Vishal Devle, Partner - Cotchy
Too often, franchisees measure success by what's sitting in the bank account. This session will provide practical strategies to help franchises build stronger businesses, improve profitability, secure funding and ultimately create long-term personal wealth.
The financial metrics that drive smarter business decisions.
How quality financial reporting improves profitability and business performance.
Structuring a franchise business for growth and asset protection.
What lenders really look for when assessing finance applications.
Tax strategies that support growth, not just tax savings.
Turning business profits into long-term wealth and preparing for a successful exit.
Concurrent Session 1
Beyond the Numbers: How Commercial finance Creates Value
Facilitator: Ari Nalbandian – Schnitz
Richard Thame- Fortidia, Tom Martin - Concept Eight, Jason Gehrke - Franchise Advisory
Show the evolution of finance from reporting function to commercial decision-maker.
Finance is no longer just about reporting what happened — it’s about helping shape what happens next. This session explores how commercial finance can become a true strategic partner across Operations, Marketing, Development, Supply Chain and Executive Leadership, turning historical data into forward-looking insights and better business decisions. Through practical examples, discover how finance leaders can move beyond reporting the numbers to influencing action, improving forecasting and creating measurable value across the business.
Concurrent Session 2
Cyber Audit session - Guy Cosgrove and Damian Seaton, MD, Cyber Audit Team
Join Guy Cosgrove and Damian Seaton for a practical and engaging fireside chat exploring the key risks facing franchise businesses today, common traps to avoid, and practical tips for strengthening your cyber resilience.
The session will cover:
Cyber threat insights and key risk areas, Loyalty programs and the protection of customer data, Data breaches - what can go wrong and how to respond, Managing a Franchisor's suppliers, Common cyber traps and vulnerabilities, Practical tips to improve your cyber security posture
This interactive discussion will break down complex cyber risks into clear, actionable insights that franchise businesses can take back to their teams.
Concurrent Session 1
Solving Complex Franchise Problems: How High Performing Teams Actually Drive Growth
Facilitator: Tom Martin - Concept Eight
Panelists: Grant Lee - Concept Eight, Therese Frangie - Opporto
Pull the curtain back on how modern franchise systems solve real business problems.
Great franchise systems don't solve problems in silos.
Concurrent Session 2
Structuring Franchise Operations Under the New Minimum Tax on Trusts
Daniel Smedley, Accredited Specialist in Tax Law | Principal - Sladen Legal
From 1 July 2028, the Government will apply a new 30 per cent minimum tax to income earned through discretionary trusts. Many franchise businesses operate through these trust structures, and the new rules will require franchisees to review how their business is held and whether changes are needed. This session provides a practical briefing on the draft legislation, the options available to affected franchise operators (including electing into a new regime or restructuring with rollover relief), how to set up a new franchise structure that is ready for the new rules from day one, and the steps franchisees should consider taking before the new rules commence.
Show people how franchise businesses actually become valuable.
What Makes A Franchise Business Valuable?
What PE Looks For, What Buyers Look For
Common Value Killers: Poor reporting, Building Enterprise Value, Exit Readiness, Lessons From Recent Transactions
Enterprise value isn't created during a sale process. It's created years beforehand.
The Franchise Operations Network (FON) is designed for Operations teams, multi-unit and single unit franchisees who are looking to optimize operations across locations. This event covers topics like scaling businesses, multi-unit management strategies, operational efficiency, and growth opportunities. Connect with like-minded people and gain practical knowledge to enhance your portfolio’s success and profitability.
Scroll up to view the program.
Please note that all streams commence with the same opening session.
Facilitator: Nikki Richardson - GYG
Panellists: Luke Martin - Seal A Fridge, Karen Geloven - Kip McGrath, Nathan Hornby - Plumbing Bros
Profitability isn't about one big change—it's about hundreds of operational decisions made every day.
This practical session explores the controllable drivers that improve unit economics, protect margins and help franchisees succeed in a high-cost environment. Learn how leading brands coach franchisees to focus on the numbers that matter most and build profitable habits throughout the year.
Keynote: Tracey Leake - Tracelle Enterprises Pty Ltd
Field visits remain one of the most valuable tools in franchising - but only if they create meaningful change.
Leading operations teams are moving beyond compliance to coaching, accountability and long-term business improvement. Learn practical techniques to maximise every visit and build momentum between visits.
In this session, Tracey combines theory, learning and workshopping to give a well rounded session relevant to all levels in Operations
Facilitator: Jarrod Montigue, Group General Manager Franchising - Roll'd Panellists: Tracey Steinwand - Hip Pocket Workwear & Safety, Kellie Sheil - MBCM Strata Specialists, Michael Black - Success Tutoring
Every network has struggling franchisees.
What separates great operations teams is how they identify issues early, rebuild confidence and return businesses to profitability.
Hear genuine turnaround stories, what worked, what didn't and the conversations that changed everything.
Leading Through Influence - The Hardest Skill in Franchising
Facilitator: Charlie Duffle - Foodco
Panel: Andrew Benefield - Soul Origin, David Ciantar - FABE, Claire Wilson - The Alternative Board
Unlike traditional managers, Operations Managers don't have authority. They influence.
This session explores how exceptional franchise leaders build trust, create accountability and inspire behavioural change—without ever becoming "the boss."
Concurrent Session 2
Structuring Franchise Operations Under the New Minimum Tax on Trusts
FCA will present subject matter experts with a moment in time briefing.
Daniel Smedley, Accredited Specialist in Tax Law | Principal - Sladen Legal
From 1 July 2028, the Government will apply a new 30 per cent minimum tax to income earned through discretionary trusts. Many franchise businesses operate through these trust structures, and the new rules will require franchisees to review how their business is held and whether changes are needed. This session provides a practical briefing on the draft legislation, the options available to affected franchise operators (including electing into a new regime or restructuring with rollover relief), how to set up a new franchise structure that is ready for the new rules from day one, and the steps franchisees should consider taking before the new rules commence.
Keynote: Adem Hyssoli - Operandio
AI is already changing franchise operations.
Imagine if your Operations Manager arrived at every site visit already knowing:
the biggest risk, likely staff issues, declining KPIs, customer trends, personalised coaching recommendations
See practical demonstrations from brands already embracing AI.
Facilitator: Kevin Bugeja
Panellists:- Larni Mailer - Fernwood Fitness, Jeff Vassell - Geotech, Nicholas Woodward
The fastest-growing franchisees are buying multiple businesses.
How do franchisors evolve their operational support when one franchisee owns 8, 20 or 50 locations?
Facillitator: Helen Kay - Rise Legal
Presenters: Jarrod Montigue - Roll'd, Michelle Price - InXpress, Robert Cameron - Wet Seal, Dan Mesiti - Schnitz
Lightning Talks
6 operations leaders each deliver a 5-minute "steal my idea" presentation.
Scroll up to view the program.
Please note that all streams commence with the same opening session.
Fireside Chat: Mandy Jacobson - Frontline Recruitment, Claire Wilson - The Alternative Board
One of the biggest challenges facing franchising is that many franchisees become business owners without ever learning how to lead people.
This session explores how leading franchise systems are developing leadership capability from day one—building confident leaders who create stronger teams, better cultures and more profitable businesses.
Keynote: Mandy Jacobson - Frontline Recruitment
Every franchise invests in training.
The best franchise systems invest in what happens afterwards.
Discover how leading brands are embedding coaching, accountability, reinforcement and practical follow-up to ensure training becomes lasting behaviour change. Turning Learning into Behaviour Change. Moving beyond training attendance to discuss how organisations are driving adoption, accountability and measurable outcomes.
Keynote: Dennis Midgley - Seek Business
Recruitment is only the beginning.
From Gen Z casual employees to experienced managers, expectations have changed dramatically.
Explore how franchise systems are attracting better people, creating engaging workplaces and improving retention across multiple generations.
Keynote: Clayton Treloar, CEO MBE
The highest-performing franchise networks don't separate people strategy from commercial strategy.
How do leadership development, succession planning, culture and capability directly influence profitability, customer experience and network growth?
This session explores why investing in people is no longer an HR initiative—it's a business growth strategy.
Keynote: Damien Gooden, CEO ER Strategies
Industrial relations continues to evolve.
This practical panel examines: Closing Loopholes reforms, casual employment, wage compliance, psychosocial safety, working from home, right to disconnect, under-16 employment changes
what franchisors should be preparing for next.
A closing CEO conversation. Troy Yewdall, Found & Principal - Aspect Advisory Co
Panellist:, Amber Beise - Nurse Next Door, Therese Frangie - Oporto, Nathan Elliot - Plus Fitness
The best-performing franchise networks don't simply have better systems.
They have better people.Hear from franchise leaders who have intentionally built cultures of accountability, leadership development and continuous learning—and the commercial results they've achieved. A conversation with senior leaders sharing the real people challenges they are facing, what they have learnt and what is working.