The Franchise Industry Awards (FIAs) returned in 2026 as the flagship celebration of excellence within the Australian franchise sector.
Created to honour the outstanding achievements of franchisees, franchisors, suppliers, service providers, and individuals, the FIAs showcased the very best of the industry and shone a light on the positive impact franchising has across the economy and local communities.
The Gala Black-Tie Awards Night was held at 6:30pm on Wednesday, 17 June 2026 in Brisbane, bringing together leading brands, rising stars, and key stakeholders for an evening of recognition and celebration. The night concluded with an exclusive After Party, giving attendees the chance to connect and celebrate in style.
See the full list of 2026 winners →
As the signature event for the franchising industry, the FIAs not only highlighted excellence but also elevated the industry’s profile across government, media, business, and consumers.
The Franchise Council of Australia (FCA) once again hosted the Franchise Forum, a full-day program designed to inform, inspire, and shape the future of franchising. Open to both FCA members and non-members, the Forum was exclusively available to FIA attendees, with complimentary access included with every FIA ticket, creating a seamless and high-value experience for participants.
Thank you to all our 2026 sponsors for supporting the FIAs and helping make the night possible. Your partnership played a vital role in celebrating the very best of Australian franchising.
2026 Categories
FINALISTS OUT NOW!
Franchisor of the Year
Franchisee of the Year: Single Unit
Franchisee of the Year: Multi Unit
Outstanding Contribution by an Individual to Franchising
Franchise Woman of the Year
Franchisee of the Year: Multi Unit – Health & Wellbeing
Franchisee of the Year: Multi Unit – Hospitality
Franchisee of the Year: Multi Unit – Services
Franchisee of the Year: Multi Unit – Retail
Excellence in Equality, Sustainability & Governance
Excellence in Franchise Innovation
Franchisee Local Area Marketing Campaign of the Year
Franchisee of the Year: Single Unit – Health & Wellbeing
Franchisee of the Year: Single Unit – Hospitality
Franchisee of the Year: Single Unit – Services
Franchisee of the Year: Single Unit – Retail
Franchise Service Provider of the Year
Franchise Supplier of the Year
Australian International Franchisor of the Year
Franchisor of the Year: 51+ Units
Franchisor of the Year: 26–50 Units
Franchisor of the Year: Under 25 Units
Franchise Field Manager of the Year
Franchise Manager of the Year
Franchise Finance Manager of the Year
Franchise Marketing Manager of the Year
PROUD FIA26 SPONSORS
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TERMS AND CONDITIONS
In nominating for this award, the nominee agrees:
• To be bound by the awards Terms and Conditions as outlined on the FCA website (www.franchise.org.au) and the FIA Awards portal
• Submissions must be supplied in the format stated in the submission guidelines and received by the stated submission closing date on the FCA website (www.franchise.org.au). Entrants warrant that all information they supply in their submission is not false, misleading or deceptive. The FCA accepts no responsibility for dishonest claims.
• Franchisors who enter the FIA must be registered on the Franchise Disclosure Register (The FDR is maintained by the ACCC) and entries will be validated against the FDR. Any Franchisee who enters the FIA must be a franchisee of a validated franchisor who is listed on the FDR. Membership of the FCA is not a prerequisite of entry.
• Entries by suppliers and service providers must be current financial members of the FCA.
• Entries by individuals must be the owner, director, employee of contractor of a Franchise who is entered on the FDR or a franchisee of a validated franchisor.
• Entries will be judged by the Chief Judge and a qualified judging team. The allocation of judges to a category is at the discretion of the Chief Judge and the FCA will have no influence or control over this. Decisions of the Chief Judge are final and no correspondence will be entered into.
• That all non-pecuniary information contained in the submission, including copy, logos and images may be used by the FCA to promote the awards.
At the time of nominating for the FIA, the company, body corporate, entity or person acknowledges that the organisation involved meets the following conditions of Entry:
• The company is not insolvent. ****
• The company has traded for more the qualifying period prescribed where applicable to each category.
• The company has no breaches against the FCA Members Standards (https://franchise.org.au/member-benefits/fca-member-standards/)
• There are currently no known actions brought against the company by the ACCC, Fair Work Ombudsman or and other regulatory body or court.
• That the entrant meets the eligibility criteria for entering the award category applied for.
In nominating for the FIA it is agreed that:
• If at any time following the submission being lodged the entrant goes into administration, voluntary receivership, liquidation or bankruptcy, the nominee is required to notify the Franchise Council of Australia and accepts that the submission will be withdrawn no longer be eligible for an FIA.
• If at any time following the submission being lodged an action is brought against the entrant by the ACCC, Fair Work Ombudsman or other relevant regulatory body, the nominee is required to notify the Franchise Council of Australia and accepts the submission may be withdrawn and no longer be eligible for an FIA.
The FCA may exclude your entry in certain circumstances, such as, but not limited to:
1) your status, if it does not conform to the requirements stipulated in clause
2) or
(a) your entry, if it is received after the closing date for awards entries; or
(b) it is found that information in your submission is not true, accurate and correct at the time you submitted; or
(c) the information in your submission, if it does not match your membership records with the FCA of applicable; or
(d) If changed circumstances as stipulated in clause (3) materially alter your ability to be judged as achieving excellence in the category entered
(1) The FCA reserves the right to revoke any award made to an entrant (including as a category winner or finalist) where following the presentation of the Awards:
(a) It is found any information in the award submission or declaration of eligibility was false, misleading or deceptive
(b) It is found the entrant failed to notify the FCA of a material change of circumstances as stipulated in clause (3)
(c) In any other relevant circumstance
(2) In the event an award is revoked the entrant is required to:
(a) Immediately return any and all trophies, certificates and other promotional material supplied by the FCA to the FCA at their own cost
(b) Immediately cease promoting themselves as an award winner or finalist and agrees to pay the FCA’s costs, if any, incurred to enforce this rule.
Acceptance of these terms and conditions is taken to be true upon an applicant placing an entry into the portal for consideration and judging of an FIA category.
**By order of the Chief Executive Officer of the FCA.
October 2025