The 2025 Franchise Industry Awards Gala has officially cemented its place as the largest and most anticipated night on the franchising calendar, bringing together more than 500 industry professionals to recognise the outstanding achievements and contributions across the Australian franchising sector.
From the buzz of the red carpet to the final award and a packed dancefloor at the afterparty, this year’s celebration was truly one to remember.
Hosted by the Franchise Council of Australia at Sydney’s Fullerton Hotel, the evening honoured the individuals and brands driving innovation, sustainability, leadership, and local impact throughout the franchising community.
“Franchising contributes to the Australian economy in so many impactful ways, it is an enabler to entrepreneurship, success and small business, so it is only right that the industry recognises the talent, dedication and exceptional business that are a part of Franchising. Franchising exists in almost every part of the Australian economy and the diversity of the finalists and winners of this years FIA is a testament to this. Franchising stopped for just a night to celebrate all that is good with peers and colleagues. We can’t wait to see who this event grows for FIA26” said CEO Jay Westbury.
With a record number of nominations and an exceptional standard of entries, the judging panel faced the challenging task of selecting winners across 23 categories.
A standout moment of the evening was the presentation of the Franchisor of the Year award to Amber Biesse and Matt Fitton of Nurse Next Door, while Sally and Steve Kacsics from Muffin Break took home Franchisee of the Year – Single Unit and Charles Batt from Mail Boxes Etc. claimed Franchisee of the Year – Multi Unit.
We extend a special thank you to the incredible guests who joined us, and to everyone who hit the dancefloor and closed out the night in style!
Stay tuned for our full photo gallery and event highlights, coming soon.
2025 Franchise Industry Award Winners
Franchisor of the Year
Amber Biesse & Matt Fitton – Nurse Next Door
Sponsored by Gow-Gates
Franchisee of the Year: Single Unit
Sally and Steve Kacsics – Muffin Break
Sponsored by Access Offshoring
Franchisee of the Year: Multi Unit
Charles Batt – Mail Boxes Etc. (MBE)
Sponsored by Norton Rose Fulbright
Outstanding Contribution by an Individual to Franchising
Jan Timms – Get Smart Services
Sponsored by Quest
Excellence in Equality, Sustainability & Governance
Quest Apartment Hotels
Sponsored by MBE
Excellence in Franchise Innovation
Schnitz
Sponsored by Rest
Franchisee Local Area Marketing Campaign of the Year
HomeCaring
Sponsored by Sesimi
Franchise Woman of the Year
Caitlin Macumber – Plus Fitness
Sponsored by ANZ
Australian International Franchisor of the Year
Body Fit Training (BFT)
Sponsored by Geotech
Franchisor of the Year: 51+ Units
Nurse Next Door
Sponsored by Hitch
Franchisor of the Year: 26–50 Units
InXpress
Sponsored by Just Cuts Hall of Famer Denis McFadden
Franchisor of the Year: Under 21 Units
hey dee ho educational services
Sponsored by FranConnect
Franchisee of the Year: Multi Unit – Health & Wellbeing
Michael and Jodie Smairl – Snap Fitness / Casey Health & Fitness Group
Sponsored by Afterpay
Franchisee of the Year: Multi Unit – Hospitality
Li Zhou and Vanessa Wei Wang – Gelatissimo
Sponsored by Rest
Franchisee of the Year: Multi Unit – Services
Charles Batt – Mail Boxes Etc. (MBE)
Sponsored by FranConnect
Franchisee of the Year: Multi Unit – Retail
Malcom Price – Poolwerx
Sponsored by Afterpay
Franchisee of the Year: Single Unit – Health & Wellbeing
Imogen Parker – Jetts
Sponsored by ANZ
Franchisee of the Year: Single Unit – Hospitality
Sally and Steve Kacsics – Muffin Break
Sponsored by AIBC
Franchisee of the Year: Single Unit – Services
Andrew and Juanita Lawson – Signarama
Sponsored by Access Offshoring
Franchise Service Provider of the Year
RedeMont
Sponsored by The Alternative Board
Franchise Supplier of the Year
Taguchi
Sponsored by Content Monarchy
Franchise Field Manager of the Year
Catherine Holloway – Foodco Group
Sponsored by NAB
Franchise Manager of the Year
Jason Robson – Bakers Delight
Sponsored by Beyond Payments
Franchise Finance Manager of the Year
Ari Nalbandian – Schnitz
Sponsored by Termina
Franchise Marketing Manager of the Year
Megan De Haas – Concept Eight
Sponsored by tfm.digital