Top 20 Emerging Franchisors in New Zealand to Watch in 2026/2027

Christchurch-founded O Studio takes the top position as one of New Zealand's most distinctive emerging wellness franchises.

Rather than operating as a conventional gym or single-service fitness studio, O Studio brings together movement, recovery, mindfulness, breathwork and modern self-care. This broader approach gives the brand relevance to a wide range of customers, including athletes, professionals, parents and people seeking practical ways to improve their physical and mental wellbeing.

The company says it has 13 locations confirmed and is seeking additional owner-operators around New Zealand. That places it firmly within the emerging-franchise category while demonstrating that the concept has already attracted meaningful market interest.

Its timing also appears favourable. Wellness is increasingly moving beyond occasional luxury spending and becoming part of consumers' regular routines. Services relating to recovery, stress management, mobility and preventative health are now attracting a much broader audience.

O Studio's strongest advantage may be the emotional depth of its brand. It has a clear founder story, a community-focused identity and an experience that extends beyond the services provided inside each studio.

Its challenge will be preserving that culture and consistency as the network expands. If it succeeds, O Studio has the potential to become one of New Zealand's defining wellness franchise brands.

Pets In The City combines the credibility of a long-established operating business with the growth potential of a relatively new franchise opportunity.

Founded in Auckland in 2006, the company now operates five centres offering dog daycare, boarding, grooming, training and puppy services, alongside accommodation options for cats.

Longevity is particularly valuable in pet care. Customers are not simply purchasing convenience; they are entrusting a business with an animal they regard as part of their family. Reputation, staff training, safety practices and consistent standards therefore matter enormously.

Pets In The City has spent years developing its operating procedures, customer relationships and force-free care philosophy before pursuing wider franchise growth. Franchisees gain access to those systems, as well as marketing support, an established Auckland brand and purpose-built technology such as the company's customer portal and Pet Passport.

Demand for premium pet services continues to become more mainstream as owners spend more on the health, wellbeing and socialisation of their animals.

The opportunity for Pets In The City is to translate its Auckland reputation into a broader national brand. Achieving that will depend on securing appropriate sites and finding franchisees capable of delivering the same level of care that built the original business.

Candoo Crew takes third place as one of New Zealand's fastest-developing property-services franchise systems.

Launched in New Zealand in 2024, the brand has built a multi-service model spanning commercial and residential cleaning, lawn and garden care, building washing, pest control, carpet cleaning, HVAC, electrical services and general property maintenance.

Rather than requiring customers to engage several unrelated contractors, Candoo is developing a national network capable of providing a broad range of property services under one recognisable brand.

That breadth also creates opportunities for franchisees to operate within individual service categories while benefiting from the wider network, central systems, lead-generation activity and established customer relationships.

Candoo has recently restructured its New Zealand operations, introducing new local leadership and placing greater emphasis on accountability, franchisee support and sustainable national growth.

A major part of its next phase is an acquisition-led expansion strategy. The company intends to acquire established property-service businesses and integrate their contracts, customers and operating capability into the wider franchise network.

Candoo says it is targeting between $5 million and $10 million in additional annual revenue through acquisitions. It also reports that more than $1 million in annualised customer contracts was introduced to the network during the first month of the strategy.

This approach gives the system a potentially important point of difference. Many emerging franchises depend almost entirely on individual franchisees generating a customer base from the ground up. Candoo's strategy is intended to combine local franchise ownership with national business development and the acquisition of existing revenue.

The company also reports franchisee satisfaction of more than 90 per cent. Its support model includes assistance with lead generation, quoting, invoicing, administration, training and business development, allowing franchisees to focus more heavily on service delivery and local growth.

Candoo remains an ambitious and rapidly evolving business. Its success will depend on maintaining operational discipline and service quality as its network expands. However, its broad service offering, acquisition strategy and growing international footprint make it one of the most notable emerging franchise systems to watch.

Moving Maids has developed a specialised service around one of life's most stressful experiences: moving home.

Founded in 2017, the business provides packing, unpacking, cleaning and practical relocation support. Although the franchise system is relatively new, the operating model has been developed through years of direct customer service and non-franchised growth.

Its strength lies in recognising that customers often need more than a cleaner or moving company. Relocation can be physically demanding, emotionally exhausting and difficult to coordinate. Moving Maids positions itself as a trusted support service capable of managing several parts of that process.

The franchise opportunity is therefore not being launched from a standing start. The business already has customer demand, lead-generation experience, service procedures and quality-control systems behind it.

Franchisees receive training, marketing support and assistance building a local operation. The service may also appeal to a broad customer base, including busy families, older people downsizing, professionals relocating for work and customers requiring help after a major life change.

By defining itself around relocation support rather than cleaning alone, Moving Maids has created a clear and defensible position within the property-services market.

Bocky Boo Gelato is an emerging hospitality concept with a memorable brand and early evidence that it can operate successfully across multiple locations.

Originating in Whangārei, the gelato and dessert café business now has three New Zealand stores. Its bright, playful identity and family-friendly experience help distinguish it within a hospitality market crowded with cafés, bakeries and takeaway concepts.

That distinctiveness is important. Consumers may have many choices when purchasing a treat, but recognisable brands and enjoyable experiences can turn an occasional purchase into a regular family ritual.

The company's franchise proposition is supported by approximately five years of trading, established operating systems and structured training. It also says its model does not rely heavily on qualified chefs or highly specialised technical employees.

That relative simplicity could be valuable in a hospitality sector where recruitment, labour costs and consistency remain significant challenges.

Bocky Boo also appears capable of operating outside the largest metropolitan centres. Its regional origins suggest the format may suit family-oriented communities and destination locations as well as major cities.

Careful site selection and consistent product quality will be essential, but the brand has the ingredients required to become a recognisable national dessert concept.

Blackwell Trading Post is one of the more unusual businesses included in this year's ranking.

The concept brings together premium New Zealand craft spirits, tastings, gifting and boutique retail within a format connected to Greytown Distilling Company and the wider Blackwell and Sons brand world.

It is deliberately positioned away from the appearance and experience of a conventional liquor retailer. The emphasis is on discovery, local provenance, carefully selected products and an environment that can appeal to tourists, gift buyers and customers interested in New Zealand-made spirits.

That experiential element is important. Specialist retail businesses increasingly need to give consumers a reason to visit in person rather than simply buying online or from a supermarket.

Blackwell Trading Post remains at an early stage, but its combination of hospitality, tourism, storytelling and premium retail gives it a distinctive identity.

New Zealand produces a growing range of high-quality craft food and beverage products, yet many smaller producers struggle to establish a scalable physical retail presence. Blackwell Trading Post could provide a franchise-led route to market for that wider category while building a recognisable destination brand of its own.

Scratchpad operates in a field that is likely to become increasingly important: digital education for children and young people.

The franchise teaches coding, robotics, 3D design and related technology skills through structured, centre-based programmes. It currently has five listed New Zealand units and is seeking further expansion around the country.

For many parents, digital literacy is no longer viewed as a specialist interest reserved for future software developers. It is increasingly regarded as a foundational skill that can support creativity, problem-solving and future employment across numerous industries.

Scratchpad gives franchisees access to an existing curriculum and an established education model rather than requiring them to develop lessons and learning systems independently.

The brand also offers a purpose-led opportunity for franchisees who want to own a business while contributing to education in their communities.

Its long-term potential will depend on keeping its programmes relevant as technology changes rapidly. However, its combination of future-focused demand, educational purpose and a relatively small existing footprint makes it a strong emerging franchise candidate.

Health Shuttle provides companion driving and community transport for customers who may need more support than a conventional taxi or rideshare service can offer.

Its customers include older people, families, individuals recovering from injury and those requiring assistance travelling to medical appointments, social activities or everyday commitments.

The company behind the franchise was registered in 2025 and is now seeking franchise partners to expand beyond its Auckland base. It is therefore one of the earliest-stage franchise systems in the ranking.

The underlying need, however, is well established. New Zealand's ageing population, pressure on family caregivers and demand for reliable assisted transport are creating opportunities for services that combine practical mobility with patience, trust and personal care.

The value of the model lies not only in moving someone between locations but in helping them feel safe, supported and connected to their community.

As a care-adjacent service, recruitment, screening and service standards will be critical. If those elements are managed well, Health Shuttle has the potential to build a meaningful national network in a category with strong demographic tailwinds.

Money Metrics brings the franchise model into chartered accountancy, a professional-services category more commonly associated with independent practices and traditional partnerships.

Established in New Zealand in 2020, the home-based franchise currently has three listed units and is designed for qualified accountants seeking to build their own practices.

Its proposition addresses a common challenge faced by professionals moving into business ownership. An accountant may have strong technical ability and client experience but still need to create a brand, systems, marketing strategy, technology platform and operating structure.

Money Metrics aims to provide those foundations within a wider network, giving franchisees greater independence without requiring them to build every element of a practice alone.

The home-based model may also reduce overheads and provide greater flexibility than establishing a traditional accounting office.

Professional-services franchising requires a careful balance between standardisation and individual expertise. Money Metrics remains small, but its model offers a credible pathway for accountants who want ownership, peer support and an established framework.

Autoblast completes the Top 10 with a highly specialised automotive service focused on vehicle underbody restoration and protection.

The company provides rust removal, rust prevention, sandblasting and media-blasting services. It currently has one listed New Zealand unit, with territories available for national expansion.

Its strength is specialisation. Rather than competing directly with general mechanics, panel beaters or car-detailing businesses, Autoblast concentrates on a specific maintenance and restoration problem.

That focus may be particularly relevant in coastal communities and among owners of four-wheel drives, classic vehicles, commercial fleets, trailers and recreational vehicles exposed to salt, moisture and difficult conditions.

A specialist service can be more difficult for competitors to replicate because it requires dedicated equipment, technical processes and market knowledge.

With only one listed location, Autoblast remains a genuinely emerging opportunity. Its future growth will depend on demonstrating that demand is sufficiently consistent across multiple regions, but its clearly defined niche gives the brand a solid foundation from which to expand.

Oncore offers residential repair and maintenance services with the backing of the wider group behind Refresh Renovations and Zones Landscaping.

That connection gives the emerging brand access to experience developed across established renovation and property-service systems.

Oncore occupies a useful position between individual tradespeople and large-scale renovation companies. Its focus is on coordinating smaller repairs, maintenance requirements and improvement projects that homeowners may struggle to manage themselves.

The opportunity lies in bringing professional project coordination, customer service and reliable systems to a market that is often fragmented.

Although Oncore sits just outside the Top 10, its experienced group backing and the recurring nature of property maintenance make it a credible brand to watch as its New Zealand network develops.

Dream Bathroom Solutions NZ is a four-unit renovation franchise focused specifically on bathroom transformations.

Bathrooms are among the most technically demanding areas of a home to renovate, requiring coordination between multiple trades and careful management of waterproofing, plumbing, electrical work, fixtures and finishes.

By specialising in one room category, Dream Bathroom Solutions can provide franchisees with a more focused sales and delivery process than a general renovation business.

Customers also benefit from dealing with a single business responsible for coordinating the project rather than managing each contractor independently.

The brand remains small, but its systemised model and national ambitions give it an opportunity to build recognition in a valuable renovation category.

Consistent workmanship and strong project management will be essential, particularly as customer expectations and project values increase.

Sushi Sushi is an established Australian brand, but its footprint in New Zealand remains at an early stage.

With one listed local unit, it belongs on this ranking as an emerging New Zealand rollout rather than an emerging franchise system globally.

The brand operates within the quick-service Japanese food category, offering a product that is familiar, portable and suited to shopping centres, transport locations and high-foot-traffic retail environments.

Its existing international systems, supply relationships and brand experience may give it advantages over a completely new hospitality concept entering the market.

However, success in Australia does not automatically guarantee the same outcome in New Zealand. Local site economics, customer preferences, labour costs and supply-chain performance will determine whether the brand can build meaningful scale here.

Its next several openings will provide a clearer indication of its long-term New Zealand potential.

OMG! Decadent Donuts has created a clearly differentiated treat proposition around inclusive dietary requirements.

The brand offers donuts that are gluten-free, vegan-friendly and designed to accommodate several common food allergies. It currently has three listed New Zealand units.

That positioning allows the business to serve customers who may be excluded from many traditional dessert options while still appealing to the broader treat market.

The concept can also operate through flexible formats, including events, markets and mobile or pop-up environments, potentially reducing the reliance on a conventional high-cost retail store.

Its memorable name and focused product range help it stand out, although the business must maintain strict preparation standards to protect the trust of customers with dietary restrictions.

As awareness of food intolerances and demand for inclusive menus continue to grow, OMG! Decadent Donuts has a distinctive platform from which to expand.

The Laundry Lady offers mobile washing, drying, folding and ironing services to households and businesses.

The franchise is recruiting across New Zealand and provides a comparatively flexible entry point into business ownership without requiring a traditional retail storefront.

Its appeal is based on a straightforward customer problem: many people have neither the time nor the desire to manage large volumes of laundry.

Potential customers include busy households, older people, short-term accommodation operators, small hospitality businesses and customers temporarily unable to manage domestic tasks.

The recurring nature of laundry can support repeat business, while a mobile model allows franchisees to develop routes and relationships within defined local areas.

The concept is operationally simple to understand, although profitability will depend heavily on efficient scheduling, processing capacity and control of collection and delivery costs.

Chatime is a mature international bubble-tea business, but its New Zealand network remains comparatively small, with three listed local units.

Its inclusion therefore reflects the early stage of its New Zealand expansion rather than the age of the global brand.

Bubble tea has developed from a niche product into an established international beverage category, particularly among younger consumers. Chatime benefits from strong global recognition, product-development experience and established operating systems.

The opportunity in New Zealand will depend on securing high-quality sites and maintaining enough product and brand differentiation in an increasingly competitive market.

For prospective master or area developers, Chatime offers the backing of an international system. The principal question is whether the brand can convert that global scale into a sufficiently broad and profitable local network.

JAN-PRO Aotearoa brings an international commercial-cleaning franchise model to the New Zealand market.

The brand currently has four listed New Zealand units and remains in the earlier stages of establishing its local network.

Commercial cleaning can provide franchisees with recurring contracted revenue rather than relying solely on one-off consumer transactions. It is also an essential service required by offices, healthcare facilities, industrial sites and other organisations.

JAN-PRO's wider international experience gives the local operation access to established systems, training and brand processes.

However, commercial cleaning is also a highly competitive market in which service consistency, workforce management and contract retention are critical.

The brand's ability to adapt its international model to New Zealand conditions will determine how successfully it expands from its current base.

Fibrenew operates a mobile repair model specialising in leather, vinyl, plastic, fabric and upholstery restoration.

The business has five New Zealand locations and serves customers across automotive, residential, marine, aviation and commercial markets.

Its proposition is supported by a broader sustainability trend. Repairing a damaged seat, couch, vehicle interior or commercial fitting can be more economical and environmentally responsible than replacing the entire item.

The mobile format also allows technicians to perform many services at the customer's location, reducing the need for expensive retail premises.

Fibrenew is already an established international system, but its New Zealand network remains small enough to offer further regional growth.

Its specialist skills, multiple customer segments and repair-before-replacement proposition make it a practical franchise to watch.

A1 Renovations is a Kiwi-owned renovation franchise founded in 2019 and currently listed with three New Zealand units.

The company operates in a large but fragmented market. Homeowners frequently struggle to identify reliable contractors, compare quotations and coordinate the various trades involved in renovation work.

A systemised franchise can address those concerns through consistent branding, project-management procedures and clearer customer communication.

For franchisees, the model offers the opportunity to enter the renovation sector with an established framework rather than building a standalone contracting business from scratch.

A1 Renovations is still developing its national presence, and the quality of project delivery will remain central to its reputation.

Nevertheless, continued investment in existing housing stock should provide a substantial market for well-managed renovation businesses.

FiSBO Property completes the ranking with a hybrid property-marketing model designed to provide homeowners with an alternative to a conventional real estate agency service.

The system currently has one listed New Zealand franchise and does not require franchisees to hold a real estate licence.

Its model appears to sit between fully private property sales and traditional commission-based agency representation, providing marketing tools and structured assistance while allowing property owners to retain greater involvement in the sale.

That proposition may appeal to cost-conscious sellers and customers who are comfortable managing parts of the transaction themselves.

As a one-unit system, FiSBO Property is the earliest-stage concept on this list. It must still demonstrate that its model can be replicated successfully across multiple territories.

However, changing consumer expectations, digital property marketing and continued scrutiny of traditional sales commissions give the concept a potentially relevant position in the market.