New Zealand Franchising Confidence Index | October 2011

January 2011 Quarter Results

Background

• Quarterly survey of 393 New Zealand franchisors and 115 specialist service providers (e.g. consultants, banks, accountants, lawyers and publishers) to the franchising community.

• Explores confidence in key measures critical to the success of franchising, including the wider environment, growth determinants, and franchising health attributes and franchise system growth prospects.

• This survey represents the views of 36 franchisors and 22 service providers.

The Focus

QUESTION AREAS

1. General business conditions

2. Franchisor growth prospects

3. Franchising growth drivers• Access to capital• Access to suitable franchisees• Access to suitable locations • Access to suitable staff4. Franchisee growth & profitability prospects• Franchisee sales levels• Franchisee operating costs• Franchisee profitability5. How are things looking in your sector?

Please indicate whether you expect the following aspects to be better, the same or worse over the next 12 months (compared to the previous 12 months)

The Results

Both franchisor and service providers’ outlook for general business conditions deteriorated substantially from the FCI’s highs of July. Franchisors were less optimistic (net 6%), dropping 35% from the net 41% recorded in July. Franchising service provider confidence levels dropped 42% to a net 23%, from the previous July quarter.

The Results

Both franchisors and service providers registered falls in sentiment for franchisor growth prospects. Franchisors net sentiment fell from 39% in July to 17%. Meanwhile, service providers’ confidence (net 14%) took back 41% from their optimistic 55% in the previous quarter.

The Results

Repeating the trend a year ago for the same quarter, franchisors’ attitudes for access to financing plummeted back to a negative state (-19%). Service providers managed to remain relatively positive but fell to a low 9%.

The Results

Both franchisors (net -8%) and service providers (5%) broke new lows in their outlook for access to suitable franchisees, underlining the recruitment challenges faced by many franchise systems.

The Results

Access to suitable staff had the only contrasting movement in confidence in the survey between franchisors and service providers. Encouragingly, franchisors responded positively, climbing to a net 17%. On the other hand, service providers declined to 14%.

The Results

Up 15% from July, franchisors felt more optimistic about finding suitable locations (net 22%). Service providers remain constant in their expectation (net 32%).

The Results

Franchisors (22%) and service providers (14%) are less positive in their outlook for sales levels per franchisee. Sentiment toward franchisee operating costs remained firmly in negative territory with franchisors and service providers reporting a net -31% and -27%, respectively. Sentiment for franchisee profitability levels also fell. Franchisors’ outlook for franchisees bottom line fell to 3%. Comparatively, service providers combined for a net -23%, after a year of limited optimism in their outlook for franchisee profitability levels.

Results Summary

• Franchize Consultants’ October 2011 Franchising Confidence Index finds substantial deterioration in key franchising measures, following a rebound in July.

• Finding suitable franchisees remains a challenge. However, franchisors are more positive in accessing suitable staff.

• Expectations for franchisees substantially fell. Franchisors are less positive in their outlook for sales per franchisee. Operating costs remained firmly in the negative territory with franchisee profitability levels closely following the same direction.

More Information

www.franchisingconfidence.co.nz

Including:• More detailed and complete results and

analysis• All charts and illustrations• Franchisor and service provider comments in

their entirety

Franchize Consultants

• The Franchising Confidence Index, is founded, designed and operated by Franchize Consultants, New Zealand specialists in franchising and licensing network development. Founded in 1989, Franchize Consultants have a long and supporting association with New Zealand franchising.

• For further information contact Dr Callum Floyd• Ph. (09) 523 3858• Mob. 021 669 519• Email. callum@fcnzl.co.nz• Web. www.franchisingconfidence.co.nz • Web. www.franchize.biz