This Month
Vegan chain collapses amid lack of appetite, Rich Lister dispute
Flave, started by Stuart and Samantha Cook in 2020, wanted to bring plant-based meat to the masses with a chain of vegan restaurants, but it struggled to attract customers.
- Yolanda Redrup
August
Dodgy kickbacks, faked tax returns found in RAMS, Westpac alleges
Westpac said it would effectively shut down the 33-year-old RAMS brand this week amid an ASIC probe into the business.
- Lucas Baird
June
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
This ASX giant is a secret winner from Guzman y Gomez float
As Guzman y Gomez prepares for one of the most hyped floats in years, a $5 billion ASX giant is watching on with interest.
- James Thomson
August 2023
Mercedes-Benz defeats $650m dealer compo claim
The luxury car maker’s dealerships in Australia said they were bullied into signing agreements that stripped them of the “goodwill” they had spent millions of dollars building.
- Max Mason
Wendy’s cooks up deal with Flynn for 200 Australian stores
Wendy’s, the Nasdaq-listed burger giant and world’s third-largest after McDonald’s and Burger King, has struck a deal to set up 200 Australian stores.
- Matthew Cranston
May 2023
Berkshire’s Dairy Queen considers Australian expansion
First it was Wendy’s, now Berkshire Hathaway’s Dairy Queen is looking to Australia as a new market.
- Matthew Cranston
February 2023
Cafe franchisor in court over fake wage records and underpayments
The 85 Degrees coffee chain is at the centre of a major test case about whether a franchisor can be held liable for the actions of franchisees.
- David Marin-Guzman
December 2022
Home builder giant accused of cutting out franchise moneymakers
Court documents filed by Colour Capital claim Netdeen, trading as GJ Gardner Homes, looked to cut out master franchisees over a two-year period.
- Lucas Baird
October 2022
Mercedes-Benz likened to ‘tin-pot dictator’ in landmark dealers’ case
Closing arguments are under way in the $650 million landmark lawsuit between 38 Australian dealerships and their German parent company.
- Jessica Sier
- Exclusive
- Vocational training
McDonald’s lovin’ $30m from taxpayers to train staff
The fast food giant used the money to pay the wages of thousands of trainees under a federal government program designed to “shore up” the nation’s skills pipeline.
- Ronald Mizen
July 2022
- Opinion
- Opinion
KKR’s Laser Clinics buys dozens of unhappy franchisee operations
The private equity juggernaut has bought out dozens of clinics to try to unite the network after two years of unrest and claims of systemic price gouging.
- Adele Ferguson
April 2022
- Exclusive
- Cars
Tech troubles fuel Mercedes-Benz sales model dispute
Mercedes-Benz faces a Senate probe over its shift to a Tesla-style online sales model, as its disgruntled dealers battle with failing invoicing software.
- Jessica Sier
January 2022
McDonald’s seeks pioneers for its regional push
The fast food giant has 100 new restaurants in the pipeline over the next three years, many in regional areas. But finding franchisees is proving difficult.
- Carrie LaFrenz
October 2021
Mercedes-Benz hits back at $650m dealer lawsuit
The car company says its switch to an agency model complies with Australian laws, but Labor says plan the piggybacks on dealer goodwill and hard work.
- Jessica Sier
July 2021
- Opinion
- Opinion
KKR beauty clinics stoush heats up
The KKR-owned laser hair removal and cosmetic injectables company is heading for the courts after mediation failed with almost half its clinics.
- Adele Ferguson
June 2021
- Analysis
- Rod Sims
Politicians, regulators are dismantling a tenet of commerce
Telstra was held responsible for the behaviour of staff and managers at stores it doesn’t own that display its products. It’s a slippery slope writes Aaron Patrick.
- Aaron Patrick
May 2021
- Opinion
- Opinion
Listed gym giant Viva Leisure’s looming legal stoush
One of the country’s biggest gym and health club group’s has become embroiled in a fight with franchisees amid allegations of unconscionable conduct.
- Adele Ferguson
February 2021
- Opinion
- Opinion
Private bill proposes to lift penalties for franchise sector
Labor senator Deborah O’Neill is pushing a private senators’ bill in an attempt to reform franchising.
- Adele Ferguson
October 2020
Quest founder feted as he closes hotels
For the sector's reputation if nothing else, it's probably worth spacing out the accolades from the implosions.
- Myriam Robin
August 2020
Pool cleaners can't see through 'murky' lockdown rules
The Poolwerx chain thinks it might be able to send people out in Melbourne, but it won't risk the fines.
- Liam Walsh