In this article I take a look at some of the recent commentary around the outlook for franchising in 2026, as well as recapping the regulatory changes in 2025 (particularly the changes that came into effect on 1 November 2025).

2025 was a busy year in franchising with 2 tranches of Franchising Code changes coming into effect, requiring franchise disclosure documents to be updated twice last year in some cases.

Thankfully, 2026 should see more stability on the regulatory front.

The Australian Franchise Outlook Report 2026 indicates that support in understanding legal documents is one of the most important factors in helping someone feel more confident about becoming a franchisee.

As franchisors adapt to the Franchising Code of Conduct introduced on 1 April 2025 (the new Franchising Code), we look ahead to the next round of Code changes coming into effect on 1 November 2025.

In this article we look at some of the important changes to the disclosure obligations of franchisors, arising under the new Franchising Code of Conduct, which came into effect on 1 April 2025 ("the new Code"). 

The Competition and Consumer (Industry Code - Franchising) Regulations 2024, were made on 5 December 2024 and come into effect on 1 April 2025. You can read the regulations here.

Last week while I was busy ensuring that our franchisor clients had updated their profile on the Franchise Disclosure Register, the Federal Government released its consultation paper on a licensing regime for the franchising sector.

As foreshadowed in its response to the 2023 Review of the Franchising Code of Conduct (the Code), the Government has proposed amendments to the current termination provisions of the Code.

The Exposure Draft of the Franchising Code of Conduct has been released, with the Government inviting public feedback until 29 October 2024.

In our last article I considered the proposed changes to the Franchising Code of Conduct (the Code) arising from the 2023 Review of the Scope of the Regulation of the Code.

In this article I will provide an overview of the proposed changes to the requirements "Before a Franchisee Enters into a Franchise Agreement", and their implications for franchisors and franchisees.

The Exposure Draft for the 2025 update of the Franchising Code of Conduct (which is expected to come into force on 1 April 2025) has been released by the Australian Federal Government (the Government).

As part of the Australian Federal Government's Competition Review, Treasury is considering how businesses can protect confidential information or trade secrets without the use of non-disclosure or confidentiality clauses, such as through the use of patents.

In this article we examine the legal definition of trade secrets and how trade secrets are currently protected.