Franchise brands from Taiwan are increasingly looking to set-up in Australia as a proving-ground to customise their concepts before expanding into other Western markets, according to Franchise Advisory Centre director Jason Gehrke, who spoke at a franchise conference in Taiwan recently.
At least 10 Taiwanese brands are currently operating in Australia, including large-scale chains such as Cha Time (170 outlets) and Gong Cha (150 outlets).
Gehrke was a keynote speaker at the 2024 Taiwan International Franchise Conference in Taipei, as a guest of Taiwan’s official franchise association, the Association of Chain and Franchise Promotion Taiwan (ACFPT), and the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA).
“Being the only Westerner and the only Australian on the conference program was a great honour,” says Gehrke.
“Franchising in Taiwan is incredibly strong and very well-supported by the government.”
ACFPT has more than 500 members (out of a total population of around 2,000 franchise brands) which operate more than 200,000 outlets, employing more than one million people and generating revenue of more than 12 trillion New Taiwan dollars (AUD $550 billion).
By comparison, the entire franchise sector in Australia (ie. not just those which are members of its franchise association) is estimated to have 1,200 brands operating 94,000 outlets, employing 574,000 people with annual revenue of AUD$174 billion.
Interestingly, while the franchise sector in Taiwan is at least at twice the size of Australia in terms of franchise brands and outlets, and at least three times larger in revenue generated, the population of Taiwan at 23.42 million people is about 3.6 million less than Australia’s population of 27 million people.