WE DIDN’T FRANCHISE EARLIER AND THAT WAS INTENTIONAL

In the world of franchising, timing is everything. Some brands launch a franchise model within months of opening their first store, chasing quick growth and early momentum. But too often, this approach leaves new franchise partners exposed to teething problems, half-finished systems, and business models that haven’t truly been tested in the real world. At Drizzl’d, we took the opposite route. We waited. And that decision matters for anyone considering joining us today.

Some rushed in. We waited.

When we opened our first store in December 2021, we had the long game in mind. From the start, we knew Drizzl’d had the potential to become one of Australia’s best dessert franchises, but we didn’t want to build on shaky ground. Instead of rushing into franchising, we focused on building strong systems, refining our menu, and proving our model could thrive even when the economy made things tough.

The last few years have been some of the most challenging for hospitality businesses across Australia. Rising costs, staff shortages, and shifts in consumer behaviour pushed many operators to their limits. In that environment, we didn’t just want to assume our systems would work, we wanted to know. That’s why we chose to hold off on franchising until we had proof that our structure, culture, and operations could withstand real-world pressure.

And the results speak for themselves. While many venues struggled or closed, Drizzl’d remained resilient. We built a culture with systems that delivered 20 months of 100% staff retention, adapted our supply chains, and refined processes that meant the store could operate seamlessly even when the owner wasn’t on the floor. Those are the kind of details that can make or break a franchisee’s success.

For potential franchise partners, this patience matters. It means that when you invest in Drizzl’d, you’re not buying into a theory, you’re stepping into a system that’s been stress-tested and refined. You don’t have to worry about being a guinea pig for an unproven model. Instead, you benefit from years of preparation, lessons learned, and foundations that were built to last.

Of course, we’re still growing and adapting. No business is perfect, and challenges will always exist in hospitality. But what sets Drizzl’d apart is that we’ve proven we can adapt and thrive through uncertainty. That gives our franchise partners confidence that they’re joining a brand built for the long haul, not a flash-in-the-pan trend.

So why didn’t we franchise earlier? Because we wanted to do right by our future partners. We wanted to build something reliable, scalable, and resilient before asking others to invest in it. And now, as we step into our next chapter, we’re ready to grow with people who share that vision.

If you’re searching for the best dessert franchise to own in Melbourne or beyond, the question isn’t “why wait?”. The real question should be “why wait any longer?” 

Drizzl’d is ready. The only thing missing is you. Enquire now and ask us about exclusive territories!