WHY DESSERT FRANCHISES ARE BOOMING

Australia’s hospitality industry is evolving fast and dessert franchises are leading the way. From bustling city streets to suburban hubs, customers are proving that indulgence is no longer just for birthdays or anniversaries. It’s an everyday treat they can enjoy any time, and they’re willing to travel for it.

You deserve the sweetest life!

The past decade has seen an explosion in Australia’s food culture, with social media turning desserts into viral sensations overnight. Today, people don’t just buy food, they buy the experience. In a world where a perfectly plated dessert can be snapped, shared, and seen by thousands in minutes, the demand for eye-catching, indulgent products has never been higher.

Desserts also hit the sweet spot when it comes to price. In times of economic uncertainty, customers may think twice about a $100 meal, but they’ll happily spend $15 on something premium, beautiful, and comforting. This accessible luxury is one of the biggest drivers behind the dessert boom, making it an appealing space for investors.

From a business perspective, dessert-focused venues have several advantages over full-service restaurants: smaller menus, faster turnover, less food wastage, and simpler operations. These efficiencies often translate into stronger margins and easier day-to-day management, which is exactly what most franchise buyers are looking for.

But here’s the reality. While the sector is thriving, not every dessert business is built to survive the inevitable challenges. That’s where Drizzl’d is different. Since opening in December 2021, we’ve built our business with the long game in mind. Our systems weren’t an afterthought; they were designed from day one to be scalable, replicable, and resilient.

We made a conscious choice not to limit ourselves to one single product. While some dessert brands define themselves by a single menu item or build their business around a passing fad, we’ve created a flexible offering that evolves with customer demand and seasonal trends. This adaptability means we can keep the menu exciting, stay ahead of competitors, and appeal to a wider customer base all while maintaining efficiency behind the scenes.

For franchisees, that means you’re stepping into more than just a brand name. You’re joining a business with proven processes, comprehensive training, and ongoing operational and marketing support. We know the pain points in hospitality from staff turnover and seasonal dips to supply chain hiccups and we’ve built strategies to overcome them.

Our goal is to give franchise partners the freedom to focus on growth rather than firefighting. Whether it’s our optimised supply systems, people-first leadership approach, or constant product innovation, every element of Drizzl’d has been designed to help owners navigate challenges with confidence.

Dessert franchises are here to stay, and the market will only get more competitive. The businesses that last will be those with solid foundations, not just flashy ideas.

If you’re ready to invest in a dessert franchise that blends creative flair with commercial strength and has the systems to back it up, now is the time to talk. 

The sweetest opportunities don’t wait. You deserve it. Enquiry now.

WHY SOME THINGS SHOULD BE LEFT AS A SECRET

In a time where everyone’s looking for the quickest shortcut to success, originality seems to be losing its shine. Copy, paste, repeat. You see it in every industry, and hospitality is no different. The moment something gains traction, someone else is trying to replicate it right down to the same fonts, colours, and even the way it’s plated and served.

There’s more to a brand than just the logo.

But Drizzl’d has never been about shortcuts. Personally, I’m a “chess not checkers" type of person. From the very beginning, we made a decision that separates us from every other dessert store and every other franchise model trying to flood the market. We locked in our core product with something untouchable: a secret recipe.

It’s the foundation of our brand, our story, and our success.

Think of KFC. You can buy a dozen different fried chickens at the supermarket or your local takeaway shop, but none of them taste like KFC. Why? Because their original recipe with those 11 herbs and spices remains a secret. It's legendary. And more importantly, it’s untouchable.

Drizzl’d has that too.

Our dough recipe is completely unique. It took nearly a year during COVID-19 of trial, error, and obsessive refinement. Everything was scrutinized, tested and made over a dozen times. Over and over again. The ratios, ingredients, and process are tailored precisely to what we know our customers love. And here’s the kicker, only one person has the complete recipe. Me. It’s not stored at the store. It’s not printed and laminated in some binder. It’s tucked away in a safe, in a completely different location.

Call it over the top. We call it smart business.

This decision wasn’t just about protecting flavour. It was about protecting the future. We’ve seen it happen countless of times; someone likes your product, copies the surface-level details, and thinks they’ve got a winning concept. But without the core? It doesn’t work. That’s what makes Drizzl’d hard to replicate. We haven’t just built a brand. We’ve protected its foundation.

For franchisees, this matters. You’re not buying into a business anyone can copy. You’re investing in something with substance. With a real point of difference. You’re serving a product that can’t just be Googled or guessed. Our dough isn’t off-the-shelf, and it’s not something a competitor can reverse-engineer. It’s been built, tested, and refined for the exact product our customers come back for day after day.

And even if someone tries to mimic the flavour, they won’t be able to replicate the experience. Because Drizzl’d isn’t just about the dough. It’s about the systems, the energy, the service, and the vibe that make people say, “This place just hits different.”

So if you’re considering a franchise, ask yourself: are you buying a logo, or are you buying something that can stand the test of time?

At Drizzl’d, we’ve chosen to make our product hard to duplicate and even harder to forget. That’s not a coincidence. It’s strategy. Because we believe the best businesses aren’t the ones that follow the crowd. They’re the ones that make sure no one else can catch up.

You ready? Click here to find out more.

HOW DO I KNOW I AM REALLY READY TO BE A FRANCHISEE?

It’s a question that hits you when you're scrolling through franchise listings at midnight or walking past a packed café thinking, “Could that be me one day?” I remember that exact feeling. It was almost five years ago now when I was doing the same thing, trying to figure out if I was truly ready to do this and build a company from the ground up.

Make yours a sweet life!

If you've found yourself Googling things like “hospitality franchises for sale in Melbourne” or “how much does it cost to buy a franchise in Australia,” you're already one step ahead. That kind of curiosity usually means something inside you is shifting.

But wanting something more doesn’t always mean you’re ready. It’s not about how much you dream, but whether you understand what stepping into ownership actually looks like.

Owning a franchise is very different to working in hospitality. You’re not just there to manage rosters or smile at customers. You’re building a team, making decisions that shape your brand, and making sure everything from wages to wastage is being handled properly. In the early days, it’s hands-on. You’re the one training, leading, checking on quality, and holding it all together.

But if you’re someone who appreciates structure, wants a clear path, and is ready to show up and learn, that’s already a good sign. And if you’re thinking about how to build something that doesn’t rely on you being there every day, you’re thinking like an owner.

At Drizzl’d, that’s exactly who we built our systems for. We created our framework so someone else could take the reins and run things smoothly without needing to reinvent the wheel. I haven’t been rostered for a shift in years, but I still lead from a higher level. I guide the team, refine the systems, and keep us pushing forward. That’s only possible because the foundation was built with intention.

Even though we’re still a growing brand, we’ve always had long-term vision. From our launch in December 2021 to now heading into our fourth year, we’ve learned that sustainable growth only happens when the right systems are in place and the right people step up.

You’ll know you’re ready when you stop waiting for the perfect conditions and start asking more grounded questions. Can I lead a team? Can I follow a proven model and still bring my own leadership to it? Can I commit to learning and building something I’ll be proud of?

Franchise ownership isn’t about hype or hope. It’s about clarity, consistency, and building a business that works with or without you.

And if Drizzl’d is on your radar, just know this, we’ve built something solid. It’s been tested. It’s running. And we’re ready to share it with the right people.

You don’t have to have it all figured out. But if you’re asking the right questions, you're already closer than you think.

SWEET DRIZZL’D CONFESSIONS IS MOVING!

There’s something sweet, messy, and just a little bit wild about a late-night dessert confession and over the past few months, you’ve proven it.

When we first launched Sweet Drizzl’d Confessions, we didn’t know what to expect. It started as a fun idea: give people a place to anonymously spill the tea while they tucked into doughnut balls and churros. But what followed blew us away. From cheeky admissions and heartfelt moments to wild late-night memories and post-date dilemmas — your confessions and stories came flooding in!

We don’t snitch, but we do reward. Your secret is safe with us.

And the numbers? Let’s just say you’ve all been reading. Our Confessions blog series quickly became one of the most visited corners of the Drizzl’d site. A large number of views, many story submissions that made us feel so many different types of ways, and more late-night laughs than we could’ve imagined.

But more than the views, what’s meant the most is the trust. The fact that so many of you have felt comfortable enough to share your secrets with us, funny, messy, honest, and raw, says something bigger. It says that Drizzl’d isn’t just about desserts. It’s about belonging. About being seen and heard. About creating a place where people can show up as they are even if that means confessing to stealing the last churro on a date or ghosting someone after a the first date-night.

So, where to next?

We’re excited to announce that Sweet Drizzl’d Confessions are moving from the blog to our socials and we’re going to rename this to ‘Sweet Drizzl’d Stories’!. That means more juicy secrets, more drama, more laughs and a whole new way to interact with your stories. Think Instagram, TikTok, maybe even a few cheeky polls and dramatic reenactments. We want to bring these stories and confessions to life in a way that’s fun, fast, and interactive. And we’re inviting you to come along for the ride.

You can still submit anonymously (of course) via our new submission portal here! And don’t worry, the most outrageous ones will still get their moment in the spotlight. Only now, they’ll be reaching an even bigger audience of dessert lovers, late-night snackers, and drama addicts who live for this kind of content.

So keep the secrets coming. Keep the confessions juicy. And if you see yours on TikTok soon don’t worry, your identity is safe with us.

We don’t snitch, but we do reward.
After all, we’re Drizzl’d.
And yeah, you deserve it.

THE UNSEEN COSTS TO RUNNING A FRANCHISE

When most people think about buying a franchise, the focus tends to land on what’s obvious. The initial investment, ongoing fees, supplier relationships, and expected profit margins. It’s all part of the research phase. But very few talk about what’s beneath the surface. The emotional cost. The mental weight. The responsibility that doesn’t show up in spreadsheets or sales projections.

Let’s be real here..

Because make no mistake, running a franchise (just like any business) comes with pressure. Yes, you’re buying into a brand. Yes, the systems are proven. But at the end of the day, the decisions are still yours. You are the one steering the ship when it gets choppy.

And it will get choppy. Staff calling in sick just before the post dinner rush. Supplier delays that throw your prep window sideways. A quiet week of trade right after your biggest stock order. You put on a smile for the customers, but behind the scenes, you’re adjusting rosters, cutting waste, and managing morale on two hours of sleep. It’s not glamorous. It’s real.

Then comes the mental shift. If you’ve only ever worked for someone else, the weight of leadership is something you feel fast. You’re responsible not just for the service, but for people’s livelihoods. Your wins are yours to celebrate but the losses are yours to absorb too. You’ll question yourself more than you expect. But this is where growth happens. It’s what separates operators from leaders.

That’s why at Drizzl’d, we’ve never tried to sell the dream of ‘easy business’. Instead, we built something better. We built a franchise model that’s structured to support you when it counts most and not just when things go right.

Since launching in December 2021, we’ve designed our systems to help franchisees stay steady through uncertainty. From daily and weekly check-ins, to plug-and-play staffing tools, leadership support, operations manuals and more, everything exists to reduce decision fatigue and give you back your headspace. When things go sideways (and they will), you’ll know exactly what to do, and you won’t be doing it alone.

And that foundation matters. Because we’ve had the same staffing shortages, cost increases, and economic curveballs every other business has faced. But we’re still here. Still growing. Still refining. Not because we avoided hardship, but because our model was built to move with it.

Franchising, when done right, is a chance to fast-track ownership without feeling overwhelmed. You’re buying into more than a logo. You’re investing in frameworks, in guidance, and in a team that wants to see you win. The support is real. The community is strong. And the opportunity is waiting.

So if you’ve been exploring hospitality franchises and wondering, “Could this be the one?”, here’s your sign.

Because Drizzl’d isn’t just a dessert brand. It’s a platform for growth. It’s one that’s been tested, refined, and ready for you to leap into this exciting phase of your life..

Ready to build something real? Click here. Let’s talk.

You’ve done the dreaming. Now it’s time to start building. You deserve it.

HOW TO KEEP STAFF WHEN EVERYBODY IS LOSING THEM?

In an industry where staff turnover is often expected, Drizzl’d has taken a different approach. We’ve built something that doesn’t just focus on great desserts, but on creating a great place to work. At one point, our Moonee Ponds store had 100% staff retention for over 20 months. That kind of consistency is almost unheard of in hospitality, and it’s something we’re extremely proud of.

Your staff is one of your biggest asset. Treat them accordingly!

So how do you hold onto great people when others are struggling to keep their rosters full?

It starts with culture. From day one, Drizzl’d was designed to be more than just a business. We wanted it to feel like a place where people enjoyed showing up. A space where team members felt valued, respected, and listened to. That comes down to leadership. We don’t expect staff to give their best without showing them the same effort in return. Whether it’s checking in after a tough shift, celebrating the little wins, or just creating a positive work environment, we make the effort to ensure people feel like they belong.

But culture without structure won’t hold for long. One of the biggest reasons staff leave in hospitality is a lack of clear expectations. That’s why we focus heavily on systems. Structured onboarding, consistent training, and clear communication set everyone up to succeed. At Drizzl’d, no one is left guessing. Every team member understands their role, knows how to get support, and feels confident in how to do so. Structure creates confidence, and confidence creates loyalty.

We also understand that for most people, a job is a stepping stone, not a final destination. At Drizzl’d, we give people room to grow. Whether it's training across different roles, taking on leadership opportunities, or contributing ideas that improve the business and including them in improvement exercises, we treat every staff member as someone capable of more. In return, they bring more value to the business. For franchisees, this means you’re not just hiring staff, you’ll be using our framework to enable you to build a team that sticks around and levels up with you.

And that’s the business case behind it. High turnover costs money. It slows down service, affects consistency, and drains your time. That’s why we’ve baked strong team culture, management training, and support into our franchise model even though we are still a very small business. From day one, we’ve thought big and prepared for this. As a result, you’ll have tools to help you attract, train, and retain great people.

Will it always be perfect? Of course not. Will there always be room for improvement? Most definitely. There will always be busy nights, moments of stress, and natural turnover. But when your foundations are strong, your team holds together. And even when people do move on, they do so with respect and positive experiences often referring to others or coming back later.

At Drizzl’d, we know that our people are our biggest asset. And we’ve built our franchising model around helping you keep yours. Because when your team is thriving, your business has a much better chance of doing the same.

If you’ve ever dreamt of owning a business where strong teams, proven systems, and genuine culture do the heavy lifting, this might be your moment. Drizzl’d isn’t just another dessert brand, it’s a model built to scale with support, structure, and heart. If something here has resonated, that little spark of curiosity might be worth exploring. Click the link to learn more about our franchise opportunity. 

No pressure, just possibilities. You deserve it!

WE’VE REACHED 100 BLOG POSTS!!

When we started the Drizzl’d blog, the aim was simple: to tell stories that mattered. Not just about dessert, but about the people, the moments, and the lessons behind everything we do. Today marks a huge milestone. We’ve officially published our 100th blog post.

To all our customers, readers and supporters — thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

To every reader who’s been part of the journey, thank you.

Over the past couple of years, we’ve written about everything from late-night cravings to franchising decisions. Some of you discovered us while searching for the best desserts in Melbourne, others were deep in research about food business ownership or hospitality franchise opportunities. Whatever path brought you here, we’re grateful you stayed.

Across these 100 posts, we’ve explored what it really takes to run a dessert business. We shared the behind-the-scenes moments of launching Drizzl’d, and what it's like stepping back from daily operations without stepping away from the vision. We’ve talked about building team culture, and even celebrated a rare win in hospitality which was maintaining 20 months of 100% staff retention!

There were the real-talk pieces too. The lessons we wish we knew before entering the food industry. The emotional weight that comes with leadership. We wrote about the chaos of unexpected peak nights, supplier delays, and those unforgettable “we need to fix this now” moments that come with running any customer-facing business.

And yes, we’ve had fun. Our Sweet Drizzl’d Confessions series brought out the juiciest stories from our late-night crowd because nothing pairs better with a hot doughnut ball than a little drama which we will transition to social media in the very near future!

Alongside the storytelling, we’ve built content that quietly does the heavy lifting. We’ve made sure that when someone searches for desserts near Moonee Ponds or late-night milkshakes in Essendon, they’ll likely find us. And for the person typing “how to buy a franchise in Melbourne,” we’re there too with content built from experience, not just theory that’s there to help people who want to embark on a similar journey!

This blog has become more than a place for announcements. It’s become a reflection of our brand values. It’s where we talk about what’s working, what we’re proud of, and what we’re still figuring out. We write for the curious dessert-lover and the future franchise partner alike. And that balance has helped us grow a community that feels informed, connected, and seen.

So, here’s to the first 100. To the posts that made you hungry, made you think, or made you consider what’s possible in the world of food and business.

We’re just getting started.

Whether you're here for the stories, the advice, or simply deciding what to order after 10pm, we’re glad you're here. We’ll keep writing. You keep showing up.

And yeah, you deserve it.

WHY THE FIRST 6 MONTHS MATTERS

There’s something exciting and intense about the first six months of opening a business. It’s a time when energy is high, everything feels new, and every win feels massive. But more than anything, this period is critical. It sets the foundation not just for how your business operates, but for how it grows, how it adapts, and how it survives long term.

We get it. We’ve been through it.

When we opened Drizzl’d, we didn’t treat the first few months as a soft opening. We treated it like a live test of everything we had built on paper. Systems, branding, team structure, supplier relationships, this was our chance to stress test it all. It wasn’t about perfection, it was about learning quickly and setting standards that could scale.

One of the most important lessons we’ve learned is that customer feedback in those early days is gold. People will tell you what they love, what’s missing, and what isn’t working. Listening to this, really listening, can shape your menu, store layout, even how you manage peak times. You don’t get a second shot at those first impressions, so the faster you adjust, the better your long-term results.

Those first six months are also where your team culture is created. You can’t just write it down in a handbook. Culture comes from how you show up, how you handle pressure, and how you treat both your staff and your customers. If you want a business that runs smoothly without you in the room, then the culture needs to be strong, and that starts with how you lead in the beginning.

Financially, this is the moment of truth. All the projections and planning meet reality. You learn how the store performs day to day, how much waste really occurs, and whether your costings hold up against supplier changes or seasonality. Smart operators know that it’s not about perfect profit from day one. It’s about learning, tweaking, and making improvements based on real data.

Even for those buying into a franchise like Drizzl’d, where the branding and systems are ready to go, the first six months are still make or break. Not because you’ll fail, but because this is when your habits are formed. It’s when you learn how to lead your team, how to maintain consistency, and how to bring the brand to life in your local community.

At Drizzl’d, we don’t just give you the tools and wish you luck. We’re hands-on from day one, because we know how vital those early decisions are. We’ve been through it. We’ve lived it. Everything is documented.

It’s not about sprinting to the finish line. It’s about setting a solid rhythm that can be sustained over the long haul. Whether it’s your first business or your fifth, treat those first six months with intention. They matter more than most people realise.

LESSONS WHICH I WISH I KNEW BEFORE STARTING DRIZZL’D

When we opened Drizzl’d, I didn’t walk in blind. Systems were in place. The brand was clear. Every process was designed with scale in mind because I knew from day one that we weren’t building something small - we were building something that could grow. But even with all the preparation, there are things the textbooks don’t teach you. Things you only learn in the middle of it all.

Here are some things that only life experience will teach you..

One of the biggest lessons? Margins in food are tight. Tighter than most people expect. You can be flat-out busy, have a loyal customer base, and still find yourself chasing real profit. A booming night in sales doesn’t always translate to what’s left at the end of the week. Wages, rent, waste, and supplier price changes can shift the goalposts overnight. The lesson? Profit doesn’t come from popularity alone. It comes from staying sharp with your numbers and being flexible when the game changes.

I also learned how fragile culture can be, even when you’ve built something strong. We worked hard to create a positive, high-performing team culture and that paid off. In fact, we went 20 months without a single team member leaving. But even then, culture isn’t something you build once and forget. It needs protecting. One wrong hire or a few unresolved issues can shift the entire energy. So now, we stay proactive. We check in often. We nurture the vibe, not just the tasks.

The emotional investment? That’s real too. The responsibility of leading a team, keeping standards high, and delivering a great customer experience can weigh heavily but it also keeps you grounded. You realise you’re building something that impacts people’s lives, and that makes every tough day worth it.

Then there’s the chaos. The things you just can’t control. You can prep perfectly and still get hit with a rush, a tech issue, or a surprise plumbing leak. But the ability to stay calm, reassess, and move forward? That’s a skill you learn fast. And it pays off.

Marketing was another eye-opener. I always knew it was important but I underestimated just how constant it would need to be and where I needed to focus my energy on. In hospitality, visibility is everything. You’re not just selling a dessert, you’re creating an experience, a vibe, a moment worth sharing. That takes creativity, consistency, and a team that believes in the message.

And yes, we’ve been copied more times than I can count. At first, it bothered me. But now? I smile. Because if people are copying you, you’re doing something right. Our job isn’t to worry about that – it’s to keep leading and keep evolving.

Even now, though I haven’t been rostered on for years, I’m still involved. I support the team, oversee the systems, and drive the direction. That’s the beauty of a well-built business – you don’t have to be on the tools every day to still be in the driver’s seat.

So, if you’re thinking about getting into hospitality, whether it’s through franchising or starting your own venture, know this: the food business will stretch you, test you, and teach you. But it will also reward you, connect you, and grow you in ways you never imagined.

And if you’re ready to take that step, just know, you won’t be doing it alone.

WHY SYSTEMS MATTER MORE THAN HYPE

There’s a certain buzz that comes with launching a new hospitality business. The branding, the fit-out, the logo, the Instagram countdowns - it’s exciting, we get it. And don’t get me wrong, hype has its place. But here’s the truth: when the launch glow fades, what you’re left with are your systems. And that’s what decides whether you have a business that thrives, or one that barely survives.

A powerful reminder that hype can draw a crowd, but only solid systems keep them coming back!

Like the old saying goes, everything needs a solid foundation. In the rush of getting something off the ground, it’s easy to focus on the visible parts; the menu, the décor, the social media engagement. But if you grow too quickly without the systems to support it, you end up playing catch-up in all the worst ways.

When we launched Drizzl’d, our priority wasn’t hype. It was a process. We knew if we ever wanted to grow, we needed to build a structure that could handle that growth. That meant clear staff training systems. Inventory and ordering protocols. Prep checklists. Store opening and closing procedures. Feedback loops. The less glamorous parts of hospitality that are rarely posted online but make or break a venue.

Why does this matter to potential franchisees? Because when you’re investing in a franchise, you’re buying more than a brand. You’re buying into a system. And if that system doesn’t work, if it can’t run without the founder standing at the counter – it’s not truly scalable.

We’ve seen this in action across the industry. There are venues with thousands of followers and viral videos who still struggle with consistent service. And then there are quieter businesses, maybe without the same online reach, that operate like clockwork. Guess which one is easier to replicate and grow?

Systems aren’t just about efficiency. They create consistency. And in hospitality, consistency is everything. Customers remember how something made them feel. If your service and quality fluctuate day to day, you lose trust. But if you’ve got a well-trained team following a clear framework, you can deliver that same high standard whether you’re on site or not.

At Drizzl’d, our systems were built not just to support one store—but to support ten, twenty, fifty. And we’re proud to say they’re working. Our store has run day to day without me needing to be rostered on for years. That’s not because I disappeared, but because the model is strong enough to stand on its own. And that’s the true test of any franchise.

So if you’re thinking about getting into the hospitality game, ask the right questions. Don’t just look at the Instagram page. Ask how staff are trained. How stock is managed. What happens if someone calls in sick. How quality is maintained across shifts. The boring stuff is often the stuff that saves you.

Hype will get people through the door. Systems are what keep them coming back.

If you’re exploring franchise opportunities in Melbourne or anywhere across Australia, look for what’s behind the counter, not just what’s in front of it. A good brand turns heads. A good system builds legacies.

And if you think Drizzl’d is for you, click here to learn more!