While the RBA kept us on our toes last week, the real “movement” in the franchise world has been at the boardroom table.

We’re seeing a massive leadership transition at one of Australia’s largest multi-brand franchisors, which signals a potential shift in how some of your favourite chicken brands will be managed through 2026. Meanwhile, the “Wellness” sector is finally making its long-awaited New Zealand-to-Australia jump.

Craveable Brands Taps Josh Kilimnik as Group CEO

The powerhouse behind Red Rooster, Oporto, and Chicken Treat has just announced Josh Kilimnik will take the top job on March 31st.

Kilimnik is a heavyweight, coming fresh from 28 years in the industry—most recently leading Domino’s Asia. This isn’t just a personnel change; it’s a signal that Craveable is looking for high-velocity, tech-driven growth similar to what Kilimnik executed across 1,700 stores in Asia.

Source: QSR Media Australia

O-Studio’s Australian Debut for 2026

The New Zealand wellness and recovery giant, O-Studio, has officially confirmed its Australian joint venture with BeWell Brands.

Founded by former rugby star Tim Bateman, the brand is targeting an early 2026 rollout across major Australian cities. Unlike traditional gyms, O-Studio focuses on “mental performance and physical recovery,” a niche that is currently underserved in the Australian franchise market.

Source: Active Management Australia

Jollibee’s “Strategic Disruption” Begins

While we’ve been waiting for the “Chicken Joy” to land, fresh executive commentary suggests Jollibee is finally moving from “planning” to “saturated entry” for late 2026.

They aren’t just looking for one-off sites; they are scouting high-density urban territories where they can challenge KFC’s dominance head-on.

This is a brand to watch for any “Master Franchise” inquiries coming through Monkish.

Source: Monkish Industry Analysis

Regulatory: The March 31 AML/CTF Deadline

A quick compliance heads-up for your “Clean Operator” series: March 31st is the hard start date for updated Anti-Money Laundering (AML) programs for existing entities.

While it may sound like “big bank” stuff, it affects any franchise involved in high-value transfers or finance. It’s another layer of the ACCC’s “executive accountability” push we discussed previously.

Source: The Modern Regulator

Brisbane Franchising Expo Insights

The Brisbane Franchising Expo just wrapped up (March 21-22).

Early reports show a 20% spike in attendees looking for “Side Hustle” franchises—lower entry-cost models under $100k.

This indicates that while the “40+ cashed-up” crowd is buying the big brands, there is a massive hungry market for accessible service models in the QLD regional corridor.

Source: Franchising Expo Official

Next week, we’ll see if Kilimnik’s first 100 days at Craveable involve a regional QLD offensive or a digital-first menu overhaul.

Until then, keep your playbook sharp and your leadership scouting even sharper.

Cya in the next Pulse.