As we track the latest franchise news updates, we must first offer a quick apology for missing our regular update last week—our lead news writer was away on a well-deserved annual holiday!

We are back in the loop now, and the May 2026 market is proving to be incredibly high-velocity.

The current landscape is defined by the “Clean Operator” narrative, where established brands are leveraging the ACCC’s recent disclosure shifts to prove stability while aggressively pivoting toward high-traffic drive-thru and regional models.

Here are the top 5 movements from the last fortnight:

1. Italian Street Kitchen Makes Bold Adelaide Debut

Italian Street Kitchen (ISK) officially landed in South Australia this fortnight, marking its entry into the market with a flagship site on Currie Street. This opening acts as the catalyst for a wider SA rollout already in the pipeline.

 “This opening is just the beginning of more to come; we see enormous potential to grow more of our brands in Adelaide,” stated Gareth Howard, Managing Director of Blue Coral Concepts.

The venue features a unique menu developed with Provence Flour & Malt, utilizing ingredients sourced from 100% Australian family-run farms.

(Source: Italian Street Kitchen)

2. Zeus Street Greek Pivots to Drive-Thru Expansion

Zeus Street Greek has confirmed a major strategic shift, moving into the drive-thru scene as its primary growth lever for 2026.

This follows a significant capital injection from Whiteoak Growth Fund II, aimed at accelerating their national footprint.

“Whiteoak will provide financial backing and strategic support to the Zeus Street Greek founders to accelerate the growth of the business,” according to advisory firm Corrs Chambers Westgarth.

The brand currently operates 45 corporate and franchised stores, with three dedicated drive-thru sites already secured for rollout in 2026. (Source: Zeus Street Greek)

3. Gelatissimo Hits “60 & Scooping Strong” Milestone

The milestone 60th store for Gelatissimo has officially opened in the high-density Green Square precinct of Zetland, NSW.

The site debuts the brand’s “Experience-First” design, including locally inspired murals and immersive prosecco gelato floats.

“Opening our 60th store is an incredible achievement and a reflection of the passion our teams and franchise partners bring to Gelatissimo every day,” said Anthony Shina, Chief Development Officer.

The brand has successfully scaled to 60 units while maintaining its status as a premier Australian dessert network with a national footprint. (Source: Gelatissimo)

4. Just Cuts Expands Regional Footprint in Geelong

The service-based sector remains a powerhouse for regional growth.

Just Cuts has launched its newest salon in Geelong, Victoria, led by a former network stylist turned business owner.

New owner Nia Kim transitioned to ownership after a decade within the network, proving the “stylist-to-owner” model remains a core pillar of the brand’s stability.

The brand continues to leverage high-traffic hubs; recent listings for the brand, such as Greenwood Plaza, boast annual pedestrian traffic of over 17.9 million. (Source: Just Cuts)

5. Zarraffa’s Coffee Marks 30 Years with Capalaba Park Launch

To celebrate its 30th anniversary, Zarraffa’s Coffee has opened a high-tech drive-thru and dine-in café at Capalaba Park, QLD.

This launch aligns with their goal of hitting 200 sites before the 2032 Brisbane Olympics. Founded in 1996 with a $9,000 loan, the brand has evolved from a single store to a national leader in coffee convenience.

Since 2020, the brand has released 19 different single-origin regions to its customers, blending convenience with specialty coffee authority. (Source: Zarraffa’s Coffee)

Strategic Note for Investors: As we move into the second half of May, we are seeing a “Leasing Lull” in major shopping centres, providing a unique window for franchisors to negotiate better spreads. We will cover this in our next fortnightly industry news movements.