For years, there’s been a persistent rumour floating around the migration space — “Franchise businesses like Domino’s or 7-Eleven can’t sponsor overseas workers.” This is completely false.

If you're a franchise owner in Australia, whether you run a pizza store, a convenience outlet, or a petrol station, you are legally eligible to sponsor staff under the subclass 482 (Skills in Demand Visa), subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme), or subclass 494 (Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa) — provided you meet all the standard sponsorship obligations.

🍕🏪 Who Are We Talking About?

Here’s a non-exhaustive list of popular franchise businesses in Australia that often assume they're excluded from sponsorship eligibility:

• Domino’s
• Pizza Hut
• Subway
• 7-Eleven
• Nando’s
• KFC
• Hungry Jack’s
• McDonald’s
• Red Rooster
• Gloria Jean’s Coffees
• Boost Juice
• Oporto
• Zambrero
• Chatime
• The Coffee Club
• Donut King
• Bakers Delight
• Michel’s Patisserie
• Shell / BP / Ampol Petrol Stations (franchise-operated)
• Snap Fitness / Anytime Fitness / F45
• Chemist Warehouse (some franchise-style outlets)
• FoodWorks / IGA
• Gong Cha / Sharetea
• Noodle Box
• Oliver’s Real Food
• Krispy Kreme
• Ali Baba Kebab
• Crust Pizza
• Top Juice

And many more...

If you operate one of these (or similar) branded outlets under a franchise model, you are still considered a retail business under the Australian Business Classification, provided you are engaged in the sale of goods or services directly to consumers.

🛍️ Retail Businesses CAN Sponsor – Here's Why

Whether your business is food-based, health-focused, or a convenience store, if it operates as a retail premises, you may be eligible to sponsor workers under the following occupations:

✅ Eligible Occupations (under standard employer-sponsored pathways):

• Retail Manager (ANZSCO 142111)
• Retail Buyer (ANZSCO 639211)

These occupations are commonly approved where businesses:

• Operate fixed, physical retail locations
• Maintain consistent operating hours and turnover
• Employ multiple staff and require supervisory or procurement roles

💡 So yes, even if you're a Domino's franchisee with only one store, you can sponsor a qualified Retail Manager.

🌏 Additional Options via DAMA (Regional Sponsorship)

If your franchise outlet is based in a Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) region, you may have access to extra occupations, such as:

• Storepersons (ANZSCO 891611)
• Delivery Drivers (ANZSCO 733111)
• Retail Supervisors (Level 4 or 5 roles depending on DAMA terms)

These roles may be ineligible under the standard 482/186 framework, but DAMA concessions offer flexibility for regional employers — including:

• English language waivers
• Lower work experience thresholds
• Concessional salary options

What You Still Need to Meet

Even as a franchise business, you must still comply with all standard sponsorship obligations, including:

• Being actively and lawfully operating in Australia
• Showing genuine business need for the role
• Offering market rate salary above TSMIT
• Meeting training and compliance obligations (SBS and Nomination requirements)

The myth arises because some franchise businesses fail to meet these obligations or use incorrect job titles, which results in refusals — but this has nothing to do with being a franchisee.

📣 Final Word to Franchise Owners

Whether you’re flipping burgers, serving bubble tea, or running a petrol station — you are not excluded from hiring overseas workers. Franchise businesses:

• Can obtain SBS approval
• Can lodge nominations under 482, 186, or 494 visas
• Can access DAMA programs if located in eligible regions

🧾 The key is to structure the application correctly, choose the right ANZSCO occupation, and meet all compliance standards.

✅ Ready to Get Started?

At Growmore Immigration, we’ve helped franchisees from Nando’s, Subway, Domino’s, and several fuel retailers successfully sponsor staff — including managers, buyers, and regional workers.

📌 Book a business eligibility check with our migration experts today.

Have questions? Drop them in the Growmore Community forum and let our RMAs guide you with accurate, legally compliant advice.