Franchise opportunities in Bathurst, NSW
Top 3 recommended franchise categories
1. Quick-Service Food
43Bathurst snapshot
| Metric | Bathurst | State avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 43,567 | 130,301 | -67% |
| Median household income | $82,400 | $83,500 | -1% |
| 5-year population growth | 5.5% | 8.2% | -2.7 pts |
Survival & viability analysis
Quick-Service Food viability: High
The quick-service food opportunity in Bathurst scores 43 out of 100. With a population of 43,567, there is a solid customer base, enough to sustain about 5 quick-service food outlets. At about 6 existing quick-service food operators, competition sits below typical metro density, an opening for a well-run entrant. Median household income ($82,400) sits below the state average ($83,500), which can favour value-led formats.
Nearby competition by category
| Category | Est. operators | Competition | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education & Tutoring | 2 | Low | Gap |
| Hair & Barber | 5 | Low | Gap |
| Coffee & Café | 6 | Low | Gap |
| Home & Trade Services | 3 | Low | Gap |
| Pet Services | 2 | Low | Gap |
| Childcare & Early Learning | 2 | Low | Gap |
Operator counts are a trade-area model derived from ABS population, not a live business census. Richer POI data (OpenStreetMap / Google Places) is ingested per methodology.
Available franchise opportunities in Bathurst
Bucking Bull
Burger Urge
Cafe2U
Coolabah Tree Cafe
Advanced Hair Studio
Barber Industries
How Bathurst compares to nearby areas
| Location | Population | Score | Top category |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bathurst | 43,567 | 43 | Quick-Service Food |
| Newcastle | 322,278 | 74 | Bakery & Dessert |
| Parramatta | 256,729 | 78 | Pet Services |
| Geelong | 268,277 | 73 | Pet Services |
| Gold Coast | 699,226 | 87 | Quick-Service Food |
Frequently asked questions
What franchise is best for Bathurst?
Based on population, income, growth and competition data, Quick-Service Food scores highest for Bathurst at 43/100, competition sits below typical metro density. The next best are Coffee & Café and Hair & Barber.
How much does a franchise cost in Bathurst?
Fees don't vary by suburb, Quick-Service Food franchises run $350,000–$900,000 all-in nationally (Q2 2026 Fee Index, n=96). See the Fee Index for the full breakdown.
Is Bathurst good for a coffee franchise?
It's promising: a coffee & café franchise scores 41/100 in Bathurst, with about 6 existing operators in the trade area (Strong suitability).
Demographics: ABS Census 2021 & Regional Population. Category scores combine ABS demographics with a trade-area competition model and live franchise availability, see methodology. Fees: Q2 2026 Fee Index.