Franchise opportunities in Willoughby, NSW
Top 3 recommended franchise categories
3. Quick-Service Food
60Willoughby snapshot
| Metric | Willoughby | State avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 13,028 | 20,009 | -35% |
| Median household income | $149,800 | $100,267 | +49% |
| 5-year population growth | 1.2% | 13.0% | -11.8 pts |
Community & demographics
Who lives in Willoughby, and what it means for a franchise. Every figure below is a real ABS Census 2021 median for this area, not an estimate.
| Measure | Willoughby | What it signals for franchising |
|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41 years | Broad working-age and family customer base |
| Average household size | 2.8 people | Family-heavy, favours food, education and household services |
| Median household income | $2,880/wk | Overall spending power of the local market |
| Median family income | $3,630/wk | Discretionary spend of family households |
| Median personal income | $1,160/wk | Individual earnings, a labour-cost and spend signal |
| Median rent | $596/wk | Cost of living and a proxy for commercial rents |
| Median mortgage | $3,600/mo | Homeowner cost base in the area |
Source: ABS Census 2021 G02 + ERP 2016→2021 · SA2 Willoughby (121011687). Incomes are median weekly (household income is also shown annualised in the headline stats).
Survival & viability analysis
Food & Beverage viability: High
The food & beverage opportunity in Willoughby scores 64 out of 100. With a population of 13,028, the catchment is smaller, so demand may support only one well-sited food & beverage outlet. At about 1 existing food & beverage operator, competition sits below typical metro density, an opening for a well-run entrant. Median household income ($149,800) runs above the state average ($100,267), supporting discretionary spend.
Nearby competition by category
| Category | Est. operators | Competition | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Food & Beverage | 1 | Low | Gap |
| Bakery & Dessert | 1 | Low | Gap |
| Retail | 1 | Low | Gap |
| Beauty & Health | 1 | Low | Gap |
| Lawn & Garden | 1 | Low | Gap |
| Massage & Wellness | 1 | 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 Willoughby
Acai Brothers
Boost Juice
Auntie Anne's
Bakers Delight
Bucking Bull
Burger Urge
How Willoughby compares to nearby areas
| Location | Population | Score | Top category |
|---|---|---|---|
| Willoughby | 13,028 | 64 | Food & Beverage |
| Newcastle | 322,278 | 77 | Bakery & Dessert |
| Parramatta | 256,729 | 79 | Pet Services |
| Geelong | 268,277 | 75 | Pet Services |
| Gold Coast | 699,226 | 84 | Quick-Service Food |
Frequently asked questions
What franchise is best for Willoughby?
Based on population, income, growth and competition data, Food & Beverage scores highest for Willoughby at 64/100, competition sits below typical metro density. The next best are Bakery & Dessert and Quick-Service Food.
How much does a franchise cost in Willoughby?
Fees don't vary by suburb, Food & Beverage franchises run $250,000–$750,000 all-in nationally (Q2 2026 Fee Index, n=210). See the Fee Index for the full breakdown.
Is Willoughby good for a coffee franchise?
It's promising: a coffee & café franchise scores 58/100 in Willoughby, with about 2 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.