Franchise opportunities in Darwin, NT
Top 3 recommended franchise categories
Darwin snapshot
| Metric | Darwin | State avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,000 | 71,000 | +108% |
| Median household income | $102,000 | $97,333 | +5% |
| 5-year population growth | 1.0% | 1.5% | -0.5 pts |
Survival & viability analysis
Coffee & Café viability: High
The coffee & café opportunity in Darwin scores 53 out of 100. With a population of 148,000, this is a substantial catchment that could support roughly 21 coffee & café outlets in total. At about 21 existing coffee & café operators, competition sits below typical metro density — an opening for a well-run entrant. Median household income ($102,000) runs above the state average ($97,333), supporting discretionary spend.
Nearby competition by category
| Category | Est. operators | Competition | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coffee & Café | 21 | Low | Gap |
| Food & Beverage | 16 | Low | Gap |
| Bakery & Dessert | 13 | Low | Gap |
| Quick-Service Food | 20 | Low | Gap |
| B2B Services | 12 | Low | Gap |
| Beauty & Health | 12 | 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 Darwin
How Darwin compares to nearby areas
| Location | Population | Score | Top category |
|---|---|---|---|
| Darwin | 148,000 | 53 | Coffee & Café |
| Newcastle | 322,278 | 75 | Quick-Service Food |
| Parramatta | 256,729 | 80 | Quick-Service Food |
| Geelong | 268,277 | 70 | Quick-Service Food |
| Gold Coast | 699,226 | 80 | Quick-Service Food |
Frequently asked questions
What franchise is best for Darwin?
Based on population, income, growth and competition data, Coffee & Café scores highest for Darwin at 53/100 — competition sits below typical metro density. The next best are B2B Services and Bakery & Dessert.
How much does a franchise cost in Darwin?
Fees don't vary by suburb — Coffee & Café franchises run $118,000–$450,000 all-in nationally (Q2 2026 Fee Index, n=74). See the Fee Index for the full breakdown.
Is Darwin good for a coffee franchise?
It's promising: a coffee & café franchise scores 53/100 in Darwin, with about 21 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.