Franchise opportunities in Mackay, QLD
Top 3 recommended franchise categories
Mackay snapshot
| Metric | Mackay | State avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,000 | 258,698 | -54% |
| Median household income | $82,000 | $75,522 | +9% |
| 5-year population growth | 2.5% | 5.9% | -3.4 pts |
Survival & viability analysis
Quick-Service Food viability: High
The quick-service food opportunity in Mackay scores 55 out of 100. With a population of 118,000, this is a substantial catchment that could support roughly 15 quick-service food outlets in total. At about 16 existing quick-service food operators, competition sits below typical metro density — an opening for a well-run entrant. Median household income ($82,000) runs above the state average ($75,522), supporting discretionary spend.
Nearby competition by category
| Category | Est. operators | Competition | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coffee & Café | 17 | Low | Gap |
| Cleaning | 8 | Low | Gap |
| Quick-Service Food | 16 | Low | Gap |
| Fitness & Wellbeing | 5 | Low | Gap |
| Automotive | 7 | Low | Gap |
| Food & Beverage | 13 | 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 Mackay
Domino's Pizza Australia
Guzman y Gomez
Jamaica Blue
Muffin Break
Chem-Dry Australia
Fantastic Services
How Mackay compares to nearby areas
| Location | Population | Score | Top category |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mackay | 118,000 | 55 | Quick-Service Food |
| 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 Mackay?
Based on population, income, growth and competition data, Quick-Service Food scores highest for Mackay at 55/100 — competition sits below typical metro density. The next best are Coffee & Café and Cleaning.
How much does a franchise cost in Mackay?
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 Mackay good for a coffee franchise?
It's promising: a coffee & café franchise scores 51/100 in Mackay, with about 17 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.