Franchises for sale in Mackay, QLD
Geography: this report covers the Mackay regional centre and its surrounds. Demographics from the ABS Census 2021.
How this opportunity score works
The score is a weighted 0–100 research signal, not a site-selection decision. It combines, per category:
- Demand (category fit for the population) — 30%
- Competition gap (trade-area model, more room scores higher) — 25%
- Demographic fit (income vs the category) — 20%
- 5-year population growth (percentile) — 15%
- Franchise availability (systems recruiting here) — 10%
Inputs: ABS Census 2021 (population, income, growth) and a trade-area competition model using OpenStreetMap / ABS business data where available. It doesn’t model rent, site specifics or local trading conditions, treat it as a starting point for research, then confirm on the ground and with the franchisor. See our methodology.
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For sale & open territories in Mackay
250 franchise systems are recruiting new territories that cover Mackay:
Mackay on the map
Where Mackay sits and the real local businesses around its centre, the operators a new franchise would compete with. Tap a pin for the business name and type.
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Top 3 franchise categories by opportunity score
What it costs to start in Mackay
Franchise fees don’t change by suburb, but the categories that fit Mackay best sit in these all-in investment ranges (Q3 2026 Fee Index, national medians).
| Category | Total investment | Initial fee | Royalty | Mackay fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bakery & Dessert | $350,000–$625,000 | $50,000 | Not enough data | 77 |
| Coffee & Café | $300,000–$700,000 | $35,000 | 6.0% | 77 |
| Hair & Barber | $243,000–$482,000 | Not enough data | Not enough data | 76 |
| Beauty & Health | $150,000–$494,000 | Not enough data | Not enough data | 75 |
| Cleaning | $27,000–$80,000 | $12,000 | Not enough data | 69 |
| Retail | $200,000–$511,000 | Not enough data | Not enough data | 68 |
Fees: Q3 2026 Fee Index (“Not enough data” means fewer than five systems publish that figure). The fit score blends Mackay’s demand, competition, demographics and growth, see methodology.
Mackay snapshot
| Metric | Mackay | Typical QLD area | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,000 | 153,075 | -23% |
| Median household income | $96,400 | $82,900 | +16% |
| 5-year population growth | 5.1% | 5.1% | +0.0 pts |
Survival & viability analysis
Bakery & Dessert viability: High
The bakery & dessert opportunity in Mackay scores 77 out of 100. With a population of 118,000, this is a substantial catchment that could support roughly 10 bakery & dessert outlets in total, around 7 more than the 3 already operating locally. At about 3 existing bakery & dessert operators, competition sits below typical metro density, an opening for a well-run entrant. Median household income ($96,400) runs above the typical comparable area in the state ($82,900), supporting discretionary spend.
Nearby competition by category
| Category | Operators | Competition | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bakery & Dessert | 3 | Low | Gap |
| Coffee & Café | 10 | Low | Gap |
| Hair & Barber | 2 | Low | Gap |
| Beauty & Health | 1 | Low | Gap |
| Pet Services | 6 | Low | Gap |
| Childcare & Early Learning | 7 | High | Saturated |
Operator counts come from OpenStreetMap (storefronts) and ABS business counts (services), captured 2026-07-31; they're an indicative signal, not a live census. See methodology.
How Mackay compares to nearby areas
| Location | Population | Median income | 5-yr growth | Top category | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mackay | 118,000 | $96,400 | 5.1% | Bakery & Dessert | 77 |
| Toowoomba | 142,163 | $76,000 | 6.8% | Bakery & Dessert | 72 |
| Rockhampton | 83,000 | $76,800 | 1.9% | Hair & Barber | 68 |
| Cairns | 153,075 | $82,100 | 4.8% | Bakery & Dessert | 74 |
| Townsville | 180,820 | $88,500 | 2.1% | Bakery & Dessert | 73 |
| Redbank Plains | 24,921 | $78,800 | 24.2% | Quick-Service Food | 77 |
| The Hills District | 24,772 | $121,400 | 2.3% | Quick-Service Food | 81 |
Keep exploring Mackay & Queensland
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Frequently asked questions
Are there franchises for sale in Mackay?
Yes. 250 franchise systems are recruiting new territories that cover Mackay. Territory data is recorded by state (Queensland), so confirm which parts of Mackay are open with each franchisor. Compare open territories and match your budget below.
What franchise is best for Mackay?
Based on population, income, growth and competition data, Bakery & Dessert scores highest for Mackay at 77/100, competition sits below typical metro density. The next best are Coffee & Café and Hair & Barber.
How much does a franchise cost in Mackay?
Fees don't vary by suburb. Across the Bakery & Dessert systems that publish their costs, the Q3 2026 Fee Index shows a median all-in cost of $350,000–$625,000 (41 systems) and a $50,000 median initial fee (5 systems) nationally. See the Fee Index for every category.
Is Mackay good for a coffee franchise?
It's promising: a coffee & café franchise scores 77/100 in Mackay, with about 10 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: Q3 2026 Fee Index.
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