Franchises for sale in Sunshine Coast, QLD
Geography: this report covers the Sunshine Coast 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 Sunshine Coast
250 franchise systems are recruiting new territories that cover Sunshine Coast:
Sunshine Coast on the map
Where Sunshine Coast 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
1. Quick-Service Food
842. Bakery & Dessert
783. Coffee & Café
78What it costs to start in Sunshine Coast
Franchise fees don’t change by suburb, but the categories that fit Sunshine Coast best sit in these all-in investment ranges (Q3 2026 Fee Index, national medians).
| Category | Total investment | Initial fee | Royalty | Sunshine Coast fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quick-Service Food | $337,000–$675,000 | $45,000 | 6.0% | 84 |
| Bakery & Dessert | $350,000–$625,000 | $50,000 | Not enough data | 78 |
| Coffee & Café | $300,000–$700,000 | $35,000 | 6.0% | 78 |
| Hair & Barber | $243,000–$482,000 | Not enough data | Not enough data | 77 |
| Health & Medical | $396,000–$775,000 | Not enough data | Not enough data | 77 |
| Beauty & Health | $150,000–$494,000 | Not enough data | Not enough data | 76 |
Fees: Q3 2026 Fee Index (“Not enough data” means fewer than five systems publish that figure). The fit score blends Sunshine Coast’s demand, competition, demographics and growth, see methodology.
Sunshine Coast snapshot
| Metric | Sunshine Coast | Typical QLD area | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 355,000 | 153,075 | +132% |
| Median household income | $82,900 | $82,900 | +0% |
| 5-year population growth | 14.5% | 5.1% | +9.4 pts |
Survival & viability analysis
Quick-Service Food viability: High
The quick-service food opportunity in Sunshine Coast scores 84 out of 100. With a population of 355,000, this is a substantial catchment that could support roughly 47 quick-service food outlets in total, around 16 more than the 31 already operating locally. At about 31 existing quick-service food operators, competition sits below typical metro density, an opening for a well-run entrant. Population is growing at 14.5% over five years, ahead of the typical comparable area in the state (5.1%), so new demand is still arriving.
Nearby competition by category
| Category | Operators | Competition | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quick-Service Food | 31 | Low | Gap |
| Bakery & Dessert | 5 | Low | Gap |
| Coffee & Café | 37 | Low | Gap |
| Hair & Barber | 5 | Low | Gap |
| Health & Medical | 15 | Low | Gap |
| Beauty & Health | 6 | Low | Gap |
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 Sunshine Coast compares to nearby areas
| Location | Population | Median income | 5-yr growth | Top category | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunshine Coast | 355,000 | $82,900 | 14.5% | Quick-Service Food | 84 |
| Logan | 350,000 | $84,000 | 11.5% | Bakery & Dessert | 78 |
| Ipswich | 247,000 | $86,700 | 16.6% | Bakery & Dessert | 79 |
| Townsville | 180,820 | $88,500 | 2.1% | Bakery & Dessert | 73 |
| Cairns | 153,075 | $82,100 | 4.8% | Bakery & Dessert | 74 |
| Toowoomba | 142,163 | $76,000 | 6.8% | Bakery & Dessert | 72 |
| Mackay | 118,000 | $96,400 | 5.1% | Bakery & Dessert | 77 |
Keep exploring Sunshine Coast & Queensland
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Frequently asked questions
Are there franchises for sale in Sunshine Coast?
Yes. 250 franchise systems are recruiting new territories that cover Sunshine Coast. Territory data is recorded by state (Queensland), so confirm which parts of Sunshine Coast are open with each franchisor. Compare open territories and match your budget below.
What franchise is best for Sunshine Coast?
Based on population, income, growth and competition data, Quick-Service Food scores highest for Sunshine Coast at 84/100, competition sits below typical metro density. The next best are Bakery & Dessert and Coffee & Café.
How much does a franchise cost in Sunshine Coast?
Fees don't vary by suburb. Across the Quick-Service Food systems that publish their costs, the Q3 2026 Fee Index shows a median all-in cost of $337,000–$675,000 (173 systems), a $45,000 median initial fee (9 systems), a 6.0% median royalty (9 systems) and a 4.3% median marketing levy (9 systems) nationally. See the Fee Index for every category.
Is Sunshine Coast good for a coffee franchise?
It's promising: a coffee & café franchise scores 78/100 in Sunshine Coast, with about 37 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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