Kitchen Studio celebrates franchise success and long-term excellence

For more than 40 years, Kitchen Studio has been helping New Zealanders create the heart of their homes – kitchens that are beautiful to look at and a pleasure to live in. Today the group brings together 12 franchisees and 16 independently owned showrooms nationwide, from Auckland to Dunedin, making Kitchen Studio the only true national specialist kitchen retailer in the country.

From those early days as a pioneering kitchen retailer, Kitchen Studio has grown into New Zealand’s largest kitchen design and retail co-operative franchise system. Franchisees are not just business owners; they are also shareholders in the group, working together under shared values of Passion, Integrity, Excellence and One Team. Each showroom showcases multiple full-size kitchens using products from an approved supplier network, supported by modern design software, in-house training and a strong programme of national and local marketing.

That combination of local ownership and national strength was on full display at the recent 30th Westpac New Zealand Franchise Awards, hosted by the Franchise Association of New Zealand at Auckland’s Cordis Hotel. In a year that has tested many businesses, the awards highlighted just how robust New Zealand franchising remains, and Kitchen Studio was right at the forefront.

In the Home & Lifestyle Franchisee of the Year category, Paul and Karen Collins of Kitchen Studio North Shore (pictured above) took out the top honour. Their business impressed judges with its flexibility, resilience and unwavering commitment to excellence at every step of the customer journey. As Karen notes, the process starts in the client’s home so the team can truly understand how the kitchen needs to perform for the family. Paul is equally proud of the way their designers and installers live and breathe that pursuit of excellence, something the judges said is clearly delivering outstanding results.

Kitchen Studio’s system strength was also recognised, with the brand named a finalist for Home & Lifestyle Franchise System of the Year. This follows years of consumer recognition, including being independently voted New Zealand’s Most Trusted Kitchen Brand for eight consecutive years. Initiatives such as the Total Trust Deposit Guarantee and a 10-year transferable warranty on all kitchens reinforce that trust, giving customers confidence that their investment is protected and their kitchen will perform for the long term.

Another highlight of the night was the Long Tenure Franchisee Recognition, celebrating franchisees with more than 15 years in business. Kitchen Studio’s list was particularly impressive: John and Tricia Wilson (Wellington – 36 years), Marianne Boonen (Hamilton – 22 years), Liz Ensor (Hastings – 17 years) and Paul and Karen Collins (North Shore – 18 years) were all acknowledged for their decades of service. Their longevity speaks not only to the strength of the franchise model, but also to deep local relationships and a genuine passion for helping clients create their dream kitchens.

Behind these successes sits a support structure designed to help franchisees thrive: comprehensive initial training, ongoing coaching for designers, regular national meetings, annual conferences and a suite of proven systems covering everything from sales and design to installation and after-sales care. It’s a model that enables working couples or business partners to build a substantial, design-led business with the backing of a trusted national brand.

Taken together, Kitchen Studio’s performance at the 2025 FANZ Awards, its long-serving franchisees and its enduring consumer trust tell a compelling story: this is a franchise system built on strong foundations, collaborative ownership and a relentless focus on delighting clients. For current and future franchisees, it confirms that Kitchen Studio is a brand where passion, design excellence and long-term success go hand in hand.