Rodney Wayne Celebrates Continued Success With Franchisees

Rodney Wayne’s franchise story began in 1980, when Rodney opened his first salon in New Zealand with a simple but powerful philosophy: we listen, we care. From day one, the focus was on how clients felt when they walked out the door – confident, understood and genuinely cared for. That client-centred approach quickly set the salon apart and laid the groundwork for a brand that would become one of the country’s best-known names in hairdressing.

As demand grew, more salons followed, and with the opening of the seventh salon, Rodney welcomed his first franchisee. This marked the beginning of the Rodney Wayne franchise system and positioned the brand as one of the early pioneers of franchising within New Zealand’s hair industry. Rather than chasing trends for their own sake, the business was built around listening carefully to clients, providing expert consultation, and ensuring that there were no “bad haircuts or bad colours” – just opportunities to understand each client better. That consultation-first mindset remains at the heart of every Rodney Wayne salon today.

Over time, the brand expanded from city centres into suburban locations, taking a premium experience into the everyday lives of New Zealanders. Today, the network includes dozens of Rodney Wayne salons and Shampoo ‘n’ Things stores nationwide, supported by hundreds of team members and serving well over a hundred thousand customer appointments each year. Behind every salon is a robust support structure: ongoing education, digital business tools, regional support managers and high-impact marketing that help franchisees build sustainable, profitable businesses.

A defining feature of the system is its focus on developing people and creating real career pathways. That commitment is embodied by CEO Julie Evans, who first joined the brand as a franchisee before moving into the franchisor team and progressing through senior leadership roles to become CEO.  With more than two decades in the business, she brings a deep understanding of the franchisee journey and a long-term perspective on what it takes to build successful salons and strong teams. Her own progression from franchise owner to CEO is a powerful example of the opportunities and longevity the Rodney Wayne network can offer.

This long-term investment in people, systems and support has created a franchise model designed for resilience – something clearly reflected at the recent Franchise Association of New Zealand (FANZ) Westpac Franchise Awards. In a trading environment that has challenged many businesses, the Awards shone a spotlight on the strength and stability of leading franchise systems across the country, with Rodney Wayne standing out as a brand with genuine depth and staying power.

One of the clearest indicators of a strong franchise is how long its people choose to stay. At this year’s FANZ Awards, a special Long Tenure recognition acknowledged multiple Rodney Wayne franchisees who have been in business for more than 15 years. Among them were Gaye McLaren of Sylvia Park (20 years), Stuart Macmillan of Albany (25 years), Pradeep and Kanan Chauhan of NorthWest (25 years), and Annmarie and Gary Wilkinson of The Base Hamilton (23 years). Most notable was Adele Flett, franchisee at Commercial Bay and Newmarket, who has been part of the Rodney Wayne family for an impressive 35 years – making her the second-longest-serving franchisee recognised on the night.

The brand’s ongoing relevance and innovation were also highlighted with Rodney Wayne named a finalist in the Campaign of the Year category, recognising marketing that not only looked great but delivered meaningful engagement and measurable results.

Taken together, these achievements tell a compelling story. What began as a single salon built on listening and caring has evolved into a nationally recognised, award-celebrated franchise system.

For prospective franchisees, the message is clear: Rodney Wayne offers more than a well-known name. It offers proven systems, enduring support, leadership that has walked in franchisees’ shoes, and a culture that continues to grow, adapt and succeed decade after decade.