IWG is in search for a local buyer to purchase its New Zealand business with master franchise rights after it was reported that the company was shifting its strategy, with most of the business being up for sale over time.
About nine months ago, the company launched its successful franchise program in the UK, leading them to expand this model elsewhere.
The company currently has two brands — Bizdojo and Regus — operating in New Zealand and was gearing up to also launch its Spaces brand.
Pierre Ferrandon, IWG New Zealand country manager, said that it would be launching its franchise operations and is in talks with parties that are interested in its coworking spaces.
“We want to accelerate our growth faster than we have been doing,” said Ferrandon. “That’s where the opportunity is, these corporates to come and work from a flexible work space or coworking where they can actually get the right space for the amount of staff they have.”
IWG wants to open 100 to 120 New Zealand locations through franchising, with 50 to 60 to be located in Auckland.