Australian Business Leader

Darren Wallis Chair  ·  Founder  ·  Builder  ·  Broadcaster

A kid from a Queensland wheat farm who put himself through university working nights, then spent 30 years building one of Australia's most recognised franchise empires — and still finds time to take the boat out with his brothers on 7Mate.

$1.8B Group Sales in Final Year as CEO
30,000+ Homes Built by GJ Gardner
129 Franchisees Across AU · NZ · USA
#98 Top 200 Franchise Systems Worldwide

Business. Television.
Always Moving Forward.

Built From the
Ground Up

Darren Wallis joined GJ Gardner Homes in 1994 as an accountant. Six years later he was CEO. Twenty years after that, with 129 franchisees across three countries and $1.8 billion in sales, he handed the keys to the next generation and moved to Chairman.

Along the way he co-founded Smith & Sons, Total Fitouts and Good Bean — and somehow also hosts a hit fishing show on national television with his brothers.

BCom — UQ LLB (Hons) — QUT FCPA FAICD
Full biography →
2001
Young Accountant of the Year
2012
CPA 40 Under 40 Leaders
2017
FCA Franchisor of the Year
20 yrs
CEO, GJ Gardner Homes

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Whether it's speaking, consulting, business or just a conversation — Darren is happy to hear from you.

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