From Australia's #1 franchise builder to coffee, fitouts and renovations — built on the same foundation of professionalism, systems and service.
Founded in Queensland in 1983 by Greg Gardner, GJ Gardner Homes is Australia's #1 franchised building company. Darren joined in 1994 as accountant, became partner in 1996, and was appointed CEO in 2000 with 20 franchisees.
Over 20 years he built the network to 129 franchisees across Australia, New Zealand and the USA, with the company delivering over $1.8 billion in group sales in Darren's final year and achieving a ranking of 98th in the Top 200 Franchise Systems Worldwide. Under his leadership, GJ Gardner won the FCA's coveted Established Franchisor of the Year (2017) and Excellence in International Franchising (2013, 2016, 2017).
In 2020, Darren handed the CEO role to Trent Gardner and moved to Chairman. The company has now built over 30,000 homes across three countries.
Co-founded in 2008 by Darren Wallis, Greg Gardner, Corey Passey and Darren's brother Leigh Wallis — born from a frustration with the lack of professionalism in the home renovation industry.
The first office opened in Maroochydore, Queensland in March 2008. The concept was simple: give homeowners a complete, professional renovation experience from concept to completion. Within four years, Smith & Sons had grown to 50+ offices. Today the network has 80+ franchises across Australia, New Zealand and Canada, with expansion into the USA underway.
Named BRW's #1 Fastest Franchise for Outlet Growth (2012) and #2 Fastest Franchise for Revenue Growth (2012). Darren remains a director and shareholder, providing strategic direction.
Launched in 2014, Total Fitouts was co-developed by Darren, the Smith & Sons directors and Jeremy Dyer — applying the same proven "concept to completion" franchise model to the commercial fitout industry.
Total Fitouts serves every type of commercial space: medical suites, professional offices, retail outlets, hospitality venues and more. The franchise model gave the market something new — a complete, simple and professional fitout solution with exceptional client service from first consult to final handover.
The business now has 25+ franchises operating across Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and New Zealand, with a serious three-year national growth plan underway.
Good Bean was founded in 2010 as a single coffee shop. In 2014, the original owner Shane Hepburn approached Darren for help transforming it into a scalable franchise model. Darren came on board as director and applied the franchise-building expertise that had defined his career.
Today Good Bean has 13 licensees operating across New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland — complemented by its own dedicated coffee distribution company that supplies the network. Shane Hepburn now serves as Managing Director of the group.
Darren provides strategic direction and governance as a founding director, helping steer the brand's continued expansion across the eastern seaboard.
With three decades of hands-on franchise building across multiple industries, Darren consults to businesses looking to grow — especially in franchising.
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