ABOUT AMANDA
EXPERIENCE. NOT THEORY.
Co-founder, Lord of the Fries — 1 food van to 35+ Australasian locations
The story
EXPERIENCE. NOT THEORY.
Amanda Leigh Walker co-founded Lord of the Fries in 2004 and helped grow it from a single food van into an Australasian plant-based fast-food franchise network with more than 35 locations across Australia and New Zealand.
Over almost twenty years, she experienced every stage of building and scaling a franchise business. From developing operating systems and supporting franchisees to navigating rapid growth, managing operational complexity and making difficult commercial decisions, Amanda understands what it really takes to build a business that can be successfully replicated.
Unlike many advisers, her knowledge comes from lived experience rather than observation. She has sat on both sides of the table and understands the opportunities, pressures and responsibilities that come with building a franchise network.
Career
AFTER LORD OF THE FRIES
Amanda co-founded Lord of the Fries in 2004 and spent nearly two decades helping grow it into an Australasian franchise network with more than 35 locations across Australia and New Zealand.
After exiting the business, she began working with founders, CEOs and leadership teams as a consultant, speaker, mentor and adviser.
Alongside that work, Amanda is an experienced keynote speaker, Master of Ceremonies, facilitator and business mentor.
The method
WHY SHOULD I FRANCHISE THIS?
Should this business franchise at all?
Should I Franchise This? was created after Amanda saw too many business owners invest significant time and money into legal documents, consultants and franchise sales before asking the one question that should come first.
Not every successful business should become a franchise. Some businesses need stronger systems. Others need a more sustainable financial model or less dependence on the founder before expansion becomes viable.
The purpose of SIFT is to provide founders with an independent assessment before they commit to one of the biggest strategic decisions their business will make.
EXPERIENCE SNAPSHOT
Locations across Australia and New Zealand
Building and operating franchise businesses
Australia and New Zealand
Yes, Not Yet, or No
WHAT AMANDA BRINGS
Franchise Readiness
An assessment of whether your business is genuinely ready to franchise, across systems, financials, brand and founder dependence.
Systems & Operations
A review of what is documented, what is missing, and what needs to be built before franchising is viable.
Financial Reality
An honest look at whether the unit economics work for franchisees — royalties, fees, ramp-up periods and working capital requirements.
Founder Independence
Identifying the specific ways the business depends on you personally, and what needs to change before replication is possible.
Sustainable Growth
Practical guidance on building systems and structures that can support growth without compromising the quality of the original business.
Independent Advice
Amanda is not selling a franchise system, a legal package or a consulting retainer. Her role is to provide an honest assessment, even when the right answer is Not Yet or No.
WHAT MAKES AMANDA DIFFERENT?
Amanda's perspective is shaped by building and operating a franchise network over two decades rather than advising from the sidelines. She believes that sustainable growth comes from strong systems, commercial discipline and honest decision-making.
Founder, not theorist
Amanda built and operated a real franchise network. Her advice is grounded in what actually works, not in frameworks developed from the outside.
Independent advice
She has no financial incentive to tell you to franchise. Her only product is an honest verdict — and a clear path forward from it.
Commercial experience
Two decades of commercial decision-making across growth, operations, franchisee management and strategic planning inform every engagement.
Systems thinking
Amanda understands that franchising is fundamentally a systems problem. She helps founders see what needs to be built before replication becomes viable.
Clear communication
Every engagement ends with a clear verdict and a practical path forward. No consulting-speak, no vague recommendations, no qualified maybes.
Long-term perspective
Amanda's interest is in helping founders build businesses that are stronger and more sustainable — not in generating the next engagement.
BEYOND BUSINESS
Amanda's approach is shaped by more than two decades of building businesses and developing people.
Alongside her work in business and franchising, she is a qualified life coach, business coach and meditation teacher. She has studied human behaviour, leadership, mindset and personal development for many years, helping founders navigate not only the practical challenges of growth but also the personal challenges that come with leading a business.
Amanda believes successful businesses are built by successful leaders. That's why her work combines commercial strategy with practical coaching, helping founders make better decisions, build stronger teams and create businesses that can thrive beyond their founders.
THE MOST VALUABLE THING AN ADVISER CAN TELL YOU IS THE TRUTH.
Amanda is not selling franchise systems or legal documentation, and she is not paid to recommend franchising. Her role is to provide an honest assessment, even when the right answer is Not Yet or No.
That independence is what makes the SIFT Method different.
SPEAKING • ADVISORY • WORKSHOPS
Amanda is available for keynote speaking, Master of Ceremonies, founder advisory, leadership workshops, business mentoring and franchise strategy. Whether she is speaking on stage, working with leadership teams or advising founders privately, Amanda brings nearly two decades of practical business experience together with clear, commercially grounded advice.
Beyond Franchising
Explore Amanda's Broader Work
Amanda believes business is one of life's greatest personal development journeys.
Beyond franchising, she works with founders, leaders and business owners on leadership, founder identity, conscious business, Human Design and sustainable success.
If you'd like to explore Amanda's broader philosophy, speaking, mentoring and leadership work, visit her personal website.
WORK WITH AMANDA.
Whether you're exploring franchising, looking for an independent business assessment or searching for an experienced speaker, adviser or facilitator, Amanda brings practical experience, honest advice and a genuine commitment to helping founders make better business decisions.