Strong fundamentals build a franchise. Innovation scales it.
Franchise success has always started with the same foundations: a proven operating model, a trusted brand, consistent client demand, and a service category that remains essential through changing economic conditions. For franchise partners, those fundamentals create stability - but they no longer define the ceiling for growth.
Nowhere is this trend more evident right now than in the backyard pool care sector. A recent announcement from Poolwerx, Australia’s largest pool servicing network, offers a masterclass in how forward-thinking franchisees are leveraging cutting-edge technology to give their franchise partners a competitive edge. By partnering with energy infrastructure leader Intellihub, Poolwerx has launched a national smart pool trial for its new, first-to-market Pooled Gen 2 Controller.
For existing franchise owners, managers, and aspiring entrepreneurs, this rollout is about much more than just a new gadget. It represents a fundamental shift in how home services operate, and why pool care is emerging as one of the most tech-enabled sectors in the market.
Moving from reactive service to proactive pool management
Historically, the pool industry has operated reactively. Poolwerx Global CEO Nic Brill notes, “homeowners typically seek help only once problems become visible - whether it’s green water, equipment failure, or rising running costs”.
The Pooled Gen 2 Controller is designed to shift that model entirely. As a retrofit smart device, it continuously monitors pool systems, automates core functions, and optimises energy and chemistry cycles in real time, including shifting pump operation into off-peak tariff periods.
The technology can flag issues such as:
- Pumps drawing lower-than-expected current before failure occurs
- Early chemistry imbalances before they require extensive corrective treatment
- Swim-readiness updates ahead of holidays, gatherings, or heatwaves
Through the same system, both homeowners and franchise partners can access live pool performance and energy data via a companion app, enabling more proactive servicing and remote oversight.
Helping franchise partners deliver real household savings
Franchise partners know that the easiest service to sell is one that puts money back into the client's pocket. Energy affordability remains a key concern for Australian households, even as recent regulatory changes from the Australian Energy Regulator’s Default Market Offer (DMO) point to some easing in electricity prices across parts of the country from 1 July.
In this environment, the Pooled Gen 2 Controller gives Poolwerx franchise partners a practical way to deliver immediate, tangible value to clients beyond traditional pool servicing.
The Pooled Gen 2 Controller is designed to reduce pool-related energy costs by up to 40 per cent by automating energy use and shifting pump activity into lower-cost periods. For participating households, this could translate to annual savings of approximately $500 to more than $1,000.
Importantly, the system operates automatically in the background without requiring meaningful behavioural change from clients, and pools continue functioning normally while energy optimisation occurs behind the scenes.
To support the rollout, selected homeowners across New South Wales, Queensland, and Victoria will receive a 12-month free subscription to the service, including hardware, installation, app access, and ongoing Poolwerx monitoring.
For franchise partners, the initiative creates another value-add service offering while helping position their businesses at the centre of the growing connected home and energy management market.
Why savvy business owners are diving in
As consumer expectations evolve, franchise networks that continue investing in innovation, technology, and smarter service delivery will be best positioned for long-term growth.
The opportunity within the pool maintenance sector alone is significant. Australia’s 1.6 million residential swimming pools collectively represent an estimated 3 gigawatts of energy demand, roughly equivalent to the output of a major power station, creating enormous potential for smarter energy management solutions.
The project has also received partial funding support from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), reflecting growing government support for distributed energy technologies that can deliver both consumer savings and broader grid benefits.
Mr Brill says, “continued investment in smart technology will help future-proof the industry. Smart pools are expected to become part of the broader connected home ecosystem alongside solar, batteries, EV chargers, and smart appliances. This creates new opportunities for franchise partners to deliver ongoing value beyond traditional servicing. At Poolwerx, we’re committed to delivering the healthiest pools possible through innovation and technology, while providing an exceptional client experience.”
For prospective franchise partners and entrepreneurs, the rollout highlights how modern franchise success is increasingly being shaped by technology-enabled services, recurring client relationships, and data-driven operations.
For Poolwerx, it reinforces a broader vision for the future of pool care, and signals that long-term growth in franchising will favour networks combining strong operational fundamentals with technology-led innovation.
