WordPress Multisite for regional NZ franchises: when it fits
Short answer: Multisite suits franchises that share code and occasional users—but not independent brands that need separate billing and risk isolation.
NZ regional groups should decide who updates plugins and what happens if one franchise installs something risky.
When multisite fits
- Tightly governed brands with similar templates.
- Central IT willing to own updates.
When separate installs fit
Franchisees who want plugin freedom, different ecommerce stacks, or future sale of individual territories.
Operational note
Backups and restores are multisite-wide—understand blast radius.
Frequently asked questions
Can franchises have different domains?
Yes—domain mapping adds complexity; plan DNS and SSL carefully.
Is SEO harder on multisite?
Not automatically—but cross-site linking and duplicate content need governance.