In recent years, franchises like Ed Harry, Factorie, Baskin and Robinson and Sumo Salad have all shut up shop leaving empty shopfronts dotted across the city's main street.

Loot Homewares is the most recent to close and former franchisee Sheila Reynolds is about to embark on an independent business venture, S&D Living, that will target the community's specific needs.

"It depends on what business you're in, but it's hard to survive being a franchise because online is very price competitive," Mrs Reynolds said.

"People need to support the locals for future job growth; we do a lot of custom made orders and these are something different that is not offered online."

Mrs Reynolds bought Loot from another owner in about 2006 and said while franchises are good for training, it is not financially viable.

"It was a good business and I was looking for a job and something to buy into and I made a lot of changes, but lately many franchises are dying and this was the same for Loot," she said.

"Being a franchisee was good because we had over 100 stores across the country, so we could exchange gift cards and stock, but you have to pay a big franchise fee before you open.

"Also all the sales go to the franchise head office. If you personally ask me, I did learn the business training through a franchise but I wouldn't go into a franchise again as it's not financially worth it."

Mrs Reynolds said rent is "killing" many franchises in Wagga who are already struggling. After six years, she brought the current location, just across the road, and said it was a challenge that was worth it.

The new store is expected to open in a couple of weeks at the same Baylis Street location, with many of the stock still being sourced from previous suppliers.

"We'll still have our coffee but we will have our own design and styling, that's nice and fresh ... I'm pretty excited and I can't wait to show Wagga people what is new," Mrs Reynolds said.

Local business expert Daniel Donebus said franchises are not dying but the model does not work for every market.

"Franchises don't have the worry of needing to establish processes or advertising costs, but others are finding that they are better placed to cater for their customers than a one-size-fits-all model for the whole country," Mr Donebus said.

"Franchises, in theory, involve taking a proven business model that works and makes money, and spreading it across the country under one set of rules.

"The downside or other side of the equation is whether that formulation works across all markets or in situations where the internet focus on business is growing.

"The difficulty they have on top of online businesses, is overhead costs, paying franchisers and having to fit in with a one size business model," he said.

However, Mr Donebus said the franchise model has proven to be a success with fast food chains, like McDonald's.

"I don't think it's a factor of franchises having their day, I think that certain types of businesses or industries are more susceptible to factors than others," he said.

"Food chains like McDonald's, still work, are profitable and show that established business models are still valid in regional and city areas.

"Where consumer demand can be specific, business owners in tune with customers might find a way they can address the needs of their customers without the needs of a franchiser."