GSB Smart Franchise 2022–2025: Four Years Running Thailand's Government Savings Bank Franchise Program
By the Gnosis Advisory team (Gnosis Company Limited) · Updated 8 November 2026 · ฉบับภาษาไทย
Summary: From 2022 to 2025, Gnosis Company Limited (Gnosis Advisory), a Bangkok franchise consultancy, was engaged by Thailand's Government Savings Bank (GSB) to co-design and run the courses of the GSB Smart Franchise program for four consecutive years. From the program records:
- 5,000+ applicants to the Jump Start Franchise foundation course over four years
- 216 franchise businesses completed the GSB Franchise Standard course
- 40 businesses (10 a year) received one-to-one advisory from Gnosis before pitching for the Selected GSB Smart Franchise awards
four cohorts
applicants
in Franchise Standard
one-to-one and awarded
Sources: application forms and pre-tests for each year, and the project reports Gnosis submitted to the bank. Jump Start Franchise figures are registrations (2024 counts de-duplicated pre-test takers).
What is GSB Smart Franchise?
GSB Smart Franchise is a program of the Government Savings Bank (SMEs Start-up Development Department) that helps Thai SMEs grow through franchising to a recognised standard and improves their access to finance. Each year has three stages:
- Jump Start Franchise: a foundation course for people who want to buy a franchise or turn their own business into one
- GSB Franchise Standard: a workshop course of at least 24 hours for franchisors operating for at least one year with franchise outlets
- Selected GSB Smart Franchise: 10 businesses from Franchise Standard receive one-to-one advisory, then pitch their franchise plans to a judging panel
What did Gnosis do in the program?
Gnosis was the bank's contractor for running the courses. The project was led by Sethaphong Phadungpisuth (CEO) and Kaewta Phadungpisuth (Director), with media partner TorPenguin handling filming, the online classroom and publicity. Gnosis's work covered the full cycle:
- Course design and lesson plans, submitted to the bank for approval before each year's training
- Applicant screening against the bank's criteria; in 2022, for example, 90 businesses applied to Franchise Standard and 55 qualified
- Speakers and franchise practitioners, including executives from Café Amazon, The Minor Food Group, Central Restaurants Group, ZEN Group and the law firm Tilleke & Gibbins
- Online, on-site and hybrid delivery, with a Mini Expo where franchisors met prospective investors
- Measurement with pre- and post-tests, satisfaction surveys and certificates
- One-to-one advisory for the 10 selected businesses each year on business plans, fee structures and franchisee support before Pitching Day
- Judging criteria and panel, Pitching Day and the award ceremony
- E-catalogue and publicity for participating brands, and project reports to the bank
Results by year, 2022–2025
| Year | Jump Start Franchise | GSB Franchise Standard | Selected GSB Smart Franchise |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Online, 2 days · 1,600+ applicants | Online, 4 days · 55 businesses | Winner: T-za (ชาปากยูน) |
| 2023 | Online · 1,300+ applicants | 1 day online + 3 days on-site · 56 businesses | Winner: MARU WAFFLE |
| 2024 | Online, 2 days · 1,300+ applicants | 3 days on-site + Showcase day · 53 businesses | Winner: Chammai Boat Noodles (ชามไม้ก๋วยเตี๋ยวเรือ) |
| 2025 | Hybrid, 1 day + Mini Expo · 891 applicants | On-site + Showcase day · 52 businesses | 10 category awards |
2022: the first cohort, built online
Online55 businesses
The first year ran fully online after COVID-19. Jump Start Franchise drew more than 1,600 applicants. GSB Franchise Standard ran on Zoom over four days (25–26 June and 2–3 July 2022) for 55 qualified businesses out of 90 applicants. Ten were selected for one-to-one advisory, pitched on 21 September 2022 and received their awards at GSB head office on 4 October 2022.
Awards: Winner T-za (ชาปากยูน) · 1st runner-up Lumtae Korean Chicken · 2nd runner-up อ้วนนะ หมูกรอบชาชู · plus seven honourable mentions.
2023: on-site training and a wider speaker network
Hybrid56 businesses
Jump Start Franchise drew more than 1,300 applicants. GSB Franchise Standard moved to one online day (29 July 2023) and three on-site days (6–8 August 2023), 24 hours in total, with 10 speakers including executives from Café Amazon, The Pizza Company, Central Restaurants Group, ZEN Group and Tilleke & Gibbins. Results were announced on 18 October 2023.
Awards: Winner MARU WAFFLE · 1st runner-up Math Talent by Dr. Ying · 2nd runner-up ไจแอ้น ลูกชิ้นระเบิด · 3rd runner-up (top 10): Fantuan Thailand, Hako Softcream, kiki Cheesecake, Kungfu Bun, O-li-no Crepe & Tea, ฉวนล่าหม้อไฟ and เตี๋ยวตุ๋นบ้านสวน.
2024: deeper advisory, at the brands' own outlets
Online + on-site53 businesses
Jump Start Franchise ran on Zoom on 27–28 April 2024 (12 hours), with 1,379 pre-test takers and up to 649 people online at once. GSB Franchise Standard 2024 ran on-site on 3–4 and 15 August 2024 at Siam@Siam Design Hotel for 53 businesses. Gnosis visited the 10 selected brands at their outlets and offices before Pitching Day on 8 October 2024.
Awards: Winner Chammai Boat Noodles (ชามไม้ก๋วยเตี๋ยวเรือ) · 1st runner-up FRESH ME · 2nd runner-up English Corner · honourable mentions GINGER FARM Kitchen, Nigiwai Sushi, TORO FRIES, ไส้กรอกแม่ไก่, Samurai Ramen, Manoi bubble tea and The Waffle.
2025: Mini Expo, ESG and 10 category awards
Hybrid + Mini Expo52 businesses
Jump Start Franchise ran as a hybrid event on 30 April 2025 at Century Park Hotel and on Zoom, with 891 applicants and a Mini Expo of franchise booths. GSB Franchise Standard 2025 had 52 businesses and focused on standards, sustainability through ESG and overseas expansion. Gnosis advised the 10 selected businesses in October 2025, before the award ceremony on 22 October 2025 at GSB head office.
This year the bank replaced rankings with 10 awards, one for each brand's strength:
- Best Franchisee Support: PASH Juices
- Best Emerging Franchise: Heng Pang Pua (เฮง ปัง ปั๊ว)
- Most Promising Franchise: DOU’ 荳
- Franchise-Ready Business: Hou Cai Lei
- Most Innovative Franchise: Quickwash
- Best Franchise System: Sukishi Korean Charcoal Grill
- Best Community Impact Franchise: Jong Chong Dee Yala tea (จงชงดี)
- Best Franchise Operations: La Meow
- Best Customer Experience Franchise: Moom Gapao
- Best Franchise Brand Development: Mae Pra Nam (แม่ประณาม)
The five judges were two senior executives of Government Savings Bank and executives from ZEN Corporation Group, Peninsular Associates and Central Restaurants Group.
What the businesses did next
For many brands the program did not end with a certificate. Verifiable examples:
- Math Talent by Dr. Ying (1st runner-up 2023) had 2 own branches and 19 franchise branches when it joined, and planned to expand overseas
- MARU WAFFLE (winner 2023) received advisory to prepare for overseas expansion
- Moom Gapao: Gnosis has advised on franchise marketing since 2024, co-hosted two franchise Open House events in 2025, and a franchisee opened at One Bangkok on 15 May 2026 (read the story, in Thai)
- TORO FRIES (honourable mention 2024): Gnosis matched a multi-unit franchisee for overseas expansion in 2025 (see our success cases)
At program level, Government Savings Bank stated in its press release of 22 October 2025 that over four years GSB Smart Franchise trained more than 6,000 entrepreneurs, supported access to more than THB 500 million in credit, and led to more than 3,000 business outlets nationwide. These are the bank's program figures; Gnosis ran the courses.
Five judging criteria you can use to test your franchise
The Selected GSB Smart Franchise 2024 criteria are the same questions investors and banks ask a franchisor:
- Business performance: is the business really profitable, with pilot-outlet numbers to prove it?
- Product and service distinctiveness: why do customers choose you, and how hard is it to copy?
- Franchise package and investment value: do the fees and investment let a franchisee pay back in a reasonable time?
- Franchisee support system: are manuals, training and post-opening support in place?
- Fit with the bank's policy: jobs, livelihoods and sustainable growth
Photo gallery: Gnosis in the GSB Smart Franchise program
Videos from the program (in Thai)
GSB Smart Franchise 2022, run by Gnosis2022
GSB Franchise Standard 20232023
Meet the 10 Selected GSB Smart Franchise 20242024
GSB Smart Franchise 2024 results2024
The 10 awards of GSB Smart Franchise 20252025 · Short
MARU WAFFLE on the programWinner 2023
More client videos: Client Testimonials and YouTube @GnosisTH.
Frequently asked questions
What is GSB Smart Franchise?
A program of Thailand's Government Savings Bank that helps Thai SMEs grow through franchising. It has a foundation course (Jump Start Franchise), a standards course (GSB Franchise Standard) and the Selected GSB Smart Franchise stage, where 10 businesses receive one-to-one advisory and pitch for awards.
Who ran the GSB Smart Franchise courses in 2022–2025?
Gnosis Company Limited (Gnosis Advisory), a Bangkok franchise consultancy, co-designed and ran the courses for Government Savings Bank for four cohorts from 2022 to 2025, led by Sethaphong Phadungpisuth and Kaewta Phadungpisuth.
How many people took part over four years?
Jump Start Franchise had more than 5,000 applicants; 216 franchise businesses completed GSB Franchise Standard (55, 56, 53 and 52 by year); and 40 businesses received one-to-one advisory and Selected GSB Smart Franchise awards. Government Savings Bank reports that the program trained more than 6,000 entrepreneurs.
Who won Selected GSB Smart Franchise each year?
2022: T-za. 2023: MARU WAFFLE. 2024: Chammai Boat Noodles. In 2025 the bank gave 10 category awards, including PASH Juices, Sukishi Korean Charcoal Grill, Quickwash and Moom Gapao.
Can I get franchise advice from Gnosis outside the program?
Yes. Gnosis advises businesses on franchising, starting with a check of financial and operational readiness before expansion. Contact contact@Gnosisadvisory.com, LINE @YGG2347G or +66 96 979 6451.
Related
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