Amcal is one of Australia’s most recognised community pharmacy brands, with a heritage that stretches back to 1937 and a long history of trusted local care.
Backed by Sigma Healthcare and now strengthened further by Sigma’s 2025 merger with Chemist Warehouse, Amcal sits inside the country’s largest pharmacy retail and distribution network.
For franchisees, that means the reassurance of a proven system, national scale, and a brand that Australians already know and actively seek out for everyday health, wellbeing, and advice.
Brand snapshot
Amcal pharmacies operate as genuine community anchors, blending professional pharmacy services with strong retail performance across prescription, front of shop, wellbeing, beauty, and everyday essentials.
The brand’s promise is simple, reliable health advice you can trust, in a welcoming, familiar environment.
With a broad nationwide footprint and ongoing conversions of My Chemist sites into Amcal branded stores, the network is building fresh momentum and visibility, creating a strong runway for franchise growth.
What makes Amcal compelling for franchisees
A trusted name that drives foot traffic
Amcal has been part of Australian life for decades.
That legacy translates into repeat customers, steady demand, and strong brand recall, especially among families, older Australians, and health conscious shoppers who value accessible professional guidance.
A pharmacy model built for modern retail
Amcal continues to evolve beyond traditional dispensing into a more complete health destination.
The focus is on combining pharmacy expertise with retail categories that attract daily visits, including skincare, wellness, preventative health, and seasonal services, helping franchisees grow multiple revenue streams under one roof.
Scale and security through Sigma
Franchisees benefit from the strength of Sigma’s wholesale, logistics, private label ranges, and national buying power.
Being part of a network that supplies thousands of pharmacies gives individual Amcal owners access to competitive product pricing, reliable inventory flow, and operational support that smaller independents cannot easily match.
Tailored support for independent owners
Amcal is designed for pharmacist owners who want to keep their independence while gaining the commercial advantages of a major brand.
The system supports local decision making, while providing structured marketing, merchandising, and operational frameworks that reduce risk and help stores perform consistently.
Investment overview
Amcal is a substantial, high calibre retail pharmacy opportunity.
The estimated establishment cost range sits between $155,130 and $399,210, depending on store size, location, and operational scope.
This estimate includes key start up components such as utilities, permits, equipment, POS systems, inventory, insurance, uniforms, consumables, telecommunications, and professional services.
Fit out and leasing costs are separate and depend heavily on the individual site.
Territory and growth potential
Amcal operates nationally across every state and territory, with significant community demand still available in many suburban, regional, and growth corridor markets.
The post merger Amcal expansion program is increasing the brand’s store count and marketing visibility, which supports stronger network awareness for all franchisees.
For owners who want to grow beyond a single store, the scale of the Amcal system makes multi site ownership a realistic long term pathway.
Ideal franchisee profile
Amcal is best suited to qualified pharmacists or pharmacy groups who want to:
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own a pharmacy with a recognised national brand behind them
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leverage stronger buying power and established supply chains
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modernise their retail and service offering with a proven system
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stay deeply connected to their local community while benefiting from national support
Experience in retail management is helpful, but Sigma’s operating system is built to provide structure and guidance for owners as they scale.
Support you can expect
Amcal franchisees typically gain access to:
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structured brand marketing and catalogue programs
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merchandising frameworks and retail category support
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national supplier agreements and logistics distribution
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private label and exclusive product ranges
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operational resources designed for community pharmacy performance
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broader Sigma network expertise and peer support
The result is a more secure ownership model with fewer unknowns and greater capability to compete in a rapidly changing pharmacy landscape.
Corporate contact details
Registered office and principal place of business:
Level 6, 2125 Dandenong Road, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia.
General customer service phone:
xxxxx.
Sigma Healthcare also provides a dedicated online enquiry pathway for prospective pharmacy partners. If you want franchise information, you would typically select “Franchise Opportunities” in their contact form to be directed to the right team.
A public, direct franchising email for Amcal is not clearly listed, so using the Sigma franchise enquiry channel and the main support line above is the most reliable contact route.
Why Amcal stands out right now
Amcal combines heritage, trust, and community connection with the growth engine of a newly expanded national powerhouse.
For pharmacists who want ownership with backing, and a brand that patients already respect, Amcal offers a compelling, low risk pathway into long term pharmacy business success.