No matter how challenging the economy, entrepreneurs will continue to look for exciting new opportunities and viable businesses to invest in. The franchising industry offers plenty of these, making up 13% of the GDP according to the Franchise Association of South Africa (FASA) . “The industry is still growing and entrepreneurs see the value in franchise opportunities,” says Jan De Beer, Managing Executive for Zebro’s Chicken , The Fish & Chip Co. and Maxi’s at Taste Holdings . If you are in the market for a successful franchise here are three important considerations: A.      Select the right business It may seem obvious but you need to do your research and also consider what the best fit is for you personally.  The franchise industry offers everything from van rentals and tool hire to clothing and restaurant opportunities so choices abound. The fast food and restaurant category makes up the biggest piece of the pie with 25% followed by ret...

BACKGROUND Maxi’s was founded to address the market need for a family restaurant franchise offering an extended, quality menu selection. In recent years an initiative was launched to reposition the Maxi’s brand as a unique, highly recognisable, fast-growing and decidedly competitive brand with a menu offering for everyone. Maxi’s is a member of the Taste Holdings Group and forms part of the Taste Food Division along with Zebro’s, The Fish & Chip Co, Domino’s Pizza and Starbucks. Taste Holdings is a South African-based management group with a portfolio of mostly franchised, category specialist and formula-driven, quick-service restaurants and retail brands. THE CONCEPT The Maxi’s business model offers franchisees a choice between a sit-down restaurant with full table service and a comprehensive breakfast, lunch and dinner menu, or a smaller takeaway option with limited seating and a menu offering more conducive to the takeaway market. The Maxi's menu incorporates a wid...

Yolandi Ferreira Point of Sale (POS) equipment is the computer-based order-entry technology many franchise restaurants use to capture orders, record data and display or print receipts. Having faulty POS systems, network connection errors or even a POS that does not allow for credit card purchases, can drive feet away from your store. Yolandi Ferreira, Marketing Manager at Maxi’s, urges franchise groups to have suitable payment facilities as well as contingency plans in place for these eventualities as this will ensure that franchisees can maintain feet in stores. The POS system acts as a payment processing register as well as a computer. In fact, the POS can consist of multiple stations, including back office, credit card terminals, receipt printers, display screens, hostess stations and server stations. Having a POS system in place can add convenience, accuracy and save time in busy situations. Not having one, or using an unproductive one, can see you lose customers. With PO...

Maxi’s actively cultivates an interactive space through social media platforms Digital communities using a variety of electronic devices have developed around brands that harness social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter. Yolandi Ferreira, Maxi’s marketing manager, says savvy South African franchisors have recognised just how valuable these communities can be to advance their brands and are actively engaging with them by creating an interactive space in which consumers can communicate both their good and not so positive experiences. Digital publishing has become a part of today’s retail world and restaurant franchisors like us have learnt very quickly to promote our brands on social media platforms to encourage consumers to try us out and to keep coming back. There’s a lot of material to draw from in order to present content that is always engaging. In addition to our menu and special offers, we talk about our Corporate Social Investment programmes, community events, m...

Avoid driver fatigue on the holiday routes this Easter With the long-awaited Easter holidays finally here, many South African families all over the country are about to set out on their road trips. This time of year is well known for being one of the busiest and most hazardous periods on the country’s main routes and Maxi’s marketing manager, Yolandi Ferreira encourages holiday makers to observe the basic safety precautions, and particularly, to avoid driver fatigue by making regular stops along the way. Driver fatigue is a serious problem with the potential to cause serious road accidents each year. Research has revealed that driver fatigue could be a contributing factor in up to 25% of road accidents. Unfortunately, these types of accidents are about 50% more likely to result in fatalities or serious injuries, because they tend to take place at high speed when a driver who has fallen asleep does not brake or swerve to avoid or reduce the impact of a collision. Even if the dri...

The menu must reflect changing consumer trends In the restaurant business, consumer trends are always changing and their tastes must be noted and accommodated. With culinary ‘revolutions’ such as the Banting and high protein diets becoming increasingly popular and the burgeoning financial middle class becoming more health conscious, more and more restaurants are reconsidering their offering to cater to their consumers’ health and lifestyle requirements. Maxi’s marketing manager, Yolandi Ferreira says this is impacting the way their restaurants traditionally offer meals. These days the distinction between breakfast, lunch and dinner is increasingly blurry, with consumers making meal choices off the menu based on what they actually feel like eating at that moment, rather than what traditional meal times dictate. Underpinning this trend in South Africa is a robust demand for grilled food throughout the day. For many South Africans grilled meat and chicken are the heart of any meal...

Customisation trend impacts QSR sector In a world where everyone wants to make their own personal mark, customisation is a burgeoning global trend. Personalised cars, cell phones, diets, calendars, gifts and jewellery are the order of the day, and not forgetting your Facebook page and those cola cans with your own name on them. Maxi’s marketing manager, Yolandi Ferreira says consumers today want to create their own unique products in order to enjoy a shopping experience that reflects their personalities and that this trend is also impacting the QSR (Quick Service Restaurant) sector. Our lifestyles are pressurised and amid the daily grind of earning a living, personal expression is a pleasant and desirable escape that confirms we are still individuals amid all the noise of daily life. Having an element of choice can make us feel empowered and affords a sense of control. Research has revealed that more than 70% of consumers are likely to become repeat customers if they believe the...

All I want for Christmas is a franchise Yolandi Ferreira For anyone who wants to become the master of their own destiny, purchasing a franchise presents the ideal escape route from corporate life.  And what better time to consider making a major life change than the end of one year and the beginning of a new one? Maxi’s Marketing Manager, Yolandi Ferreira, looks at what it takes to run a franchise and why Maxi’s is a wise and exciting option. If you’re dreaming of giving yourself a franchise for Christmas, there are few things you need to be mindful of.  Being a successful entrepreneur takes drive, determination and passion. The success of any entrepreneur hinges on recognising the right business opportunity and investing time, money and skills into turning a proven business concept a successful reality.  However, the franchise business model remains one of the safest ways of becoming a business owner as it is guided by tried and tested processes, underpinned b...

Maxi’s Mokopane spearheads community fundraiser for medical expenses Maxi’s is well known as a restaurant brand that really cares about its local communities. So when its Mokopane franchise owners, Johan and Adri Potgieter, heard about a local woman in need, they immediately set about raising funds through an innovative and effective initiative. Elmarie Kruger was diagnosed with colon cancer in February 2014 and doesn’t have medical aid. She is the only working family member, as her husband lost his job in 2009. He is also chronically ill and is only able to do part time work.  Although Elmarie’s family have arranged events to raise money to keep the family going, the medical costs are causing great financial difficulties. Maxi's Mokopane stepped into the gap three months ago to rally the locally community with a “Mokopane Cares” campaign that asked all its customers to add R2 to the total when they paid for their meals. “The Mokopane Cares campaign is just one of several ...

Restaurant trade gears up for a bumper month in December December is a critical month for the hospitality industry and restaurateurs need to be prepared to make it their most successful month of their calendar year.  In the current economic climate, boosted profits from festive season diners are often needed to provide a buffer in the notoriously quiet months of January and February. Maxi’s Marketing Manager Yolandi Ferreira takes a look at the preparations necessary to attract and properly entertain a bumper crowd at this time of the year. It’s all about good planning and preparation and this should take place months in advance. The most important objective is to attract and maintain customer loyalty in every other month of the year, so that when December comes around, your restaurant is a natural choice for customers to bring their clients, friends and families for an end of year feast. Remember that the holiday season is also a time when people are willing to try out new ...

Maxi’s 21st anniversary has been a year to remember Maxi’s 21st anniversary as one of South Africa’s most loved family food restaurants has been a year to remember and a real milestone on the journey to building a restaurant chain that not only delivers a first class food experience, but also offers meaningful career and investment opportunities and gives back to the community throughout the year. A fiercely contested internal competition saw Maxi’s Mokopane being awarded the Best Maxi’s Restaurant in South Africa award for the third year running, based on operational and customer service results. The judging process involved store assessments (including hygiene, front and back house operations, food quality and service); mystery shoppers who visited the restaurants and evaluated service and quality; waitron evaluations; management and advertising royalty; local store marketing; health inspections and training attendance. Maxi’s support of community charities reached an all-time...

Maxi’s 21st anniversary has been a year to remember Maxi’s 21st anniversary as one of South Africa’s most loved family food restaurants has been a year to remember and a real milestone on the journey to building a restaurant chain that not only delivers a first class food experience, but also offers meaningful career and investment opportunities and gives back to the community throughout the year. A fiercely contested internal competition saw Maxi’s Mokopane being awarded the Best Maxi’s Restaurant in South Africa award for the third year running, based on operational and customer service results. The judging process involved store assessments (including hygiene, front and back house operations, food quality and service); mystery shoppers who visited the restaurants and evaluated service and quality; waitron evaluations; management and advertising royalty; local store marketing; health inspections and training attendance. Maxi’s support of community charities reached an all-ti...

Customer relations is the recipe for success in franchising Yolandi Ferreira, Marketing Manager of Maxi’s, discusses and provides some useful tips on the importance of customer relations in the food franchising world. Franchising is becoming a bigger and better business option for many entrepreneurs as starting a franchise has fewer risks than starting up a business from scratch. However, this has also meant that there are more and more franchises out there offering the exact same product. Now, more than ever, a franchise needs to stand out from its competitors to attract the attention of customers. Improving customer relations is key to getting ahead. Why Are Customer Relationships Important?  Each customer that experiences a lack of service or even just an uninviting experience will take their business elsewhere, whereas satisfied customers have a direct impact on your bottom line, they will be back, they will tell their friends and family and they will form part of ...

Maxi’s takes a ride alongside the PinkDive When it comes to community involvement and upliftment, Maxi’s understands that the best way to show their appreciation to their loyal customers is to give back to those who need it most. Yolandi Ferreira, Marketing Manager of Maxi’s explains why the chain of nationwide family restaurants focuses on their Corporate Social Investment (CSI) initiatives and giving back campaigns.  One of Maxi’s CSI initiatives is the ‘Fan of the Month’ competition, where one lucky Facebook follower can select the charitable organisation that the brand will support that month. To win this honour, customers simply need to interact with the Maxi’s Facebook page on a daily basis and the person who engages with the brand the most, will have the privilege of selecting the organisation in need of some meals, treats and kindness.  In addition to their monthly CSI drives, Maxi’s has also partnered with Sir Juice to raise awareness of breast cancer during ...

Maxi’s gives a helping hand to the Door of Hope In 2013 Maxi’s started a Facebook campaign to show their loyal customers that they care by giving back to the local communities in which they operate. The monthly campaign encourages their Facebook fans to interact with Maxi’s and the person who engages the most, is named the “fan of the month” and gets to choose a charity of their choice who will receive support from Maxi's.  Justine Burden, from Polokwane, was chosen as the Maxi’s Facebook fan for the month of May. Burden chose to help the Door of Hope organisation and with Maxi’s help, they arranged a surprise visit to the head office in Glenvista, Johannesburg with bags full of needed goodies.  The Door of Hope seeks to help in meeting the needs of abandoned, abused and orphaned children in South Africa, by providing loving and stable Christian environments, so that they may grow up to be people that have a positive effect in South Africa and the world. In cooperatio...

Maxi’s heating up Forest Hill community Food lovers in Forest Hills are celebrating the fact that Maxi’s will soon be opening up in Forrest Hill City Mall.  There are people who live for the challenge of setting goals and working tirelessly to meet them. Phuti Ntlhane is that kind of person. The ambitious Centurion entrepreneur has set himself the task of opening five new restaurants in five years. Ntlhane has always been loyal to the brand and wondered what it would be like to own his own Maxi’s franchise. The thrill of a new challenge and his entrepreneurial spirit was what eventually drove this young man to become his own boss. “I am a person for new things, I love things that challenge me mentally and physically and for me, opening a Maxi’s Forest Hill was the best decision that I could have made to date.” Having recently completed his LLB Degree, Ntlhane knows all there is to know about long hours, hard work and dedication. He believes that the key to running a succes...

Why franchising is a viable business opportunity Bronwyn Oliveira Being a successful entrepreneur takes drive, determination and passion for what you do. The success of an entrepreneur all boils down to recognising the right opportunities and of course, investing time, money and skills into making a proven business concept a successful reality.  The concept of franchising is not a new one, and many entrepreneurs have been able to achieve great success, as this business model remains one of the safest ways of becoming a business owner due to tried and tested recipes for business success. Owning a franchise can be a viable business investment opportunity, if it is supported by an enthusiastic head office team, a proven franchise dynasty, and a loyal consumers following that will support you along the way. But what does it take to be a successful franchisee? Bronwyn Oliveira, brand manager of Maxi’s, discusses that makes the franchisor of a nationwide chain of family restau...

Why franchising is a viable business opportunity Being a successful entrepreneur takes drive, determination and passion for what you do. The success of an entrepreneur all boils down to recognising the right opportunities and of course, investing time, money and skills into making a proven business concept a successful reality.  The concept of franchising is not a new one, and many entrepreneurs have been able to achieve great success, as this business model remains one of the safest ways of becoming a business owner due to tried and tested recipes for business success. Owning a franchise can be a viable business investment opportunity, if it is supported by an enthusiastic head office team, a proven franchise dynasty, and a loyal consumers following that will support you along the way. But what does it take to be a successful franchisee? Bronwyn Oliveira, brand manager of Maxi’s, discusses that makes the franchisor of a nationwide chain of family restaurants so successful...

Successful franchise brand shares tips on how to succeed in the industry  Bronwyn Oliveira Profitable franchisees have several things in common such as leadership skills, reliability, people and skills.  Bronwyn Oliveira, brand manager of Maxi’s, the franchisor of a nationwide chain of family restaurants, shares some insights on how to makes a success of your restaurant franchise.   Have you got a positive attitude to life and business? Are you the kind of person who is focused and motivated? Can you work hard and demonstrate to those under you that hard work can achieve positive results? If so, then franchising is possibly for you.  In order for your franchised store to succeed, it solely depends on you! Although most franchises have a business model that is in place, it does not mean that you are guaranteed success, the only thing that guarantees you success is attitude.  The following traits are those of a successful franchisee:  1. Leader...