New franchise strategies and growing earnings drive SA franchisors into Africa Philip Myburgh Times may be tough locally, but that has only encouraged South African franchisors to look beyond the country’s borders and take a long-term view on introducing integrated strategies for the growth of their brands across the continent. “The stage for expansion of franchise operations in Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries and beyond has shifted as franchisors have gained experience in African markets,” says Philip Myburgh , Head of Franchising Africa at Standard Bank . “Interestingly, we are seeing progressively more food retailers and quick-service restaurants eagerly trying to form business partnerships with the fuel service industry. While the concept has already taken off in South Africa, with limited maturity in neighbouring countries like Namibia, it is still at infancy stage in the rest of the continent, which presents an opportunity for more partnerships. ...