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...

Maxi’s Mokopane honours their employees Happy employees tend to be more productive, which at the end of the day, has a robust effect on the bottom line of any business. Research has shown that there is a significantly strong relationship between employee satisfaction and company success. Adri and Johan Potgieter, the proud owners of Maxi’s Mokopane, prove year in and year out that acknowledging your employees' hard work can go a long way for your business.  For the past few years, the Maxi’s Mokopane store has won numerous awards at the franchisor's annual awards. Not only have they walked away as regional winners, but they have for the last three years been awarded with the prestigious prize of being the overall winners of the best Maxi’s in the country.  According to the Potgieter family, their success not only comes from the way in which they handle their business but rather in the way in which they treat their employees. Their plan from the get go has always been t...

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...

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...

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 White River Supports Women Empowerment New research recently revealed by Royal Mail looks set to dispel the myth that men don’t experience the same range of feelings as women. The company’s commissioned scientific experiment found that men are more emotional than women. However, general perceptions and stereotypical roles for males and females still see women as ‘taking care’ and men as ‘taking charge’. Women are perceived to radiate an aura that automatically makes others feel more comfortable and at ease when around them or in their presence. Women have a way of making others feel obliged to be nice and kind, which makes them ideal candidates for the consumer service industry such as food franchising.  Maxi’s White River has capitalised on this notion and boasts a staff compliment of twelve female waitresses and two male waiters. Bernice Lourens the proud owner of this franchise shares her business rationale. “When I first started this business I had no idea that ...

Maxi’s Mokopane, the best restaurant in SA When it comes to commitment, the family favourite, Maxi’s has been known for its dedication to providing the highest quality meals and the best customer satisfaction in town. The chain of nationwide food franchises understands that in order for Maxi’s to be top of the consumer’s mind that its franchisee also needs to be top of the franchisor’s mind. “We understand that the best way for a brand to get what they want and need from their outlets is to give them something to look forward to. For this reason, the Maxi’s brand rewards franchisees for outstanding and exceptional performance. Our franchisees in turn also understand that in order for them to reap the rewards, they have to work hard for it!” says Yolandi Ferreira, marketing manager of Maxi’s. Maxi’s “High 5 Success” campaign ran over a period of ten months, and challenged each franchisee and their teams to deliver the best operational and customer service results....

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...