20 reasons to buy a Sandwich Baron franchise

As the brand celebrates its 20th anniversary, Sandwich Baron founder and CEO Sally J’Arlette-Joy offers 20 reasons why potential franchisees should consider buying a Sandwich Baron franchise and join in the phenomenal growth of South Africa’s fastest growing sandwich business.

1. Globally, and in South Africa, sandwich shops are a growing industry with a sustainable profit outlook.
2. The sandwich shop industry has enjoyed steady global growth in each of the last five years, largely supported by robust demand for healthy meal options and fresh ingredients, according to a recent IBISWorld report, a global business intelligence leader specialising in industry market research.
3. The sandwich shop industry world-wide is dominated by franchises.
4. Sandwich Baron stores often sustain a higher gross revenue per store than competing independent sandwich stores, given higher brand recognition and prime locations.
5. Research indicates that almost 80% of self-start business ventures fail. This is typically for lack of the sorts of safety nets Sandwich Baron offers: brand success; access to financing; proven operational methods; access to an established supply chain; and proven product development.
6. Franchisees benefit from Sandwich Baron’s national and local marketing structure and subsequent brand awareness.
7. Franchises offer the independence of small business ownership supported by the benefits of a big business network.
8. You benefit from economies of scale derived through group purchasing.
9. Location: Sandwich Baron’s proven store location guidelines ensure outlets boasts high levels of foot traffic near business districts to attract lunchtime trade.
10. Sandwich Baron franchise stores enjoy a competitive edge over independents due to shorter trading hours. As a sandwich business that mostly caters for breakfasts and lunches, or corporate platters prepared during the day for evening events, franchisees benefit from shorter operating hours.
11.  A Sandwich Baron franchise enables you, even if you’re an experienced entrepreneur in your own right, to focus on growing your business rather than reinventing systems.
12. You’re buying a proven system allowing you to focus on the customer experience and expectations.
13. You’re not on your own: you have a proven infrastructure around you.
14. Maybe you could succeed on your own but given the high level of start-up failures (see above), having the support of Sandwich Baron creates confidence and the near certainty of succeeding.
15. Sandwich Baron does the ‘thinking’ for you – you just implement it.
16. Brand vision, product development and marketing are all handled!
17. Support comes not just from Sandwich Baron but from your fellow franchisees.
18. Despite the recession and storefronts going empty, sandwich franchises have kept expanding without inflating budgets.
19. If you are an entrepreneur looking to work in the business world for the first time, buying a sandwich franchise is one of the most affordable and profitable ways to get your foot in the market, while investors are also more willing to back up a franchise because of the tried and tested franchise business model which reduces the risk.
20. You should find it easier to secure finance for a franchise. It may cost less to buy a franchise than start your own business of the same type.

If the above has stimulated your appetite to join the Sandwich Baron franchise family, then finally ask yourself the following questions to establish of you are suited to the food industry:

a. Am I willing to work long hours?
b. Am I a hands-on operator?
c. Am I prepared to protect the brand?
d. Am I willing to go the extra mile in what is a service industry?
e. Am I willing to learn (believing one knows best is the surest route to failure)?
f. Am I a people person?
g. Am I proactive?
h. Do I understand the importance of group operational standards?
i. Am I prepared to be personally involved in the store level so as to drive profitability?
j. Do I have the prerequisite finances?

The Sandwich Baron franchise chain has grown from one to 50 stores in two decades, with stores in Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Northern West, Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.  “If you can relate to our ethos, have a passion to achieve beyond your comfort zone and really desire to own a business with a proven recipe for financial success, then Sandwich Baron may be just the company for you,” concludes Sally.