#SAFranchiseFriday featuring KwikFit

BACKGROUND
KwikFit offers tyre retail, fitment and vehicle servicing and boasts over 1,000 stores in the UK alone. In South Africa most of the 33 KwikFit outlets are owner-operated, ensuring unmatched service for South African vehicle owners. Recognising the necessity of adapting to a change in consumer habits, KwikFit has revisited their business strategy

and completed a rebranding exercise to revive their corporate and public image.
KwikFit has created a world first by offering all the services required by vehicle owners under one roof. While not moving away from the traditional fitment centre concept entirely, they have redesigned their product offering and overhauled their look and feel. By relocating some of their auto care centres to mall parking areas and allowing customers to take advantage of the longer trading hours, they have created a more pleasurable and convenient customer experience. To date, four mall outlets — Killarney Mall and Bedford Centre in Johannesburg and the V&A Waterfront and Cavendish Square in Cape Town — have opened with great success.

THE CONCEPT
KwikFit offers franchisees a choice of two business models defined as KwikFit at the Mall and KwikFit on Main. All new KwikFit centres share a common aesthetic that adheres to a predetermined stylistic template — a look that is clean, contemporary and clutter free. Breaking away from the industrial workshop appearance, KwikFit centres are designed to be more inviting and accessible — similar to typical retail outlets.

KwikFit Auto Centres offer vehicle and tyre services, dent and scratch removal, and a car wash facility as well as full service options for all makes of vehicles. KwikFit is a comprehensive car care service provider that believes in providing a convenient and efficient service to all customers and vehicle types, making it your number one car GP.

The KwikFit target market comprises anyone between 18 and 80 in possession of a vehicle.
The staffing structure of a typical outlet will consist of a branch manager, two assistant managers, one branch administrator/receptionist, four technicians (for tyres, dent and scratch, and mechanical services), two to four salesmen/drivers, and eight car wash staff.

FRANCHISOR SUPPORT
The franchisor assists franchisees by helping to identify a suitable location, negotiating the lease agreement, arranging finance, conducting a feasibility study and compiling a business plan, planning the store layout, providing staff training, and implementing the back office and point-of-sale (POS) system.

FRANCHISEE PROFILE
If you are a highly motivated entrepreneur who is passionate about cars, people and service, KwikFit would welcome your application. Applicants will benefit from prior sales and marketing and industry-related experience.

SNAPSHOT

HISTORY
Founder: Sir Thomas Farmer
Year founded: 1971
Area of origin: United Kingdom
CEO: Simon Koch

NETWORK
1st SA franchise opened: 1987
Number of SA outlets: 33

FRANCHISE AGREEMENT
Management fee: Available on request
Marketing fee: Available on request
Agreement term: 5 Years
Renewal term: 5 Years

FINANCIALS
* Amounts quoted are VAT exclusive
Establishment cost: R1,9 million
Franchise joining fee: R200 000
Working capital required: Available on request
Total average set-up cost: From R2,1 million
Average monthly turnover: Available on request
Achievable gross margins: Available on request

WANT TO KNOW MORE?
Contact Chris Barnes on +27 82 779 0336 or chrisb@kwikfit.co.za
www.kwikfit.co.za