The Fish & Chip Co.’s rapid impact on the fast food franchising industry in South Africa could result in considerable growth in the near future. The company is set to continue to expand at an increasing rate with one new store opening every third day, on average. The company’s intent to expand is supported by its impressive franchisee support since commencing business in 2009. Since its inception, over 300 outlets have been established countrywide. In 2012 alone, an impressive 120 stores were opened. The establishment of these stores have also provided for some great advances in alleviating unemployment as it is estimated that about 3,300 employment opportunities have been created to date, with approximately 250 individual franchisees operating The Fish & Chip Co.’s stores. The Fish & Chip Co.’s Managing Executive, Marcel Strauss, notes that Taste Holding’s decision to purchase the company in November 2011 was based on the sound business proposition that the acquisitio...

For any company operating in any industry, it is critical to adapt to trends related to the market space they operate in. Sally J’Arlette-Joy, founder and CEO of the highly successful Sandwich Baron franchise, elaborates on why it is so important for food franchises to adapt to trends within the franchising market. A company’s ability to accurately identify emerging market trends that have an impact on its success, and adapt its branding and marketing model accordingly, will ultimately determine if it only thrives in the short term or invigorates a longer term impact amongst its stakeholders. Similarly, the food franchising industry is one which is constantly evolving, and it is therefore vital that companies stay abreast of trends within this market in order to maintain a strong brand presence, and capitalise fully on market opportunities. Trends in the food industry tend to primarily relate to developing food concepts to increase short or long term profit. This would include i...

Know the rules and play to win By Carl Bates Your favourite team has just come back onto the field after half time. All you feel is dread. They look tired and downcast, their communication is poor and they are just all over the place. Their opponents, on the other hand, look excited and energised; they are smiling yet incredibly focused. What is the difference? The opponents are playing to win as a team and are having fun in doing so. Being in business is just like a sports game. When you and your team are focused and clear on what you need to do, anything is possible. While you may lose a match, there is always the bigger championship at play. In my book, The Laws of Extreme Business Success, I explore the similarity between business and sport in the Law of Business as a Game through three key elements. The first element is having a winner’s mentality. This means that you are confident about your ability to succeed and are motivated to push that little bit further every day...

How do you benefit if your franchised real estate agent is a member of the Franchise Association of South Africa? By Jan Davel Some franchisors include ‘accreditation’ and ‘award’ symbols in their advertising material, relying on the consumers’ and prospective franchisees’ lack of knowledge with regard to the significance or importance of such symbols. Some of these commonly used symbols offer no benefit to consumers and often its relevance to the franchisor’s industry is dubious. Whether intentional or otherwise, the use of such symbols may also be misleading. It pays for prospective franchisees to be informed about the value such ‘accreditation’ and ‘award’ symbols actually afford a franchisor. In other words, don’t take everything at face value and be sure about the accreditations your future business partner actually enjoys. Take the real estate industry as an example. With the transformation of this highly lucrative, but potentially risky industry into a highly regulated ...

What you need to know about compiling an effective Operations Manual before embarking on your franchise expansion plan. By Lindy Barbour In our previous article we discussed the importance of a proven pilot and the franchise package elements as the key ingredients in the franchise expansion plan. In fact, the franchise package elements are critical to the franchisor’s ability to establish and maintain a successful and prosperous relationship with his franchisees. The franchise package should include the following: • An Operations Manual; • Legal Agreements – The Franchise Agreement; • The Disclosure Document; and • The Franchise Prospectus and Recruitment and Selection Programme. Over the next several issues we will be addressing the elements of the franchise package individually and we start off by taking a look at the Operations Manual. As franchise consultants we are often contacted by prospective franchisors labouring under the impression that they only require a ...