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...

Engel & Völkers opens Market Centre in Dubai  The opening of its Market Centre (MC) in the Arab Emirate of Dubai marks the latest stage in the expansion of Engel & Völkers. It spans 850 square metres in a prime location close to the world-famous island project “Palm Jumeirah”. The MC accommodates 250 real estate agents and is dedicated to the brokerage of high-end real estate throughout Dubai’s entire metropolitan region. In addition to these central office premises, the MC concept also envisages the opening of at least two property lounges in strategic locations throughout the city, aimed at initiating contact with potential clients.  Dubai is the largest city by population in the United Arab Emirates. Known as a central axis linking the East and the West, it boasts one of the fastest growing property markets in the world. “The economy has been particularly strong for some time now. Prices have been stable at a high level since 2012. This is ideal for a real es...

Domino’s Pizza’s friendly service and quality food warmly welcomed by the friendly city Domino’s Pizza, one of the world’s best loved pizza brands, has arrived in Port Elizabeth and judging by the enthusiastic welcome received from local residents, this delicious hand-tossed pizza will soon become first choice among fast food connoisseurs.  The recent opening of three new stores in Linton Grange, Walker Drive and Newton Park was greeted with much excitement, with queues of people waiting to savour their first bite of a Domino’s Pizza. The celebrations included the delivery of a stack of scrumptious pizzas to the hard-working police officers of Linton Grange Police Station and delighting the Grade 4 learners at Laerskool Verkenner with the opportunity to make their own pizzas at the Linton Grange store.   "Domino’s Pizza hit the ground running in the South African market towards the end of last year with the opening of six stores and we enjoyed an excellent start to 2...

FRANCHISING SINGLED OUT IN MINISTER OF SMALL BUSINESS, LINDIWE ZULU’S RECENT SPEECH IN THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY Lindiwe Zulu After a year in office and in her address on the occasion of Budget Vote 31 in the National Assembly last week, Lindiwe Zulu of the Ministry of Small Business reiterated her mandate of leading and being the commanding voice for Small Business and Cooperatives within government. “Our hawkish eyes will search and grab every opportunity presenting itself in support of growth and sustainability of SMMEs and Cooperatives.” Minister Zulu singled out franchising as a catalyst for economic growth and job creation. “The department is determined to transform the franchising sector through various measures and one of them is to develop more franchisors from townships and rural communities. We have started a process of identifying and packaging successful and profitable businesses based in township and rural areas. Micro-franchising is still at its infancy stage in So...

Clarification upon clarification likely when it comes to the implementation of revised B-BBEE Codes Nhlanhla Sigasa Commenting on the recent clarification notices issued by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) relating to the now active revised B-BBEE codes, Nhlanhla Sigasa, Director at SizweNtsalubaGobodo believes that going forward even more clarification will be required. “The DTI in its clarification notice on 5 May 2015 (which was withdrawn and replaced by a clarification notice on 15 May 2015) indicated that organisations with a financial year ending on or before 30 April 2015 will be measured according to the old codes. While organisations with a financial-year ending on or after 1 May 2015 on the other hand, will be measured in terms of the amended codes.  This clarification is still noted as such in the clarification notice of 15 May 2015. “However what the DTI has failed to take into consideration here is the fact that the financial year-end and what is...