Franchisor plans to grow emerging entrepreneurs
March 16, 2007
By PRINCE MOENG
Cape Town - The Franchise Association of SA (Fasa) yesterday launched an emerging franchisor initiative for prospective franchisees and small business owners, said chairman Kobus Oosthuizen.
Oosthuizen said Fasa held a Cape Business and Franchise Opportunities show for entrepreneurs who had developed a franchise or business concept that they wished to offer to prospective franchisees and small business owners.
The educational aspect of such shows underscored the commitment of the organisation to encouraging as many people as possible to consider the option of self employment, said Oosthuizen.
The emerging franchisor initiative would result in financial resources and mentoring facilities being committed by Fasa and stakeholders such as financial institutions and government agencies.
The programme would offer assessments of possible candidates who had a viable business concept, funding, legal advice and ongoing mentoring.
The programme would include monitoring for a period of two years, said Oosthuizen.
"Although Fasa has 470 franchise systems, with 25 870 franchised outlets providing jobs to about 375 000 people, there is room for many more franchise systems to be developed."
Brenda Macqueen, the outgoing chairman of Fasa, said a show such as the Cape Business and Franchise Opportunities gave people from all walks of life the opportunity to interact with franchisors and companies offering business opportunities on a one-on-one basis.
Louis Nhlapo, the specialist franchise at the Small Enterprise Development Agency, said the show offered an opportunity for the agency to reach a wide audience and provide aspiring and start-up entrepreneurs with business information, advice and education about franchise opportunities and funding facilities.
Giuli Osso, the public relations consultant for the show, said about 58 companies, most of which were established, attended the show.
The focus was on the small business and start-up entrepreneurs to come up with innovative business ideas in the light of the impending 2010 Fifa soccer World Cup, she said.
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