Category: FASA News

Pick n Pay is the first big supermarket chain in South Africa to launch ‘in-store vertical farms’ to show customers a sustainable and locally-grown modern farming solution. The vertical farms will grow various lettuce leaves and herbs from seeds, right in Pick n Pay’s fresh produce section. This farming method display in-store is a growing trend globally with supermarkets in Europe and US, such as Marks & Spencer (M&S) and Whole Foods Market, introducing grown in-store leaf. Flagship stores Pick n Pay On Nicol in Sandton and Pick n Pay Constantia in Cape Town are the first stores to pilot …

Until the pandemic struck at the beginning of 2020, the Automotive Sector was set to be the one business area that would be impacted the most by the 4th Industrial Revolution and be at the forefront of the new technological age. Key speakers at FASA‘s conference in 2021 in the Automotive sector slot expanded on trends and innovations in the aftermarket motor industry. Little did they know that the economic fall-out from Covid-19 was just the tip of the iceberg and that more curveballs were on the way in the form of devastating floods and the war in Ukraine would …

There is no question that the pandemic has had an enormous impact not only on the economy but on the well-being of everyone and specifically on the mental health and growth of our children. According to a McKinsey & Co Education survey, education worldwide is in crisis. Interrupted schooling has shown that learners have fallen behind both academically, intellectually and emotionally – in some countries as much as one school year behind – with 35% of parents extremely concerned about their child’s mental health.   FASA Franchise Association South AfricaTo protect, lobby, promote and develop ethical franchising across all sectors in …

ProVeg South Africa (ProVeg SA) recently released the country’s first Plant-Based Friendly Fast-Food Franchise Ranking, assessing the plant-based offerings available at South Africa’s top fast-food franchise restaurants for the period ending February of 2022 and ranked them accordingly. FASA Franchise Association South AfricaTo protect, lobby, promote and develop ethical franchising across all sectors in South Africa with specific focus on transformation. www.fasa.co.za …

The very nature of franchising, with its public persona and duplication method ensures that franchisees are well trained on the importance of good communications within the network, and of good ethical business practices. But to fully succeed, the franchise relationships between franchisor and franchisee needs to be a two-way street that leads to a win-win scenario. An open communication channel between the franchisor and franchisee on all levels is crucial to the success of the franchise, as is the relationships with suppliers and customers. As franchising is all about building a brand, teamwork on all levels is crucial and must …

Franchising is just one of many methods of “distribution” and many prospective business owners often don’t understand or are misled into buying a business which is clearly not a franchise business or don’t quite understand the implications of investing in a franchise. Franchising, therefore, is FASA Franchise Association South AfricaTo protect, lobby, promote and develop ethical franchising across all sectors in South Africa with specific focus on transformation. www.fasa.co.za …

Cash Converters Joins FASA The Franchise Association South Africa (FASA) announced the appointment of its newest member to the board of directors, Richard Mukheibir, CEO and co-founder of Cash Converters Southern Africa. Mukheibir will contribute towards the strategic and key role that FASA holds within the franchise industry, and more broadly, franchising as part of the country’s economy. Cash ConvertersAs Group Marketing Manager of Cash Converters Southern Africa, Nicole Thomson owns and implements the marketing media and advertising activity for the Franchise Group. Nicole is responsible for the accurate, within budget, planning and implementation of finances across the Cash Converters …

FASA held its 43rd Annual General Meeting at the end of February to elect its new board of directors for 2022/2023. In its forty-three year existence the association, which was started by those early franchise companies that were setting up ground-breaking franchise concepts at the time, has continued to deliver on the mandate granted by its members and has, over the years grown the franchise sector to become an important part of South Africa’s economy, contributing almost 14% to the country’s GDP. FASA Franchise Association South AfricaTo protect, lobby, promote and develop ethical franchising across all sectors in South Africa …

It is very encouraging that we haven’t succumbed to the menace and challenges the global Covid-19 pandemic has created over the past two years. Many sectors, especially those in hospitality were negatively impacted by the continued lockdowns and the alcohol bans, while other sectors providing essential services produced double digit growth. FASA weighed in on the attributes of franchising being able to adapt and innovate, and as with franchising all over the world, reflected the narrative of successful franchisors supporting franchisees and customers by pivoting their business models to better suit the changing marketplace. Pertunia SibanyoniPertunia Sibanyoni, CEO of InspectaCar, …

The devastating effects of the pandemic have taken its toll not just on the businesses most affected but in terms of the many people in the industry who were personally affected. The Covid-19 pandemic has rendered normal and usual trading for businesses “unusual” as processes and supply chains were abruptly interrupted. The Franchise Industry, due to its resilient franchise business model, survived the onslaught brought by the pandemic even though some sectors like retail, restaurants (fast foods) and beauty and health were battered. The pandemic brought with it massive economic challenges to the already crumbling economy in that: The number …

At FASA’s Franchising in Africa virtual conference held in August, the role of women entrepreneurs took center stage where the results of a unique survey by Lionesses of Africa were presented – designed to provide better insights into the contribution being made by women entrepreneurs to job creation in the country. The first South African Women Entrepreneurs Job Creators Survey report provided key insights into the pivotal role women play as job creators. Top line findings from the report indicated a deep commitment to job creation among South Africa’s women entrepreneurs, with 90% reporting that job creation was an important …

Dirk Coetsee is an international consultant based in Kuala Lumpur specializing in market access to South-East Asia and is the liaison for PERNAS to South-Africa. At FASA’s recent franchise conference and in a follow-up networking event he facilitated discussions between the Malaysian authorities, the Malaysian Franchise Association, the High Commissioner of SA to Malaysia and Pernas to give South African business and franchise entrepreneurs the inside track to setting up business in Malaysia.  “In a time of disruption, it is important to explore your options. So much is changing in our world it is difficult to keep up,” says Dirk. …

The complexity of the fuel retailing sector and the myriad of issues that surround it are enough to make anyone’s head spin. For those operating fuel retail stations it’s like juggling multiple balls at once… on the one hand focusing on the challenges of the fuel conundrum in South Africa with its declining volumes and profit margins, and onerous legislation from both government and industry standards and labour issues. On the other hand balancing much-needed income streams from forecourt shops and other services with onerous franchise agreements. No other industry is as complex and as challenged as the fuel retailing …

“Recognise us… and the role that we can play in rebuilding the economy.” That was the mantra that echoed amongst the forty speakers at the Franchise Association of South Africa’s virtual conference held last week. Pertunia Sibanyoni, Chairperson of FASA in her opening said, “FASA’s virtual conference could not have come at a more crucial time as the business sector reels from not only the extended pandemic but more recently from the devastating fall-out from the recent riots. Everyone in business – whether directly affected or not – will feel the long-term effects of recent events as businesses try to …

Paying attention to red flags and getting perspectives from economists, strategists and scenario planners on how recent events can play out in the future is tantamount to being able to see the way forward in the franchise sector. Some of South Africa’s leading experts will review, analyse and recommend various scenarios so that you can plan the best way forward for yourself and your franchisees as well as your suppliers.  Everyone in your business from staff member, to franchisee, and supply chain plays an important role to a thriving economy. FASA Franchise Association South AfricaTo protect, lobby, promote and develop …

As the country staggers under the weight of not only rising Covid-19 cases and an already ailing economy, the recent rioting and looting has now taken business security to a new level that threatens us as entrepreneurs who contribute to the country’s economy, through the thousands of franchisees out there as well as for their staff and families. One such business sector to take a strong stand is the second-hand goods market, which is now being inundated with looters trying to sell stolen goods. Resellers of second-hand goods and new-goods retailer like Cash Crusaders, is on a crusade to identify looted …