Category: FASA News

After fifteen years at the helm of the Franchise Association of South Africa as Executive Director, Vera Valasis has resigned from FASA and is moving on to new challenges. She holds the distinction of being the first woman to hold the position in FASA’s 41-year existence. Her experience in franchising spans over many years – from her early days managing restaurants and in retailing – to holding the position of managing director for leading brands Milky Lane and Juicy Lucy under the Pleasure Foods banner and subsequently as MD of Debonairs for Famous Brands. Ian Jacobsberg, one of FASA’s legal …

“The Franchise industry will make a faster and better recovery post-Covid-19 than most other business categories.” With that in mind, the Franchise Association has partnered with the Sunday Times to produce its definitive Franchising print and digi-mag on the 27th September 2020 which will take a closer look at how the franchise sector has fared during this pandemic and why it is poised, as a proven business format, to bounce back and reclaim its position as an important cog in the South African economy – which in 2019 contributed almost 14% to GDP through its over 800 franchise systems and …

Among the sad casualties of Covid-19 have been the many industry associations that have seen a drop in membership due to the economic impact of the pandemic. The franchise sector has been hard hit by lockdown and many fledgling franchise brands may not survive these hard times or be faced with survival challenges or disputes with their franchisees. It is especially in these hard times that franchise businesses have the support of an industry representative that can guide them, act on their behalf, lobby government and ensure the stability, protection and recovery of this important sector that, in 2019, contributed …

Franchising has at its heart the spirit of entrepreneurship but amidst the Covid-19 pandemic that has resulted in immeasurable destruction of small businesses, the question remains whether the entrepreneurial flame can be re-ignited for future growth. The franchise sector, which in South Africa is represented in around 14 different business sectors, represents the highest and most diverse range of entrepreneurial endeavours and is the most suited to lead the post-Covid recovery. 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 …

In its quest to keep its franchise members and the public in the loop with developments in the sector under Covid-19, the Franchise Association has embarked on a series of webinars where experts and brands share their insights into how to navigate the future. A recent webinar looked at how things had changed for the franchise food sector and how important marketing and social media is to maintain customer engagement and adapt to changing trends brought on by the pandemic. Facilitated by Vera Valasis of FASA, the webinar included strategists Mohammed Ehtesham of Manthan, Ian Pearce of RAiN and Patrick …

In a surprise announcement, the Department of Trade & Competition (dtic) notified the Franchise Association of South Africa (FASA) that it was asking for comments on the discussion document relating to the publication of the Franchise Association of South Africa (FASA) Industry Code “The Code”. Welcoming the move, Vera Valasis, Executive Director of FASA has called on all stakeholders in the franchise industry to take time to read the proposed Franchise Code and send their comments and suggestions directly to government by the 15th July 2020 via email to SSasayi@thedtic.gov.za or send their concerns to the Association so that their …

Eric Parker of Franchising Plus, one of franchising’s stalwarts and a founder member of the Franchise Association with over 40 years of franchising experience gives his perspective and advice on how to handle the crisis we are facing. “It has now become evident that 2020 will be a difficult year! For you, your family and friends, your country and the world at large. We believe the best way to get through this is to focus on the 1st of January 2021 and set up plans to get through 2020. Life normally gives you lemons along the way, and you need …

As the nation hunkers down in the face of the Covid-19 threat, small businesses and franchises that make up the backbone of the economy are facing the stark reality of their situation – total lockdown, loss of revenue with the burden of rentals due, salaries to pay and other expenses to cover. Add to this the possibility of the lockdown extending beyond the 21 days and the effects of the pandemic stretching well beyond into the coming months. Plans businesses may have had for the year ahead have been shattered and emergency measures have had to be taken to simply …

Once the lockdown is in place things may become less frenetic for businesses outside of the designated essential services and now may be the best time for franchisors and franchisees to take stock of their business. According to Vera Valasis, FASA’s Executive Director “many business owners instinctively know which areas of their business they need to focus on or look for solutions to problems but probably have just not had the time to sit down and formulate a new strategy or look for expert input and advice but now is the time to address these concerns – and start strategizing …

The franchise sector, at the end of 2019, was holding its own in what was a trying economic environment. According to FASA’s 2019 Franchise Survey, sponsored by Sanlam, the franchise sector contributed an estimated turnover of R734 billion, equivalent to 13,9% to the country’s GDP through its over 800 franchise systems, close to 48 000 franchised outlets and a workforce close to half a million. Whilst the picture for 2020 will be vastly different as a result of the impact of COVID-19, one of franchising’s biggest attributes is its ability to adapt and innovate. At the start of the corona …

As at 27th March 2020 – 10am This Q&A constitutes our expectations as to how the business lockdown will take effect. It is not an official document, but intended to bring some clarity to businesses at the current point in time. 1. Are employers obliged to pay employees during the lockdown? Many employers are asking whether they need to continue to pay their employees during the lockdown. During the lockdown there will be three categories of employees: employees in essential businesses or those in non-essential businesses who perform essential functions, i.e. key persons, who would continue to work and should …

In the same way that President Cyril Ramaphosa, in his SONA speech, expounded on what was positive about South Africa whilst acknowledging the brutal realities of low economic growth, unemployment and state capture, the 2019 Franchise Survey conducted on behalf of Franchise Association of South Africa (FASA) and sponsored by Sanlam shows a sector that, after 40 years, continues to be one of the cornerstones of our economy. BUT… and it is a big BUT… if government does not act quickly in turning things around in fixing the fundamentals of the economy, the subtle cracks that the franchise survey hints …

As we enter a new decade ahead of the 4th Industrial Revolution, the focus of FASA’s 2020 Franchise Manual is ‘franchising for the future’. This informative and valuable annual publication about franchising in South Africa is now available online. Besides listing all of FASA’s members – all of whom have committed to abide by the association’s ethical standards – there are interesting articles on the achievements of franchising, the changes and challenges ahead for the sector and how the business format of franchising can adapt to any new world order. Perhaps the most dramatic change is occurring on the consumer …

The customer experience is not to be confused with customer service. Customer service is what we do and customer experience is the sum of multiple touch points which result in how we make the customer ‘feel’. We are living in an era where the customer experience plays a significant role in the success of a brand/business. It is now a topic of discussion in many boardrooms and has become a strategic measure of most business plans. If not, it should be! Lindy BarbourGraduated from the University of Natal with B.Comm in Management & Marketing. She joined the franchise industry in …

For the past forty years that the Franchise Association of South Africa (FASA) has been in existence, it has had three main aims: To promote the globally successful franchise business format to contribute to the economic growth of the country. When sanctions were biting hard, the franchise community rallied to sustain the sector by encouraging local entrepreneurs to start home-grown concepts – many today are global brands. To help grow the economy through franchising’s principle of duplication through the creation of small businesses, offering opportunities for people from all walks of life to acquire the skills to run their own …